Lost In Translation
When you first start drinking your taste buds probably aren't properly developed. You try and drink alcohol that tastes as similar as possible to the soft drinks you're used to. You drink cider or alcopops for example.
When you first start drinking your taste buds probably aren't properly developed. You try and drink alcohol that tastes as similar as possible to the soft drinks you're used to. You drink cider or alcopops for example. As you mature you progress to lager and shorts. You may then decide you have a taste for wines. As you become more cultured and sophisticated your palate can distinguish a fine wine from a bottle of Aldi's finest. This film is like a beautiful glass of fine Port. For the sophisticated it is paradise but for most it will be just too rich for them to stomach.
Bill Murray is Bob Harris. Doesn't play him he just IS Bob Harris. It was the role he was born for, and was written for him apparently. Harris is a seventies movie star who has been offered two million dollars to promote a Japanese whisky brand. He is alone in a country which is alien to him. Scarlett Johanssonn plays Charlotte, a young bride accompanying her husband (Giovanni Ribisi), who is working there. She plays her role beautifully and it is very difficult to believe she was nineteen when this film was made.
Whilst this film has romance and comedy it is not a rom-com. Bill Murray is not Hugh Grant now is he! This film deals with emotional development of its characters. How Harris deals with the fact that he is no longer on the A-list, how he deals with a marriage that has gone stale, mid-life crisis round the corner. Charlotte has recently left university and like many people her age is struggling to find her vocation in life. She’s in a marriage where she seems to have less and less in common with her husband.
There are moments of comedy in this film, which will linger in the mind for many moons. When Harris shoots the commercial it is comedy genius. Murrays' facial expressions are second to none and half the time he doesn't need to say a word to have you in fits of laughter. When he does the photo shoot and an interview with Japans version of Graham Norton (on speed and helium possibly) is also classic stuff.
The scenes between Murray and Johansson have real chemistry. Although there is an obvious age gap they just seem to hit it off. It is almost like they are soul mates. It is the scene on the bed, which makes this film different from any other. They are both talking about their lives and how difficult they are. It would have been easier to stop talking and start making love but they both resist.
The disc is widescreen 16:9 and the picture quality is excellent. The director and cinematographer have obviously gone to great lengths to make this picture look beautiful. The sound is Dolby Digital 5.1 and is excellent. The impressive soundtrack to the film is well looked after here.
The extras are a bit of a mixed bag. 'Lost on Location' is a thirty-minute behind the scenes featurette. I quite enjoyed this as it gave you an insight into what shooting a movie actually entails. From all the little superstitions before hand to all the day-to-day problems you can encounter.
Bill Murray and Sofia Coppola interview should possibly be called Bill Murray with Sofia standing there! There is obviously a lot of affection between the two of them. Sofia comes across as very shy and perhaps Murray is doing the talking so she wont have to. A nice piece but not outstanding.
'Deleted Scenes' has several scenes from the movie that were either removed or reduced. No commentary so we don't know why, so not much use really.
'City Girl' video by Kevin Shields is a music video of a song that features in the film.
'Matthew's Best Hit TV' is the hyperactive host with the least who interviews Murray in the film. This is an extended version of this interview, shown as it would have gone to air if it had been real.
In summary this is a film to savour and rejoice. If you don't like it yet, relax in the knowledge that in years to come you will love it.
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