Lost in Translation (2003)

In the wake of the announcements of the Oscar nominations, a certain unassuming film going by the name of Her, looks destined to be a surprise, yet justified inclusion for Best Picture category. But great similarities can be drawn to a film that predates it by 10 years, Lost In Translation. Yes both include similar themes of two ‘lost souls’ finding each other, but ultimately each is inherently, superbly and wonderfully unique. And certainly it’s no coincident that both use the same actress in Scarlet Johansson and directors Spike Jones (Her) and Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) were in fact married at one point, show that each has been heavily influenced by the other. Lost in Translation is set into the neon lit, beautiful land of the rising sun, were two individuals from two completely different sides of the social spectrum converge in the in Japan for dissimilar reasons on the surface but beneath, it’s a desperate last ditch attempt at for two lost souls to find something they have been looking for but can’t find. For Bill Muarry (Groundhog day) a middle aged actor, well past his prime, Japan provides him with one last chance to make serious money before the uncertain twilight years of his career, as well as his marriage, which you feel he has grown disillusioned to come to an end. Whereas for scarlet Johansson (Avengers), a woman in her mid 20’s yet to find her true calling in life, so when her husband is given an opportunity to photograph there, she takes an ideal opportunity to find what she’s been looking for, meaning. Both character look for it, but none of it are found in Japan, but might be found in each other. Writer/director Sofia Coppola shows relatively matured assuredness for a director relatively young and inexperienced in her directing career; although to be fare, she was born into a family where film is almost second nature; with her cousin being Nickolas Cage and her father being Francis Ford Coppola. It is plain to see that she inherited the talent for amazing character studying from the later, although unfortunately her carer since with only highlight being the recent Bling Ring, it has showed us that she may never really come out from the long shadow of her father. But let’s remain focused on the Positives, Lost In Translation was a phenomenal film and should be no surprise to know it earned Sofia a Oscar for Best screenplay, as well as making her the first ever female American director to earn herself a Best Director node – a fete only outdone by Katherine Bigalow who won the award in 2009 for Hurt Locker. I felt that the film was a finally painted portrait on compelling characters in a place so foreign yet so familiar, which Copploa gently with a brush, was able to add a beautiful tint of honest emotion in both Bill and Scarlet, because just like in Her the relationship is one based completely on emotion, without the need of a physical connection, as in the film they only share on kiss , but because of this and not despite, it allowed me so grow more and more engaged with their thoughts, feelings and action with each passing minute. A truly lovely film.