Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant as a Dim Nightlight
Review: *sigh*I can only assume any reviewer who believed this movie was "subtle", "deep", or "intellectual" has confined themselves to "Power Ranger" and "Austin Power" movies their entire lives. To a blind man given sight, the dimmest nightlight looks brilliant. There is nothing spectacular about this film; the storyline is a rather obvious twist on the same old tried and true themes, the cinematography and editing are fair at best - the soundtrack is good, that's one point. The movie had no Earthly business being nominated for any Oscars, and Sophia Coppola had absolutely no right being mentioned in the same breath as Peter Jackson, Peter Weir, or Clint Eastwood. The fact that she actually won for best screenplay (of all things) shows that daddy Francis still wields much power in Tinseltown. Best bet is to look at some foreign and indy films if you really want to get away from mainstream Hollywood. Watch a bunch, some of these stink too. Once you have a true appreciation for intelligent filmmaking, you will understand the mediocrity of Coppola's "work".
Rating: 
Summary: Lost in Boredom
Review: I was appalled that Sofia Coppola won an Oscar for her drab screenplay. First of all, the characters were unsympathetic and out of touch with the world. Are we supposed to empathize with the agony of an actor receiving 2 million dollars for a few days work and a directionless Yale student tagging with her photographer boyfriend? I doubt many of us here have the privilege to be bored in the most expensive hotel in Japan. The stylized ennui of the whole pic was so pretentious. Scarlett's panty shots and endless staring at the window didn't elevate or convey any emotion at all. I really had to force myself awake at times when the whole film veered into an extended travelogue or a home movie. I kept on waiting for the nonexistent plot to arrive. Finally, the 'crocodile dundee' style racism showing the Japanese as one dimensional morons or subservient is really unecessary. As was the prostitute scene which was just a cheap play for laughs. Much like, most of the Japanese scenes which were the 'look at the wacky Japanese' variety with the help of Bill's snide comments. If Sofia wanted to portray loneliness and isolation, she could have easily done it without the racist undertone.
Rating: 
Summary: Vibrant & Muted
Review: Lost in Translation is a beautiful film. Sofia Coppola's 70 page script was a true exercise in self-restraint, resulting in a rich yet muted film. It's an incredibly pleasant surprise to find a film that doesn't feel the need to tell a big story, but instead to explore the nuances in a small and interesting relationship. The soundtrack is excellent, the cinematography is gorgeous and the characters are incredibly rich.
Rating:
Summary: This movie is not worth your money or time. Really.
Review: I had high expectations for this film. Its reviews were almost uniformly positive. God knows why. It has its moments, even some beautiful and touching interludes, but for the most part it is stupefying. Bill Murray spends most of the movie wearing a blank, disinterested expression, when he's not having monosyllabic conversations with his Japanese hosts or muttering into his cellphone. Scarlett Johannson spends her time trying to devise different ways to depict hanging out in a hotel room and bar. Watching a bank of hotel security monitors would be more interesting. There are two worthwhile scenes. In one, Murray and Johannson are lying beside each other, face up in bed, talking about what it's like to be married. In one of the DVD extras (Murray and the film's director, Sofia Coppola, are standing on a roof in Rome, talking about the film), Murray calls it one of the finest scenes of his career, and says it marks the point where a viewer will really become interested in the story. For me, the scene showed the film wasn't a complete disaster. The second scene is when Murray and Johannson last see each other. It's touching and well done. The movie does give an extended look at Tokyo. I finished the movie with mild interest in visiting there. Don't believe the hype. Don't repeat my mistake and buy this DVD. Don't waste your time watching it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best.
Review: This film is simply one of the best films to come out of Hollywood in recent years. Subtle, witty, well photographed and well performed. Top notch!
