Saw “Lost in Translation” last night, and it confirmed all of my beliefs about Tokyo/Japanese culture as being intriguing, beautiful, overwhelming, porno-friendly and too video game/alternate-reality friendly. Anyway, any irritation I may have felt during the film may have come more from wearing 4-inch stiletto boots which I had to take off half-way through, then any true cultural insights. But, back to the movie--it was like a strange cross between “High Art,” “Midnight Cowboy,” and “Hiroshima, Mon Amour.” The cinematography was great (as Davidde was quick to point out), and Bill Murray was fantastic. Normally, Sofia Coppola is my #1 Celebrity Nemesis, but for the duration of the film I could forgive her for being the daughter of one of the most celebrated directors ever, the wife of one of the hippest directors ever, the cousin of one of the most annoying actors ever, and the muse of one of the coolest designers ever. But, again, back to the movie. . .
Bill Murray is like the emotional version of Charlie Chaplin. Everything crosses his face, and so quickly you can barely perceive it. And, at the same time, you just want to laugh. He is the epitomy of Sad Clown. All said, I walked out of the film feeling kind of sad—probably because it is a rumination on loneliness. But, of course, there are some absolutely hilarious scenes too. I just happened to really feel the sad scenes. There is this one great scene, where Bill Murray and “The Younger Woman” are laying (lying?) in bed next to each other, and she’s talking about how unsure she is of her life and what she’s doing—and it’s just really brilliant, because it just nails that whole feeling of isolation and trying to share it at the same time. She remarks, “But I’m so mean” to which he responds, “That’s okay.”—I can relate, sister! To make a long story short, the whole time they are curled up next to each other, only her foot is touching his leg. And it’s all awkward silence, and then he just touches her foot really lightly, and it’s just perfect. We’ve all had those moments when it’s super-late and the conversation is lagging because you’re completely exhausted, but not too exhausted, and you’re just not sure what to do, and you know you want the person to touch you, but you’re still not sure, and then it just happens and you know, and it’s a fantastic moment. The last time I saw something that awkward and honest on screen—and not just some huge make-out scene with no beginning and end—was in “Jesus’s Son” with Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton. If that’s not enough, it’s got the whole mis-translation theme, which is great (Jenn, go see it now!) And, of course, the whole loneliness and separation from anything you are familiar with—which I can completely relate to after a year without a phone or familiar faces. So, in a rare moment of surrender, I lay down my “Nepotism Sucks” flag and give a kudos to Ms. Coppola for making a really interesting and touching film. Tomorrow, I raise the flag once more.
I want my gossip! - 2005-08-17
Goodbye, BGT! - 2005-08-08
hell hath no fury like a awriting workshop - 2005-08-01
My Love Don't Cost a Thing - 2005-07-14
Kiss My Grits! - 2005-07-06
