Lost in Translation: Zwischen den Welten (2003)

Lost in Translation: Zwischen den Welten: Directed by Sofia Coppola. With Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Akiko Takeshita, Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe. A faded movie star and a neglected young woman form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo.

“Few movies make you THINK long after they end. Thatu0026#39;s OK. Movies are supposed to entertain and most do so without requiring even one ounce of thought. Itu0026#39;s sad that maybe some of you out there prefer movies- and life- that way. Thankfully this movie is all about thinking and feeling. This is not a chick flick. Itu0026#39;s a human experience flick.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis film examines and lays bare the intricacies of love, life and loneliness; the claustrophobia, insomnia and disorientation of traveling to a foreign country. The loneliness that creeps in after lifeu0026#39;s normality starts to wear thin. The spark of promise that meeting someone new brings. This is what life is about and what this film so flawlessly portrays.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHow many of you can relate to and have actually been that guy/girl on business, in the hotel in some foreign city, happily married yet feeling alone and beaten by lifeu0026#39;s banality? How many of us have been tempted in that very situation, to stray from the confines of moral adherence for the lure of a forbidden, if fleeting, joy? How many have felt that tingle- that spark- when a stranger smiles and you think, u0026quot;you know, in another life…u0026quot;? Change the time, place and all of us have been there whether we admit it or not. Maybe single people donu0026#39;t get this movie; maybe itu0026#39;s for those of us who have walked down that aisle and are wiser to the realities of life.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe characters here are true. Their dialog is true. The setting is true. Itu0026#39;s all tirelessly fascinating because we can all relate to it and it involves us in a way that most movies do not. We find ourselves drawn to every moment these two experience together and apart. We are intrigued by the glances, nuances and words they share.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJohanssen is brilliant and beautiful as the lonely, young wife questioning her marriage. Her beauty is classic, not necessarily sexual, though she is obviously alluring in this role. Her bee-stung lips, perfect body and haunting eyes may have something to do with that. Still sheu0026#39;s more sophisticated beauty than mindless hottie, even at 19. This is a role tailor-made for her. It could never have been Reese Witherspoon or Jessica Alba or – God forbid- Jessica Simpson, or anybody else in that realm.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMurray is simply at his best. He does u0026quot;exasperated, middle-aged and depressedu0026quot; better than most, with his receding hairline and frumpy body. You really believe that these two could connect in a physical and emotional way, as remote as that may seem on the surface. What other 50-something could ever be believed to be appealing to a young woman as pretty as Charlotte? Thatu0026#39;s a tough chemistry to fake and I canu0026#39;t think of a more perfect pair. What drives them to this attraction is whatu0026#39;s intriguing to watch.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGo see this. Turn off your u0026quot;Major Blockbuster-Tom Cruise-Action-Pop Culture Catch Phrase-Big Staru0026quot; mind and tune in with a more searching self. Watch this with your soul and heart, not your eyes. If you look deeper than the surface youu0026#39;ll find yourself moved by the whole experience. Yes, itu0026#39;s THAT good.”