By Thomas Hogge, Y12
In the past, whenever I was asked what my favourite film was, I’d first respond with the annoying “I don’t have a favourite film” line. Then, after being justifiably shut down for giving such a boring answer and being asked “Well, if you had to pick one film, what would it be?”, I’d say Lost in Translation. I recently realised however that the last time I had seen my supposed favourite film of all time was a couple of years ago, and that through conversation with other people about Lost in Translation, I had forgotten a fair bit about what happened in it (this is not to say the movie is forgettable; it’s just that my small brain and I have problems recalling the events of films I’ve seen 2 years ago). It was for these reasons that I decided to rewatch Lost in Translation this week, and did so rather reluctantly, as I feared I would not like the film as much as I used to and had therefore been lying to all of my friends and family for the past year or so.
It is with much relief and joy that I can now say that I have not been dishonest to anyone about my favourite film. Lost in Translation is, in my eyes, a masterpiece.
The film is set in Tokyo, and stars Bill Murray as a faded Hollywood star of years passed shooting an advert for Japanese whiskey and Scarlett Johansson as the wife of a famous photographer on business in Japan. As far as the plot goes, there really isn’t much to say, since the film’s story is based entirely around the two main characters’ interactions with each other and the new environment they find themselves in. In most cases, a film with such a simplistic plot would almost certainly come across as pretentious and boring, but somehow Lost in Translation manages to be entertaining, emotional and charming despite lacking a proper plot. This is thanks in no small part to the amazing direction and writing of Sofia Coppola. She does such a good job at writing believable and relatable characters that you become so attached to that you don’t even need a plot in order to be entertained; watching the characters Coppola has created just live their lives is extremely enjoyable in and of itself.
There is no doubt however that Lost in Translation would not have worked had it not been for the amazing lead performances from both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The silent existential suffering that both of them are able to portray is painfully convincing. The entirety of this film’s success lies in their performances, and when nothing less than perfection would do, Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson were more than able to deliver. To put it simply, Sean Penn is in possession of Bill Murray’s Oscar
The cinematography and overall look of the film is breathtaking, and compliments the setting of Tokyo perfectly. The way in which Tokyo at night is captured is gorgeous, and the various scenes in the hotel that have the backdrop of the city skyline are stunning. There are plenty of notably long shots that linger with no dialogue that if placed in any other film would feel awkward, but because of the mood of Lost in Translation, it just works.
Speaking of mood, another aspect that greatly contributes to the feeling and overall greatness of Lost in Translation is the soundtrack. A vast majority of the songs have an ethereal, dream-like quality, and they all accompany the visuals so perfectly in a way that only music could. Whether it’s the song that plays as a sleepy Bill Murray is being driven to his hotel right at the start of the film (Girls – Death in Vegas), the My Bloody Valentine that accompanies another night driving scene, or The Jesus and Mary Chain right at the end of the film, Lost in Translation has one of the greatest soundtracks in all of film history.
I can now say with confidence that Lost in Translation is my favourite film of all time.
