"Lost in Translation" - Wow

[Jack_Dawson]

It's been over a WEEK since I saw LIT, and I am still thinking about it. I think I'm in love with Scarlett Johannsen. The soundtrack is unbelievable.

[EXE619K]

1. That was an awesome movie!

It's about time Bill Murray to get that golden statue!

[Must_B_Free]

15. I saw it and could not, for the life of me understand it

to me and my wife both, it was like - "when is the plot going to start"? The only plot I could discern was that two bored people chitchiat in a bar and you wonder if somehow something might happen, but it doesn, then the movie ends.

Can anyone describe what features I can look for next time I see this film to find some interest in it? I thought it was absolutely the slowest most boring film I have ever seen.

It was almost as bad as the Steely Dan concert in Honolulu, but I wasted less money on it.

[Jack_Dawson]

25. If you're in a happy relationship

you probably won't "get it". I can't explain it...I think you either get it or you don't. Watch it again and look for the subtleties - they are everywhere.

[stopbush]

44. Maybe that's why I didn't get it. Happily married, not feeling at all lost

I've traveled abroad but never to a country with such a language barrier. My trips have been to Europe and I always bone up on the language beforehand. Were I sent to japan, I might feel out of place, but I'm sure that I could make it work for the few days that Bill Murray was there.

But there's a lot of movies I don't get. I never understood how Ordinary People won a best pix. I had to stifle my laughter throughout Poltergeist while the audience I was with seemed scared to death. American Beauty was, IMHO, a huge waste of time.

I love Bill Murray and I'm a big fan of foreign and off-beat films. But this one lost something in translation for me.

[stopbush]

40. Same reaction. What a disappointment!

So much anticipation. I loved "Swimming Pool" which was also put out by Focus.

LIT was WAY much ado about nothing.

[darkstar]

53. Weird

Saw Swimming Pool last night and have LIT on tap for tonite/tomorrow (Mardi Gras week in S. LA.) Swimming Pool was a head scrather and in my opinion, to slow to get rolling. I uually don't come down on movies for that--in fact admire 'em--but this was all one character traveling, setting up, writing etc.

Got any takes on the ending? My wife and I had one upon credits but then she and I slept on it and had converging theories today re: scar, mom stuff, old novel, etc.


This thread will be dead by the time I get to LIT, but if not, I'll make sure and kill it.

[Jack_Dawson]

55. Swimming Pool

What was up with the ending? Guess she wasn't what's-his-face's daughter after all? Lettuce know how you like LIT.

[darkstar]

58. Well.... (spoilerish, to be sure)

at first we thought it was all "the writer's experience" from some point onward. But there we so many "loose ends": Julie's scar from an accident, the novel left, the dead mother aspect, the crying for mommy scene, etc.

We both went to bed thinking it was all in her imagination as a writer inventing it all. But today we think it was her experience--still nobody there but her--but that it was some ghost-haunting thing, perhaps, i.e., the girl who showed up was the ghost of the mother.

Either way, too perhaps a bit too clever, IMO.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

59. Cool Avatar.

Be Seeing You.

[Jack_Dawson]

62. So DarkStar how'd you like it?

[soleft]

2. What is it that your thinking about?

[Jack_Dawson]

3. Eveything

The chemistry between Murray and Johannsen. The cinematography. The opening sequence. "It's Santori Time". I just thought the whole thing was masterful.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. Kevin Shields deserves some recognition for the soundtrack.

[morningglory]

5. I recommend it highly to anyone. n/t

[Love Bug]

6. I had a similar reaction

It took weeks to get that movie out of my head. I loved all of it.

[Superfly]

7. Wasn't that impressed...

[otohara]

17. Bored to Tears

looks, stares, silence ...great footage of Tokyo though.

[Must_B_Free]

20. Thank you

me and my wife too...

But surely there must be something going on there on a level we're missing. How could it be so well acclaimed? Dod we see some other movie than the others saw? Cause the one I saw was so slow and boring and plotless I was ready to leave several times. I was so relieved when it finally was over and I could go.

Now, One Hour Photo - there s a film!

[Wickerman]

8. A near perfect film

and its given me a new yardstick of which to measure someone's Film IQ. If they say they hated it, I know I don't need to listen to them very carefully. If they hated it because it had no plot - I know I don't need to listen to them at all.

[Superfly]

10. I didn't like it...

Just wasn't a big fan...sorry.

[Wickerman]

27. Well, I'd come to you for gun advice

but not movies :P

[Jack_Dawson]

29. LOL

[Superfly]

31. Or advice on movies, starring guns?

[Wickerman]

61. certainly

if the need arose.