Rating:
Summary: A subtle gem
Review: "Lost In Translation" is a film that moves along at a slow, almost dreamlike pace. The characters often do not speak, but instead are shown observing their often confusing foreign surroundings. while this may seem boring to some, it's a joy to watch for those patient enough to adjust to the extremely talented Sofia Coppola's style of storytelling. Shot in just 27 days on a small scale budget, "Lost..." is beautifully filmed, with the city of Tokyo and it's residents front and center in this quiet little film. But it's the unlikely love story that leaves the biggest impression. Bill Murray and Scarlet Johannson are an unlikely pair of Americans (she along with her photographer husband on an assignment, he as a slightly washed up actor pitching wiskey) who stumble upon each other, and when each suffers from insomnia, begin to explore the city together. The romance, is sweet and in keeping with the rest of the story...very subtle. And while the ending may leave you frustrated, you ultimately realize it was the only way it COULD have ended. Both Murray and Johannson do a fantastic job of bringing their characters to life. and Murray, especially in the last scenes of the film, is able to convey so much... with just a glance or a gesture. It's an amazingly effecting performance, and definitely his best work to date. The extras found on the DVD are wonderful as well. The behind the scenes footage shot during the filming, is especially entertaining. My favorite moment is seeing Coppola as excited as a little girl on Christmas morning just knowing that Murray is in Tokyo, and her crying when she realizes her dream of making the movie is coming true. "Lost In Translation" proves that sometimes less is more.
Rating:
Summary: Do NOT buy this movie!
Review: This is absolutely the worst movie in the history of movie making!
I'm no critic but I do have over 300 or so DVDs and this movie is unbearable from beginning to end, the absolute worst thing I've ever seen.
Save your money for something else, anything else!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly different
Review: This movie is about mood and about the unexpected nature of life. It is about disappointment with what we have and longing for what we want. It is about sitting in a hotel bar, surrounded by strangers, in a city where you don't know a single sole. The beauty of this movie is that we see that there is hope within this lonliness, there is the potential for human connection and that that the world is really not that big afer all. If these are emotions you can't understand, don't see this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: low-key, subtle, wonderful film
Review: This is one of my personal best film I have seen in recent years. Although it is categorized as a comedy film, it is low-key and melancholic film (as you could see with the DVD package Bill Murray's face and posture). In the end of the film I had the strange feeling of both happiness and sadness - I ended up being melancholic. I wished Bill Murray would take the best actor's title at the oscars, because his acting were so natural i couldn't even notice that he was acting.
I also loved Charlotte (by Scarlette Johansson), I do find this lost girl quite attractive. Other actors were pretty good too, I think. The Race issue - I'm a Japanese myself and I did not feel that this portrayed any racism towards Japanese people. It is true that Japanese people generally can't speak English - it took me 3 months out of Japan to get rid of the problem of mixing "L" and "R" in English pronounciation. Lot of things about Japan/Japanese in the film happens in real life, and it can be funny and strange when you're not used to the culture. I never new that hype was surrounding this film, I saw the ad once and I knew I had to go and see it. For anyone looking for any excitement or exaggurated humour, you won't find it here. You will be disappointed as later part of the film seems quite boring (ie the Kyoto scene and onwards). However, it was beautifully shot all throughout the film and it told a lot of things. I would recommend this film to people who are getting fed up with popular films with extravaganza & spectacles (not that they are bad). I also hope that people who might not be interested in this sort of quiet film, might rent it and see if they might enjoy it. Give it a go.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting
Review: A wonderful brave script that completely deserves the Oscar for going against many people's preconceived notions and doing the industry thing. Those who think that who she is related to has something to do with her success should watch more movies. Sofia Coppola's father has never made a movie like this, or like "The Virgin Suicides" in his life. Both Murray and Johansson inhabit their characters. On Murray's part it's not broad comedy but just a man who looks at the world in a humorous way. Those who criticise supposed "racism" should note that Bob Harris would look at the US in EXACTLY the same way if he was back home. It's not racist to note that on balance many Japanese are shorter, just as it's not racist to note that on balance many Americans are overweight. (Unless CBS, and CNN and ABC and many others are racist against Americans). Anyway that's not even an issue. Some just didn't like this film for their own reasons, and there's an old saying "He who wants to beat a dog will find a stick." For those who have adult emotions and realize many beautiful things in life remain unexpressed and unsaid, "Lost in Translation" is an unforgettable film
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