Deja Vu all over again
Being the procrastination expert that I am, my first viewing of Lost In Translation was in the comfort of my home as opposed to the theater. I purchased the DVD prior to having seen the film based on word-of-mouth, interest in the plot, and Bill Murray. Of course, once I had pre-ordered the DVD, seeing the film in the theater became an unnecessary $9 added expense coupled with the idea that it wasn't one of those films (e.g., Last Samurai or LOTR) that you needed a Super Dolby experience to enjoy. Rambling justification over, the bottom line is I was impressed and very satisfied with the film.

For those of you unfamiliar with the plot, it's about a twenty-something married woman (Scarlett Johansson, radiant) who has a ephemeral, flirtatious and emotionally bonding relationship with a fifty-something married man (Bill Murray, heartfelt, witty, and touching performance, well worthy of his Golden Globe win) as they are both trapped in Japan and feeling the neglect of their significant others. And that's about the extent of the plot, or as my friend summarized, "There isn't much of one."

I've mentioned Before Sunrise previously in a list of unseen movie gems, but I think it's pretty clear that Sofia Coppola has long since checked it off her list. Before Sunrise is another film about two strangers meeting in a foreign land who spend a brief but inevitably terminable time together. Exchange Vienna for Japan, a train for a hotel, beautiful architecture for concrete jungles and technology (for the most part), and throw in previous commitments and age differentials and you've got Lost in Translation. Not just the situation and charcters, Coppola's film has a pacing and restraint that feels like Richard Linklater's great work.

A difference would be the dialogue. Linklater's characters (a brash and verbose Ethan Hawke and the exquisite Julie Delpy) wax on about a great many different things, and their dialogue drives the story and spells out clearly how they get along and get to know each other. Constrasting, Coppola's script is sparse with speeches -- the scenes are brief and characters tacit, but it works just the same. Sofia (as we are on a first name basis now) accomplishes the same bonding with long shots, meaningful looks and poignant silences. Wisely, she wrote a film about people who act married; they aren't single and yappy and hyper -- they are a little lonely and melancholy and looking for connection. While it works well on screen, I think it serves better for her to get a Best Director (to pull all that emotional and feeling out of little dialogue) than for Best Screenplay Oscar. Of course, being a little independent film, and up against some giant flicks, the Academy will likely award her the Best Screenplay as consolation prize. Silly Academy. You watch.

Anyway, if you like Before Sunrise, you'll like Lost In Translation.

PS. I'm eagerly awaiting Linklater's sequel (with both Hawke and Delpy in their roles 9 years later) in Before Sunset, coming in June.

PPS. For some reason, both of these films are ones I really enjoy watching alone. Romantic, slow, and thoughtful films should either be watched alone or with someone you are holding and can just enjoy the moment. Enough said.