:thumbsup:

[tishaLA]

39. I agree with you 100%

[Loonman]

9. Shoulda got a statue for "Rushmore"

I've sneered at the Oscars since then. Murray should have gotten Best Supporting Actor.


:mad: :nuke:

[tridim]

11. I can't wait to see it again

I loved everything about it.

I've never seen something as simple as teeing off be so beautiful.

and yes, Scarlett Johannsen is the cat's meow.

[AlinPA]

12. I'm a Bill Murray fan. Didn't care for this movie.

[gulfcoastliberal]

13. For a Comedy it Isn't Funny...

Me and my GF were really disappointed.. I ran out and bought it based on all the hype and it was a real letdown. Count me and the GF as non-fans of this one.

[indigo32]

16. I'm thinkin it was never meant to be a comedy

but I wasn't that impressed with it either. I mean yeah I understood the characters... and I'd agree with posters sentiments about Scarlet Johannsen :loveya: :loveya: ... but I just didn't think it had that much to say.

[Jack_Dawson]

18. Did you say comedy?

No wonder you were disappointed. Were you expecting Meatballs II?

[otohara]

19. Pretty Sure Murray Won Best Comedy Actor

Golden Globe - no need to insult

[Jack_Dawson]

21. "Best Actor - Musical or Comedy"

But he's up for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the Oscars. LIT was definitely NOT a comedy, although there were some comedic elements. I'm not sure it fits neatly into any category.

[oregonjen]

14. Could totally relate to it!

I've lived in Japan single and married and sometimes you can get lost in a sea of people and neons! Loved this movie. My husband, who is Japanese, loved it too!

[Champion Jack]

22. Watched it last week... I don't get it , sorry

Good performance from BM, The girl was good, but, what was it about?

[Jack_Dawson]

23. I think you either "get it" or you don't

I can't really explain it...

[Brotherjohn]

33. I can explain it, but that still really doesn't help one "get it".

It's about two people who are, quite simply, lost. Not in Tokyo, but in their own lives.

They are both trapped by circumstance in what is basically an alien world. This distance from their everyday lives allows them to take a truly objective look at their lives, their marriages, etc. (as does the friendship of someone in a similar situation).

As to "getting it", I guess you have to have been or know someone who has been in that situation. Yes, it was slow. Yes, not much overtly "happened". But under the surface of these people's lives, very much happened indeed.

[oregonjen]

30. Having experience in a foreign country helps.

If you find yourself in a foreign country, finding companionship with someone from the same country as yourself helps you deal with all of the cultural differences. If you have lived or visited a country very different from your own, I think, this movie speaks to you.

[Champion Jack]

46. Thanks, I have indeed traveled and lived in a foreign country

I still, however, didn't care for the film.
Doesn't mean it's good or bad, just didn't work for me.

[otohara]

60. My Experience In Japan

I could relate to Carrie on Sex In The City more than Bill in LIT... that feeling of OMG, I thought I wanted to live here. Not being able to speak the language is a drag.

[Hand]

24. One great line from BM...

Re having children: "You realize that life as you know it is over and you're stuck with these people. Then you see that they're the most delightful people you could ever want to be with."

That's roughly it; really memorable moment!

PS I liked the film, my wife didn't. DISCLAIMER: I'm half Japanese-American and could understand some of the spoken Japanese and read some of the neon signs, etc. Also lived in Tokyo for a year a long time ago, so understood some of their reaction. You can't read the simplest signs, you don't know what anyone's saying... very groundless situation.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

26. I think a lot of people were...

turned off to it because it didn't have a pat, Hollywood ending where the boy gets the girl. I like that the relationship remained platonic. Any more romance would have ruined it.

Good film. Didn't haunt me like "The Virgin Suicides" did. I really like Sofia Coppola's films. Not to mention, she's a looker.

[Jack_Dawson]

28. I very much appeciated the cliches it avoided

It was a perfect ending for me. Leaves so much to the imagination.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

35. I like how it showed that...

not all love has to be consumated to be legitimate.

[musiclawyer]

32. See, how things just get lost in translation

This is a completely different movie than Eyes Wide Shut. But it's the same in terms of response. You either get it or you don't. Multi-textured film targeted towards the thinking person... in this case who has lived a little bit, who has been abroad, who has been married, or no longer is, for the just married, for those who've cheated, or thought about it, and for those who really know good music. Watching Bill Murrey sing (badly on purpose) "More Than This" by Roxy Music, was surreal and moving. I bet you whoever did not like this movie has never even heard of Roxie Music. ....And I rest my case. Who ever said it was a comedy. It defies category, it's artsy, it's progressive, and it works. Pure Genius. I've seen it three times, going on four.

