Flipside Movie Emporium

[cocochanel]

not quite sure about the last line in this movie, bill m. to scarlett- is it part of truly being "lost in translation" or is it legible to ears other than mine- any help is appreciated

[Danny Baldwin]

So much has been talked about regarding that line. Ebert knows all:

"I saw the film again, and closed my eyes and concentrated every aural nerve during that scene, and still could not hear a word. Apparently I am not alone. In an interview with writer-director Sofia Coppola in the new issue of Sight & Sound, she's asked, "Dare I ask what Bob whispers to Charlotte at the end?" And she replies: "Someone asked Bill, and he said, 'It's between lovers.' I love that answer."

Then she was asked if she had written lines for the scene, and said: 'I wrote some stuff but I wasn't happy with it. There was dialogue but it was really sparse. Ultimately I liked it better that you don't hear it, that you can put in what you want them to say. You wish he'd say, 'I had a great time and you're great,' but instead he says, 'I left my jacket.' That's what people do.'"
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Danny Baldwin

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[The Third M?n]

People are supposed to merely speculate, which is what makes it so intriguing. It's a scene open to whatever theory or assumption.

[the night watchman]

I don't think it's that big of a mystery. I mean, we can't hear his words, but based on her reaction and what they spoke of during their brief relationship, and their mutual concerns, I think he's probably he's probably expanding his statement, "The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you." I think he's essentially expressing his appreciation for the time they spent together, and telling her everything will be all right. And if we know that already, it's more poignant to infer his words than actually hear them.
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"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

[beltmann]

[dal738b]

I'm pretty sure Bill Murray said something to the effect of, "Can you believe that this movie is actually going be nominated for an Oscar? Talk about the Emperor having no clothes..."

I'm really not trying to be contrary, but I just really do not get it. I was bored out of my skull during this entire movie. I could not find myself caring one way or another about the characters, and honestly thought that Bill Murray's performance was mediocre at best. I have to believe that the "Bill Murray-Comedian in Dramatic Role" Syndrome must be, at least partially, what is driving all the hype. Again, not trying to be a pessimist, but I would welcome any rational opposing viewpoints.

DAL738b

[the night watchman]

DAL738b, I suppose one's appreciation of this movie depends on age and life experiences. If I've seen a movie from the last fifty years or so that's more reliant on body language and facial expression than Lost in Translations I can't think of it. Since the emotions of the characters are nearly never expressed point-blank, I think you have to have been there to understand what's under the surface. Murray and Johansson's characters are people who find each other when they most need to be found, not as a lover or guru, but as an empathizer, a listener. Both have arrived at a point where they've become detached from their lives, and they can't talk to the people to whom they are closest to work their way through it. Both need to find a stranger, someone they like, maybe even are a little attracted to, who won't judge them, and who will accompany them, if only for a small distance, through this strange point in their lives. Lost in Translation is not a movie about big events, or actions, or even clear-cut crises. At its heart, it's a movie about a brief, transitional time in two people's lives who were fortunate enough to connect with each other when they most needed to. It's also a movie about the beauty of transitory moments, and the fact that the beauty of such moments comes from their very impermanence.
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"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

[matt header]

Night Watchman,

I have not read a more succinct or beautiful summation of Lost in Translation that so beautifully sums up why it is an amazing movie. I'm still quite young (only 19) but, like anybody, I've been lost many times throughout my life; this is why Lost in Translation is so universal. It is a movie about life, about regaining focus, about contentment and disillusion. Every word of your reaction I agree with wholeheartedly.

[the night watchman]

Thanks, Matt.
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"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

[The Ringbearer]

Nightwatchman - that is exactly my feeling on the film. You hit the needle on the head. What a wonderful movie.
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[Tooky Cat]

I watched this movie just last weekend, and I'm not real sure how I responded to it. It's like I could tell that I was supposed to really appreciate, but somehow it just wasn't appealing to me. I think maybe I just don't have enough life experience to appreciate all of the story. I will say that I liked the cinematography though.
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[The Ringbearer]

You should watch it again. Lost in Translation is one of those films (for me, anyway) that gets deeper and better on each repeated viewing. You might be surprised.
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[Hawkwing74]

It is definitely slow moving...I wanted to see more aspects of Japanese culture but I guess that's just me.

Bill Murray looked so mad at the Oscars when he didn't win.

[beltmann]

Lately I've often heard Lost in Translation described as slow, and I'm baffled: To my eyes, there's always something going on. Perhaps the "plot" and "adventure" occurs almost entirely inside the characters' heads, but internal, subtle, and sophisticated is not the same thing as slow. I was fully engaged at every moment, and fascinated by the constant character revelations. Those unravel at a fairly quick clip, don't they? Slow, to me, are works like 2 Fast 2 Furious or League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which only masquerade as being zippy. They have the appearance of being fast, but since nothing really happens--not much develops between the opening and end credits--they are deadly dull and slow.
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[The Third M?n]