Lost in Translation

A very nice film. Gentle. And the characters in it don't act like they always do, but become people, real people. I was drawn into their midst. I didn't want to be a bystander. I wanted to walk around Tokyo. A city I long to visit. For all that, I'm simply forced to give it full stars. I just want to, and that's it. Because this film is first and foremost “human". All I can do is recommend it for viewing. (07/03/2009)

Yes, this movie is not bad in my opinion... However, it is by no means as good as the enthusiastic applause of critics and some viewers would suggest. Lost in Translation arrived at the right time with a style that was in demand. Viewers and especially critics were simply tired of high-budget productions packed with digital special effects and action and longed for a more civil, cultured expression. It is not a comedy in the true sense of the word, there are few purely humorous situations, and if they do appear, they are the ones that bring a smile to the lips, certainly not laughter. Much more than that, it is an unfulfilled love story between unequal partners without a real perspective. The film's strengths lie in the performances of the main pair and the script, which draws on knowledge of the film industry and Japanese culture. On the other hand, I have seen much stronger films on a similar theme and did not find anything exceptional in this film. Some scenes are so drawn out that they can even be boring... It gets a weak 4 stars from me and an overall impression of 70%. (13/08/2007)

A very nice story. Amazing acting (Bill Murray gives the performance of his life). If your mood was hovering around freezing point before seeing Lost in Translation, afterward you’ll be at pleasant room temperature. It’s the kind of movie that puts you in a good mood and makes for a better day. You’ll probably also have a sudden urge to fly to Tokyo to play a round of golf. At least I did. ;-) (09/10/2007)

I was very curious to see how Sofia Coppola fared and I was looking forward to her top work so far. And I have to say I wasn’t disappointed. The film beautifully depicts the contrast between the usual, to which our heroes have been accustomed all their lives, and the exotic Japanese jungle, where their lonely souls seem far removed from their awkward and tormented bodies. Bill Murray is terrific, utterly convincing and charming as the bored movie star, and I have to say that he probably deserved the Oscar more than Sean Penn did for Mystic River. Even Scarlett Johansson, in one of her first big roles, proved that she’s not just a pretty face, but an extremely talented actress, and that she’s a more than capable co-star for the great Murray. It is the two of them, and the perfect chemistry between them, that greatly contribute to the flawless direction and make Lost in Translation one of the most enjoyable films ever made on a similar subject. There wasn't much missing, and even I was swept away to a full review. (23/10/2012)

"It's Suntory time..." Melancholy in its purest cinematic form. Scarlett is wonderful, but the clear driving force of the film is the incredibly natural Bill Murray. Sensitively filmed and with an absolutely great atmosphere that completely absorbs you and does not let you go until the closing credits. (22/01/2007)