Sofia Coppola's 'Lost In Translation'
Kallen Hake
Professor Samra
Lite 216:01
November 27th, 2013
A Whisper in Time Hollywood has desensitized us to the point where we expect two leading characters of the opposite sex to end up in the eventual steamy, bed sheet churning scene that leaves us feeling incredibly underwhelmed and emotionally cheated because, after all, we knew it was going to happen. In the 2003 romantic comedy Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola drops us into the city of Tokyo and introduces us to Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson). Two lost souls just trying to understand their respective situations who find solace in each other and perhaps something more. However, instead of the usual and predictable, Coppola serves us a commentary on relationships that defies conventionalism and leans more towards realism. Through her use of character development and a superb storyline all set to the backdrop of one of the most chaotic cities on earth, we begin to understand what two people can mean to each other during a sliver in time that lasts for an eternity. We are quickly introduced to Bob and …show more content…
As Bob is leaving the hotel for his flight home, he calls to Charlotte 's room to ask her to bring his jacket down to him. She shows up and they share a short and cordial goodbye, leaving neither of them obviously satisfied. However, as he is being driven to the airport, he spots Charlotte walking amongst a crowd on a street and orders the limo driver to pull over. In a series of wide open shots, he approaches her and as they embrace lovingly, he whispers something inaudible into her ear and then share a passionate yet platonic kiss as they finally part ways. As the song “Just Like Honey” by The Jesus and Mary Chain plays in the background we hear the lyrics “Walking back to you... is the hardest thing that... I can do” and we finally break free of our Hollywood brainwashing and understand what
Professor Samra
Lite 216:01
November 27th, 2013
A Whisper in Time Hollywood has desensitized us to the point where we expect two leading characters of the opposite sex to end up in the eventual steamy, bed sheet churning scene that leaves us feeling incredibly underwhelmed and emotionally cheated because, after all, we knew it was going to happen. In the 2003 romantic comedy Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola drops us into the city of Tokyo and introduces us to Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson). Two lost souls just trying to understand their respective situations who find solace in each other and perhaps something more. However, instead of the usual and predictable, Coppola serves us a commentary on relationships that defies conventionalism and leans more towards realism. Through her use of character development and a superb storyline all set to the backdrop of one of the most chaotic cities on earth, we begin to understand what two people can mean to each other during a sliver in time that lasts for an eternity. We are quickly introduced to Bob and …show more content…
As Bob is leaving the hotel for his flight home, he calls to Charlotte 's room to ask her to bring his jacket down to him. She shows up and they share a short and cordial goodbye, leaving neither of them obviously satisfied. However, as he is being driven to the airport, he spots Charlotte walking amongst a crowd on a street and orders the limo driver to pull over. In a series of wide open shots, he approaches her and as they embrace lovingly, he whispers something inaudible into her ear and then share a passionate yet platonic kiss as they finally part ways. As the song “Just Like Honey” by The Jesus and Mary Chain plays in the background we hear the lyrics “Walking back to you... is the hardest thing that... I can do” and we finally break free of our Hollywood brainwashing and understand what