[Jack_Dawson]

34. You and I could be great friends

Exactly my point. You either get it or you don't.

[tridim]

38. It's like Joel Hodgson said

about his show Mystery Science Theater 3000, "Some people won't get it, but the right people will."

I can't stand Hollywood endings and formula plots, LIT had none of that. It was simply art, and it was beautiful.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

36. I'm a big Kubrick fan

but I thought that "Eyes Wide Shut" was a mess of a film. Maybe its me, but watching this whole urban despair of being together but disconnected is equivalent to observing a train wreck. At the end of "EWS", I felt that both Cruise and Kidman got what they deserved. They both acted on prurient desires and expected that they would come away unscathed. Maybe Kubrick was going for an accountability lesson. Anyway, the film was creepy and disappointing.

However, I really like the Roxy Music cut in "LIT." Coppola couldn't have picked a better song.

[DrWeird]

37. Some of the comments here remind me of the two guys at the bar.

Out of this guy's whole career, the only thing they remember is a car chase scene.

I guess if it doesn't have car chases and explosions, it doesn't have a plot.

It just occurred to me, I wonder if this has anything to do with the ending sequence.

[On the Road]

41. I Think You're More Likely to "Get It"

if you've ever felt alone and disconnected. Especially if you've felt that way within a marriage or relationship. Especially if you've had the experience of making contact with someone unexpected in the midst of that.

There was nothing wrong on the surface of either Murray or Johannsen's marriages, but they were both deeply troubled within.

[ELduchiVONpoopyBARON]

42. Lived in Japan for 2 1/2 years....

and let me tell you, they completely nailed what it's like to be a Gaijin AKA foreigner in Japan. Loved the movie, thought it was brilliant. My wife who is Japanese also loved it.

[skippysmom]

43. Really liked it

It's a film that sticks with you. Beautifully shot.

[tedoll78]

45. At the end (spoilers)

I cried like a baby when he hugged her. Probably one of the sweetest cinematic moments all year long.

[Dookus]

47. hrmm...

I've been alone and disaffected for long periods... spent some time abroad.... LOVED Eyes Wide Shut...

Hated Lost in Translation. A big nothing of a movie, to me.

[Ramsey]

48. I think I "got it"

I've been lonely and I've been in relationships that I knew would or should end. I've been in countries where I didn't speak the language and didn't know anybody. I like plenty of movies that are about characters and don't have much plot. I've not only heard of Roxy Music, but love them and have all their albums.

Even so, I didn't think this movie was all that. It WAS draggy, and not just because it was about character. These characters were solely adrift and they never did find anything to bring them back to shore. Of course they shouldn't have a romance, that would have been absurd. It's the least of what I expected. There wasn't any chemistry and there wasn't any epiphany. You didn't get the sense that these people were going to do anything about their suck lives. That annoys me.

Murray did a good job, I especially liked the scene where he is trying to imitate all the old Hollywood gods for the overbearing commercial director, and the scene where he sneaks by his Japanese entourage.

It was a nice little film, but not Oscar caliber IMHO.

[Jack_Dawson]

49. Wow

That's a real head-scratcher. :freak:

For some reason the movie "spoke" to me and I'm not one who employs cheesy metaphors on a regular basis. However I appreciate your well-articulated thoughts.

[Ramsey]

50. That's cool

To each his own. I am sure there are films that I love that many people would find unwatchable! But this thread has inspired to watch "Lost in Translation" again, perhaps with a new eye.

Maybe I'll like it better this time!

[Jack_Dawson]

51. That is very open-minded of you

And quite admirable. I would encourage others to do the same. Instead of "waiting for things to happen" - just enjoy the cinematography, subtle character development and the MUSIC! It's haunting and beautiful.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

54. Roxy and Bowie? What are you, insanely cool, or something?

I doff my hat, maam. And perhaps later, I shall do the Strand.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

57. You know it's a foreign country when they prefer Moore to Connery.

How could anyone?

[mitchum]

52. Donald Trump gave it two short thumbs down:

"But he didn't get it on with the young chick!"

[Screaming Lord Byron]

56. I think you get it if you wear it like a coat, rather than watch it.

It's an ambient movie, something to lose oneself in. In many ways it was very much like a Wim Wenders movie, and I think that's one of the shiboleths about the film. It's non-narrative, a picture rather than a story, we are not express told about these characters and who they are, we are invited to guess.

Sorry, I think I was channelling Marshall McLuhan there.