Rating: 
Summary: Not Lonely; Empty
Review: Lost in Translation was not about two lonely people as the first reviewer suggests; it was about two empty people. You have Bill Murray's character, who clearly is burnt out on his career and is willing to take easy money for his endorsement. He seems like many men and women, who suddenly find themselves "getting by" and perhaps wondering where they lost their zest for their careers and/or marriage. His female counterpart is at the beginning of Murray's journey, seeking self definition through religion, career and her marriage partner and has not yet found herself. We suspect she'll be Murray in another 30 years.It's actually a depressing slice of life because the film offers no answers. It makes it sound like we're all struggling along an unfulfilling path with just occasional chance good times to keep us distracted enough from leaping off one of those fantastic Tokyo skyscrapers. I'm actually hoping Murray's Harris is more numbed by the time difference than by a misspent life. Johansson did make a believable empty slate, if too empty. I would have preferred to see a slightly older actress with some personality. I would have preferred to see Bill Murray with his real life gray hair and beard. And I would have cut a few of those photographic reflection scenes that became a bit tiresome. I'd say it was an average movie and I'd advise watching it with a pot of strong coffee to stay awake, unless you're in a maudling mood, in which case you will gladly strain for every word.
Rating: 
Summary: Fastforwarded through most of the movie
Review: I am in complete agreement with Jennifer Kokoski!! This was ridiculously slow and boring. I felt the piety of the characters to be interesting, but their attempt at redemption cheap. They are sad and lonely because they think too much of themselves; and though Charlotte tries to make an attempt at being moved by the "non-complex" - it's still a cheap shot. Her facial expressions of "revelation" made the character seem all the more pious. The only "good" part of the flick is the intellectual connection between Bob and Charlotte. However, it just seemed like they were too busy feeling sorry for themselves. "Oh poor pitiful me....in a world surrounded by stupid people....and things I don't understand.....wah". Puhleeez. Sorry folks - this flick is a dud. Don't waste your money buying it. Rent it first. I'd say it's probably a "cult" like flick - and either you get it, or you don't. I think I "got it" - and I still didn't like it. My Humble Opinion
Rating: 
Summary: "I'm trying to organize a prison break..."
Review: "Lost in Translation" is a moving film filled with light humor and heart. It has comedic and dramatic elements to it, and the two play together beautifully. The film is definitely one of those that people will either love it or hate it; take it or leave it, etc. Either way, it is a film that easily stays in your head after it is long over. Bob Harris is currently in Tokyo to shoot a whisky commercial. He was once a movie star but is now reduced to doing product endorsements. It's easy to see that he isn't the most pleased with how things have gone in his life--but at the same time, he doesn't seem very regretful or overly depressed. One night in a bar, he meets a young lady by the name of Charlotte, who's also visiting in Tokyo due to her workaholic husband who's doing some photo shoots there. Bob and Charlotte connect with one another in very little time and a unique bond of friendship is formed. Whether the connection will be a short-lived or a long-term relationship is besides the point, but what is the point is those little connections we make on a daily basis and how much of a profound effect they can have on us. Like the characters and the story, the film is superbly subtle and low-keyed. The end result is a very entertaining and well-made film. Bill Murray is outstanding as Bob Harris; knowing how to be comedic without ever breaking character. I can now see why he won a Golden Globe for his performance and am happy that he has also received an Academy Award nomination (which he really deserves, I think). Scarlett Johansson is an absolute joy to watch in her portrayal of the sweet and confused "Charlotte." And even though we may not see much of him in the film, I must say that Giovanni Ribisi does a great job as being Charlotte's husband who appears to be more in love with his work than her. The movie is extremely well-directed and well-written by Sofia Coppola. What stands out especially the writing, as the conversations flow and sound real, and do not appear artificial to our ears. Coppola is great at making us see these characters as real human beings rather than fictional film characters. She really establishes what she wants in her film and how she plans to achieve it. I also love how she chose Japan as the setting for this movie, as it is very easy for one to feel "lost" as the characters do. Not only is the film a great viewing, but the DVD package is quite impressive as well. It may not have as many "bells and whistles" as most DVDs do, but it really doesn't need all of that (however, I would've liked a commentary track with Coppola and Murray). Extras included are a Behind-the-Scenes documentary, extended and deleted scenes, a conversation with Bill Murray and Sofia Coppola featurette, a music video and more. The best feature is an extended scene of Bob's appearance on an over-the-top Japanese talk show. It is outrageously hilarious, and I encourage everybody to check it out as soon as the movie is over. A downfall of the DVD is the annoying commercials at the beginning that you cannot skip, but have to fast-forward the whole thing if you desire to go straight to the menu. I thought we were beyond this once we went from VHS to DVDs. Apparently, I was wrong. Still, not a shady DVD package, if you want my honest opinion. "Lost in Translation" is a superbly done film filled with humor and a number of profound little moments. The movie is well-directed, well-written, and well-acted. There's always a chance of you not liking the movie, but that's not a dangerous chance to take. If you let hype consume you, then you will most likely be disappointed. If you're willing to be open-minded and not make any judgments until the end credits, then the chances of you enjoying the film increases greatly. A very nice and subtle movie that has more to it than what the eye simply sees. -Michael Crane
Rating:
Summary: Living in a moment
Review: I don't understand the haters of this film. What were you expecting ? Why do you need a complicated plot,and action, action, action to enjoy a film? Why hate what you obviously don't understand ,and were not patient enough to try to? I see it as being about the sublime feeling of "being in the moment", well knowing of the inevitability of it's end and it's about the need humans have for commonality with each other . This film has had a profound effect on me and maby that feeling is based on my life at the present . Maby those people that hated it haven't had "a moment" to relate to it. Doesn't matter. It's a real and SUPERB film and the ending is beautifully done. Don't rip it apart. Just feel it and if you can't, well that's a shame.
