My review on film Lost in Translation

[catnapper]

I think that I should point out that not many movies get my interest completely. I never go to the theater because I literally can not sit still through the whole thing. I fidget and get up to go to the restrooms a few times just for something to do. When we rent movies at home, I am almost always half watching while I'm doing other things - reading a book, drawing, playing solitaire... you name it. I am the person who thought Harry Potter was boring (prefer the books) and thought Evita was unbearably long - get to the point please! I swear I must have adult ADD !

[Desert Arabian]

Can't stand Scarlett...so I am not watching the movie!

[carole]

Ah now Catnapper that is why I go to the movies, because it is the only place I can sit still (sort of) and I won't leave in the middle of a movie, unless it is really bad, as I alway's hope something good might happen, now if it is a video at home, unless it is amazing, I am up and down like a yoe-yoe, always finding things to do, or that need doing, my husband is alway's complaining I never sit still, so I guess I must share your problem adult ADD lol, funny I can manage to sit behind a computer for
lengths of time though, but even then I have to get up and down. so you see you are not alone.

[2kitties]

I'm like you carole. If I do a renter, you can almost bet your savings I'll fall asleep on my sofa before it's over! lol

[guster girl]

I love Scarlett Johansson! She's becoming a favorite of mine. But, that's ok, a billion people like Julia Roberts, and, she's one of my least favorite. I will say that I think the role completely suits Bill Murray, though. It is very different from most everything else he's done in the past, but, it only makes me love him more. It's almost like when Jim Carrey did "Cable Guy." There were tons of his fans that didn't like that movie because it was a different kind of comedy, but, it's one of my top favorites of his. I love when actors step out of the pigeon hole and show that they're not just goofy slapstickers. Anyone who thinks that bill murray was perfect in Lost in Translation should most definitely check out Razor's Edge. I can't remember when it was made, but, it's a few years old. It's a drama, though, and, it is actually what made me appreciate him as an actor. Anyway, just another two cents of mine.

[carole]

Guster Girl, I Think Bill did well in this somewhat different role, but I just am not so sure it suited him, I enjoy Bill Murray, but would have liked to have seen a different actor in this role, you and I will just have to agree to disagree on this movie, like I said it was an ok movie but I just cannot for the life of me see anything in it to rave about, just MHO, what is razor edge about anyhow?

Richard Chamberlain would have been good for this role, but then again, as I admire him so much I would have been disappointed to see him cast in this film.

[guster girl]

Hey, I wasn't trying to disagree with you, per se, just wanted to put a different perspective out there for people that haven't seen it. It is absolutely one of the best films I've seen in awhile, and, I wanted to throw my review out there. But, as for "Razor's Edge", here's a quote from a consumer's review on site that summarizes the film well.

"Bill Murray is brilliantly casted in the role of the main character; a man seeking the meaning of life on a spiritual quest that sacrifices everything and everyone in his world."

NOT a fun movie, by any means, but, I loved it! It came out in 1995. It has Theresa Russell and Denholm Elliott as well.

[sirrahbed]

I totally loved the film. I do not particularly like any of the actors - but it is the type of film I like - thought provoking and intense. Bill Murray was very good in his role. Lots going on under the surface. Someone mentioned the man/woman chemistry - that was a key element and I was also hoping that they would not become sexual. I liked the scene where they had luch after his encounter with the older woman and the dynamics that unfolded between Scarlett and Bill. I loved the "whispering in her ear" towards the end. It gave me lots to think about and left me feeling good and exhilarated. Just my opinion, but I like movies without all the action and where the plot is carefully woven. MY two cents I loved it and will buy the DVD to watch again.

This one reminded me a bit of "The English Patient" and I loved that as well.

[guster girl]

I really liked when they were laying in the bed and she was curled up and his hand touched her foot. and, I agree with "lots going on under the surface".....Bill Murray was mesmerizing. I laughed by butt off when he was on the Japanese treadmill thing. But, my favorite scene is when he is having his still photos taken by the Japanese photographer and he keeps telling him to do "rat pack" and other american icons. Subtle, but, very, very funny.

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by guster girl
I really liked when they were laying in the bed and she was curled up and his hand touched her foot.

YES!! Another that gets you thinking while appearing to be insignificant and almost boring - not even noticeable but VERY important to the story - that touch!

guster girl - do YOU have in your mind what was whispered into her ear? I would love your take on that in a PM if you would like. I will give you mine!!

