This is the kind of movie that my parents would shut off halfway through and slap me upside the head for recommending in the first place. It’s slow, it’s introspective, it features a number of scenes with no dialogue & characters simply walking about town, and ultimately, it doesn’t have much to say… on the surface. Yes, LOST IN TRANSLATION has already become the early “critic’s darling” of the year and despite it being a darn good film, I for one, can’t say that it’s anything more than a sweet homage to Japan as seen through the eyes of two lonely, conflicted Americans, each grappling with questions about their respective existence. The film’s soundtrack, much like the one Coppola utilized in her previously overrated directorial debut, THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, is also worthy of notice, especially the way in which the songs resonated with the material. The cinematography, the whole look and feel of the picture was also breathtaking (the golf course shot was particularly divine), with many scenes in and around Tokyo, really giving you a true sense of the differences in culture as well as the alienation felt by its lead characters.
The acting was also solid, although once again, I can’t agree with most others out there, who seem to be shouting “Oscar!” for both Murray and Johansson. I don’t know what criteria others consider when acknowledging great acting gigs, but I personally need a little more than playing things “straight-face” as Murray does brilliantly throughout this entire film (although he did that even better in RUSHMORE, in my opinion).
The Term Paper on Analysis of Stanley Kubrick’s Influence as a Film Maker
... say the least. Obviously the way in which it was filmed, the film title, the name of the director (Stanley Kubrick) are ... to the shockingly accurate space-age scenes depicted within the film. This film was released an entire year before the first moon ... Modine)This comment sums up almost the entire atmosphere of the film. Kubrick films do not only seem to have characters, a storyline ...
Johansson is also good, but again, her character, much like Murray’s isn’t really emotive or challenged enough to be considered as a brilliant performance, in my humble opinion. But my main issue with the film, which like I said earlier, despite an extremely deliberate pace (read: very slow) managed to hook me with its existential theme dipped in the connection between human beings, loneliness, suffering, etc… , was its bottom line, which was a courageous approach to utilize (on the surface, all we ” re shown is two strangers meeting in a foreign city and spending some mostly frivolous time together), but not an altogether fulfilling one once everything was said and done.
It reminded me a lot of ABOUT SCHMIDT in that sense, but at least with that film, I was overpowered by the time the final shot came around and understood some of what that journey must have meant, and felt like. Here, we get a resolution, but it wasn’t a touching, emotional or particularly profound one… although I did love the “whisper.”.. brilliant! Then again, it took me three viewings of ABOUT SCHMIDT to fully grasp its deeper meaning, so who knows, maybe I was just a little slow on the uptake today.
Having said that, if you ” re the type of person (kind of like my parents), who likes their movies straightforward, fast-paced, filled with obvious plot points or greater emotional impact, I’m not sure if this “artsy” flick will sit well with you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy contemplating your existence, don’t mind sitting through a slow-to-develop “plot” about two strangers hanging out and connecting on some level or another, buy yourself a ticket to this film and discover its more insightful meaning to you. Oh yeah, it’s also got some pretty funny moments featuring Murray’s character, the washed-up actor, clashing with Japanese culture, in case you thought that it was just a dry drama. Personally, I had simply read / heard way too much hyperbole about this movie before my screening, so I couldn’t help but feel a little let down afterwards. Hopefully, my review will lower your expectations a touch and allow you to fully enjoy the piece as it was intended. I would definitely catch it again some time, hopefully with a drink in one hand and a letter to my loved one in the other..
The Essay on Stanley Kubrick Films Time Film
Last night in England the film world lost a legend. Director Stanley Kubrick died in his sleep at the age of 70. His death occurred just hours after he delivered his last film, Eyes Wide Shut, to the film studio. Kubrick achieved success in the industry through independence and this is a rare accomplishment in the film industry. Stanley Kubrick was born on July 26, 1928, in the Bronx. He neither ...
