Lost in Translation (2003): A Masterpiece

Released in 2003 or the 9th January 2004 in the UK to be exact. Meant at that point I was only 16 years old and in my first year at college. Although I am not fully sure the first time I watched Lost in Translation, maybe later in 2004? So I was possibly 17 and quite frankly I did not like the film on that first viewing. BUT that makes sense now really in hindsight at that age nothing at happened to me and it wouldn’t be until years later that I would make a full connection with this film and fully realise just how much of a masterpiece it really is.

Nominated for four Oscars and winning one for Best Original Screenplay for Sofia Coppola, she was also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture with Ross Katz, Bill Murray was also nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. It does leave me wondering why Scarlett Johansson was not Oscar nominated. BAFTA awarding both Murray and Johansson Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role awards!

My recent rewatch of the film is due to heading to Tokyo in seven weeks time and I thought this would be the perfect film to watch in the build up to my trip. It also makes me want to visit that bar in the Park Hyatt Hotel, where the majority of the film was completed. The production to filming in Tokyo was rather impressive (yes, I also watching the documentary on making the film). So hopefully I can add that location on my list of places to visit and maybe even an attempt of my feature “Recreating the Movie” but that will depend how busy it is. Along with the Starbucks!

Loneliness is not really something that we actually think about all that much when it comes to others, it might be something you feel a lot yourself but don’t really then go on to talk about it. Well, Lost in Translation was highlighting way back in 2003! It is done in the best possible way as well, using the cultural differences to really show just what the characters are going through. Bob and Charlotte are both from different generations, yet both are so damn lost. Being in Tokyo this is shown even more as they struggle with the language and differences to their lives in the US,

They may find each other at the right times and be able to help the other just as they need it, and really it wasn’t a full blown romance or anything like that. I mean until the moment they say goodbye nothing was sexual between them. Then that kiss happened and kinda blew your mind really as it hadn’t been going in that direction. Although the whisper as well, which in all honesty was the reason back on my first viewing to hating the film. Now though older and wiser I realise what a genius and incredible move that really was, we don’t need to know what he said because we can decide for ourselves. It also means that depending on your mood, or how you change your views on different aspects of life you could also change what you think he said and that is the brilliance. Although with enhanced audio it is believed to be “Promise me, that the next thing you do, is go up to that man and tell him the truth.” I actually like changing what it is myself!

Just another example of how actually talking and getting to know someone who is older/younger is that you might just get some good advice. Although being stuck and being told it doesn’t get any easier isn’t really what you would like to hear, it is at the very least honest! You could though be warned on what not to do, in terms of then making the same mistakes. In terms of the characters and the the film it leads to some adventurous moments where they really manage to explore and that is always reassuring to see.

Within the film we get some amusing moments which really help to highlight just how much Bill Murray owns the film and it is easy to see how Sofia Coppola wrote the role specifically for him, she had even stated that if he did not want to do it then it wouldn’t have been made. His comic timing is always spot on and he manages to get away with the sarcastic moments that blend so nicely into the gorgeous script.

An incredible aspect of it all is that you actually do need to have an idea of what you want and if you know that, having goals/aims/targets/ambitions that you need to go for them. Making sure that you have less chances of being upset. I guess that is all easier said than done but hearing that within a film is reassuring, especially if it is during a time in your life where you are stuck and feeling so lost.

Honesty. Saying out loud that you are actually going to miss someone, I mean surely that is one of the best things you can be told? That you will be missed. Well, maybe someone staying with you would be better, but you get the drift and direction I am heading with that comment. All of these different aspects for me show just how much of a masterpiece the script is in terms of the characters developing a meaningful relationship in such a short space of time.

The way the film looks as well is so good and the fact that they filmed it in only 27 days and went for it at different times with the shots in the middle of busy Tokyo was totally ambitious and rather outstanding. This might be something to appreciate more in the making of documentary, but the way you get those special shots is so good to watch. As the majority of scenes are within the hotel, which as I mentioned earlier I am hoping to experience for myself during my Tokyo trip. 🇯🇵