Lost In Translation
Three years ago, Lost in Translation would have changed my life, or at least altered my perception of it.
Have you ever taken a vacation to try to figure out life, to escape where you are and determine where you might want to be, and/or how to get there? Thatís what this movie was, from the moment you arrive in the hotel to the time you are driven away in the taxi to the airport, smiling about your trip and filled with emotion of all sorts about going back home.
Scarlett Johansson not only played a bigger role than I expected in the film, but was perfect as a counterpart for Bill Murrayís character. When she wanders Japan during the day, she chooses to go to very spiritual, natural, beautiful environments. She observes people, takes in their subtleties. It occurred to me at one point that she may be jealous of them, that so many of them seem to have figured out their place in the world while she was still so utterly confused about hers.
Murray was terrific comic relief, and while I didnít feel like the role was particularly a stretch for him, it was certainly a great fit for him. When I mentioned to Mo afterwards that he played the role of mid-life crisis man very well, Mo said he didnít think it was so much a mid life crisis as just a man who is very lost in his life. Maybe. I felt a lot of pain whenever he talked to his wife on the phone, imagining all the years and events (or lack of events) that led their relationship to the place it was. I see that so often in real life, and am reminded of it so much in movies and television, that I am very careful to nip any hint of stagnation or ìtaking for grantedî in my marriage in the bud. Marriage is hard, but thatís part of what gives it such tremendous value. And childrenÖ Murray tells Johansson in the film that kids change your life so it is never the same at all, but then they walk, they learn to talk, and it seems like he doesnít regret having children in the slightest. It was interesting that he and his wife had such a young child ñ this made me wonder if that one was to try to save what marriage the had left by connecting them back together as an ìusî for a while.
The fun part of writing a review about this film is that I canít really give anything away. Donít get me wrong, it has an ending, and it is one I am very satisfied with. In fact I will say that this might be a spoiler you should avert your eyes from:
As he is walking away from saying goodbye to Scarlett for the last time, and they both smile and laugh, it was the most emotional I felt during the whole film, as though they had both realized there was still hope, that all was not lost, that there was indeed a chance they could be found, and that they had somehow given each other the ability to see that a little. I donít know, others may have had a totally different experience, but I left the theater generally uplifted.
But hereís the thing. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone, especially those who enjoy slice of life stories as much as me, where when people ask you what it is about you canít possible do the answer justice because what happens in the movie externally isnít at all the point. The movie is about life as a human, or at least a little corner of it. Itís a piece to a bigger puzzle. If you are lost, if you need to be found, this movie will mean a lot more to you. I could recall at times points in my past when certain things connected, when I identified with this or that, but Iím justÖ not lost anymore. Between my faith and my marriage, I have two incredibly strong rocks to hold me firmly in place. I know who and where I am, and Iím not in a hurry to leave there. But if there is someplace else you want to go, someone else you want to be, and youíre trying to figure it out, this movie might help.
Of course, so might a trip to Tokyo.
Addendum note: check out the soundtrack if you get a chance. It takes you on a similar journey as the movie, and unlike the movie, you don't have to pay $6.50 to take the journey again and again.
Great movie. I had a lot of fun… The relationship between Bob and Charlotte is so romantic… touching. I’d recommend it to everyone.
Posted by: Lola on October 15, 2004 02:42 PM