Rating:
Summary: "Lost My Attention"
Review: I can't believe this movie got so much hype and a Golden Globe Award. A more appropriate title would be "Lost My Attention" because the story moved very slowly. Certainly, Bill Murray is a really cool guy and a comedic actor whom we all grew up with. I can't blame him for this script where nothing happens. But his older films STRIPES and MEATBALLS were much more entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: If Bill Doesn't Win Oscar Than All Hope is Lost (in Trans..)
Review: No one movie will be liked by everyone. From the reviews I read, you will either love it or hate it. I will not analyze the cinematography or the "subtle nuances" like the psuedo-intellectuals do, but tell of my experience with watching this heart-wrenching, bittersweet little film. This is a simple movie about two people who are not fully satisfied with their mates or themselves. Maybe their spouses turned out not to be who they wished them to be. This unhappiness is heightened not only by the loneliness felt being in a foreign country but the unhappiness they feel about themselves. Bob is a has been actor who does not receive affection at home and Charlotte, like all young people, is struggling to "find" herself. When these two meet, there is an instant connection that makes them come alive. It's not about being sexually attracted but mentally and spiritually attached to someone. It's about these two lives being fulfilled for the one week they have each other. Your soulmate can be any age, any background. Possibly the most moving film I have ever seen, I cried at the end knowing they will never be as happy again. The most moving parts in the film were the kareoke scene when Bob sings Bryan Ferry's "More Than This" and when they are laying in bed and he touches her feet. The most disappointing is finding out that the song "More Than This" is not on the soundtrack which was for me the core of this movie. I have not been moved like this by a film in a long time. A surprising admiration for Bill Murray's acting and a definite keeper for my collection.
Rating:
Summary: Worst movie of the year
Review: At least I only rented this travesty. This is one of the most boring, contrived and pretentious movies I have ever seen. The first half hour consists of the lead roles living frustratingly dull lives in Tokyo. 5 minutes of their monotony would have conveyed the point, but no Coppola had to beat the horse to a bloody stump presumably because she was so dazzled with the lights of Tokyo. But I suffered through those 30 minutes hoping eventually a movie would break out. When the two lead characters actually meet, it appears to brighten... for about 5 seconds. Then we encunter a strange journey of characters sharing their boredom and absolutely no substance. Imagine sitting in a plain white room, with no color, and a stranger sits beside you saying "I'm bored, you?" You get almost 2 hours of this. If the lead characters had bothered to explore why they are so bored with their lives and thus grown from knowing and confiding in each other, this movie would have had a chance of meaningful existence. All we can guess (and guessing is all we can do) is that Bob (Murray) is estranged from his wife and kids (they don't even want to talk to him on the phone), reduced to pimping his acting talents in foreign tv commercials and not in charge of his life anymore. And Charlotte is neglected wife and privileged Philosophy grad who suddenly discovers Philosophy did not provide a path to a rewarding career (surprise surprise). But why has Bob lost touch with his family? What worth does Charlotte have besides being a trophy wife? What meaningful existence do these two individuals have? The movie should have answered those questions. Instead it looks more like a beautiful travelogue dazzling us with the sparkling lights of Tokyo. It's a poor attempt at Art House pretention, overrated by a Hollywood crowd that lost touch with average people decades ago. If you want a truly good soul searching story see UNDER A TUSCAN SUN instead. Beautiful scenes, wonderful acting and the true growth of a human being at loose ends in her life.