[carole]

Hey now that was one of the scenes I did really laugh at ,the treadmill scene, had me cracking up, so you see there were indeed parts i enjoyed, but sorry girls it was just too boring for my taste, but each to their own, I can understand people liking it, but Guster Girl you really think it was one of the best movies you have seen? gosh that statement leaves me bewildered, I Just find it so hard to believe you thought it that great, oh well, now I would like to be a fly on the wall hearing those PMS between you two lol.

[KYS]

I also found this movie boring.
(but everybody has different taste)

[guster girl]

Originally posted by carole
Hey now that was one of the scenes I did really laugh at ,the treadmill scene, had me cracking up, so you see there were indeed parts i enjoyed, but sorry girls it was just too boring for my taste, but each to their own, I can understand people liking it, but Guster Girl you really think it was one of the best movies you have seen? gosh that statement leaves me bewildered, I Just find it so hard to believe you thought it that great, oh well, now I would like to be a fly on the wall hearing those PMS between you two lol.

No need to be bewildered. It's one of my favorite movies. But, if you need to know why I thought it was so great, I'll tell you. I'll also tell you that I don't think Murray said anything related to the film into Johansson's ear in the film's final scene. That's just my take on it. Anyway, as for the film, first of all, it does take patience to watch it, but, I think boring is not the word for it. Slow paced, and, not plot-based, but, not boring. It was character-driven and dialogue-driven, which is exactly what makes a movie good to me. I thought the characters were real, and, flawed, lost, and found. The idea that these two people would probably have shared no more than a passing glance in the "real world", and, yet, share a deep, lasting connection because of their geographical location and their personal struggles is heartbreaking and beautiful to me. I could relate to the characters feeling lost and stuck in life, and, also to the meeting of a soulmate, that for one reason or another, you can never actually be with. I thought the chemistry between the two actors was phenomenal, and, hardly seen in movies nowadays. I thought the film was poignant and sad, gentle and warm, sardonic and funny, and, the ending was perfect, which I rarely feel about films. I left feeling really good, and, that's why it's one of my favorite films.

And, some quotes from reviews that I agreed with will also lessen your bewilderment:

"there are opportunities for Murray to turn up the heat under his comic persona. He doesn't. He always stays in character. He is always Bob Harris, who could be funny, who could be the life of the party, who could do impressions in the karaoke bar and play games with the director of the TV commercial, but doesn't -- because being funny is what he does for a living, and right now he is too tired and sad to do it for free. Except ... a little. That's where you see the fine-tuning of Murray's performance. In a subdued, fond way, he gives us wry faint comic gestures, as if to show what he could do, if he wanted to"

"Watch Murray's eyes in the climactic scene in the hotel lobby: while hardly moving, they express the collapsing of all hopes, the return to a sleepwalking status quo. You won't find a subtler, funnier or more poignant performance this year than this quietly astonishing turn"

"when you lay yourself bare to another and ask them to reassure you that you are unique, that the ordinary you is worthy of the extraordinary. And extraordinary their relationship becomes, a yearning, indelible love-affair-that-isn’t"

"Lost in Translation is a film about catharsis, the kind that exists outside of movies: the slow reawakening, triggered by the compassion and like-mindedness of another, that everyone craves"

Anyway, that's my opinion. I wasn't intending to go into all the details, but, since I was asked....I may not be that poetic, or well-versed, but, I loved this film.

[carole]

Thanks Guster Girl, I really appreciate your honesty, and now that I have read your comments I can understand where you are coming from, I never really looked at it in that kind of way, but I suppose one could almost agree with you on some points lol, but seriously it still was not my cup of tea, but I did not leave hating the movie for sure, as for the critics views, I rarely listen to those, I much prefer opinions from people like yourself.

You have left me with a different understanding of the movie, maybe I am just not that deep a person, and could not see what you saw, but its been interesting to say the least, I value your opinion, it has not changed my views overall, but did give me a different perspective on it and some things to think about.

It is still only a five though in my books, cheers.

[guster girl]

No worries, mate. Glad to show a different perspective. It's kindof like one of my other favorite films. Joe Vs The Volcano. When I first saw the film, I thought it was ridiculous. But, upon meeting someone who showed me a different way to watch it, and, pointed out things I hadn't seen before, I've watched it hundreds of times since. There are so many life lessons in that film that I never even noticed. Anyway, I never thought to change your view on it, just wanted to share mine. Hey, but, it's all good. I love tea, and, it's definitely my cup.