Rating:
Summary: LIKE DAUGHTER LIKE DAD
Review: Sophia Coppola deserves every ounce of credit she gets for making this fascinating yet simple masterpiece. This is great from top to bottom... from the nuanced moodiness of Tokoyo, to the understated performances, to the simple-yet-poignant dialogue. The location is a great metaphor for the state of the two character's lives and that they intersect here and how much they need each other in this one moment in time is really beautiful. There's more sensuality and passion in their brief, unconsumated relationship than the most fiery affairs and when he last sees her, the look on her face will be seared in my memory forever. You come to care about these people so much because they speak with such simple purity of what's in all of us - wanting to feel connected to someone or something.
Rating: 
Summary: This just didn't do it for me
Review: Take a good camera and cinematographer anywhere in Tokyo, and you're bound to get some striking imagery. It's a beautiful, clean, lively place. That's about all you get here, though. Director Sophia Coppola has created a bourgeois tale about lonely superstars, millionaires and dilletantes in Japan that seethes with poor-pity-me melodrama and American xenophobia (witness the endless 'L' for 'R' gags, or the the gush of verbage quickly summarized by a translator at the photo shoots). 'Lost In Translation' had a remarkable opportunity to build bridges with modern day Japan and blew them to maintain this idiotic sensibility. Aside from cinematography, the film does two things right: the soundtrack is packed with great music selections, and Anna Farris' character Kelly virtually defines the modern young Hollywood actress, with inane banter about body cleansing and the low-carb Japanese diet.
Rating:
Summary: The uniqueness of Japan & its environs.
Review: It took only 28 days to make this movie. It was a weird opening picture, especially since it was directed by a woman who won an Academy Award -- more like a man would have chosen. The whole thing was weird, especially the naked men in the bathhouse and the aggressive Japanese call girl who asked him to lick her hose. The only thing going for it was the location. Japan was colorful, lots of light and strange-looking buildings. Such a lovely pink sunrise over the bridge! They have a really super train system, ultra modern Supersonic. Even their 'el' goes faster than that in Chicago. Here we have Bill playing 'Bob' again. This Bob, however, is over-the-hill. He is portraying an aging star who is being paid two million dollars to make commercials for a Japanese liquor. It looked like Justin Lin directing the commercial. He spends most of his time in bars when he is not laying on his bed in a depressed condition. His nonchalance is the most depressing part of this flick. It has some porn with the belly dancers undressed, this scene was obscene with the lyrics which should never have passed the censors. The young college grad goes around mostly undressed when she is not following Bob. Beside him, she looks like a teen; but, like all men, he is clearly fascinated with her youth. The only good song was at the end, "So Into You" as performed by a male singer/piano player, but he is not as good as young Ken Young. The karoke singing by the three Americans in the movie per se was sinfully bad sounding like something you'd hear in Knoxville, TN or Podunk, Ind. It brought back memories of the flop of Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman out in the desert. Actually, I liked that movie better than this one. It is hard to watch an idol age. He looks nothing like the charming Ghostbuster, is twice the width of the psychotic Bob in WHAT ABOUT BOB, one of his best movies. No wonder he is dazed by the accolates this poor production is bringing. A sample of the dialogue, "You're too tall;" "Anyone tell you, 'you're too small?'" The scene in the Buddish tent looked interesting; I missed out on it at the 1982 World's Fair because of the long lines. Everyone it seemed wanted to see the monks. The Japanese culture was showcased with the welcoming committee everywhere and the crowds in the streets (more so than in Chicago) on bikes, walking under colorful umbrellas, or riding in fancy cabs. The blonde Japanese KoJo as a t.v. talk show host in his pink and blue striped suit with white shoes was something else. There was a Don Ho imitator in the Japanese night spot with weird lighting effects as demonstrated also at the World's Fair in Knoxville. There were Japanese hippies in underground and one who looked like Bobby Darrin at a party in a building which looked like Jake Butcher's bank -- the only modern place in my hometown. I think they must have the tallest skyscrapers in the world (which we built after the war), and no surface parking lots. We saw outdoor glimpses of Japanese life. The large mountain beside the golf course was impressive. Bill Murray in the tiled hot tub was a sight, talking on his cell phone. The less said about his role is best, I think. He told an interviewer that he is not organized. Neither was his character. I understand now why Bill Murray was so lackadaisical when asked about his nomination. He does nothing special, he's not even funny. When he looks in the mirror (which is often), he appears to be at least seventy -- certainly too old to be even thinking about dallying with a young woman and definitely too old to have little kids at home. He looks like I feel when getting up in the morning. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title
| 
