This study into the unfathomable depths of human relationships has more honesty than 95% of the movies I have seen this year.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:214
Fresh:203
Rotten:11
Average Rating:8.4/10
Consensus: Murray gives one of his best performances in this expertly crafted mood piece.
Theatrical Release:Sep 12, 2003 Limited
Box Office: $44,566,004
Synopsis: Sofia Coppola's second feature-length film focuses on two guests at a Tokyo hotel--Bob (Bill Murray), a middle-aged actor in town to film whiskey commercials, and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson),... Sofia Coppola's second feature-length film focuses on two guests at a Tokyo hotel--Bob (Bill Murray), a middle-aged actor in town to film whiskey commercials, and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), the young wife of a trendy photographer (Giovanni Ribisi) who is always out on a shoot. When Bob isn't on the job taking fragmented direction from the Japanese crew, he's receiving faxes on home decorating from his emotionally distant wife. And while her husband is away, Charlotte spends most of her time trying to motivate herself to do more than look out the window at Tokyo's urban sprawl. So when the two meet in the hotel bar, they strike up an unusual friendship, one that provides a welcome escape from their boredom and loneliness. With LOST IN TRANSLATION, Coppola cements her reputation as a thoughtful and inventive filmmaker. Every element of the movie is pitch-perfect, from the dreamy, atmospheric score to the expertly timed editing to the lingering shots of the characters and the city. Most importantly, Coppola's minimalist script allows Murray and Johansson to give astonishingly moving yet subtle performances as people who are lost in the limbo of a foreign country, but find each other for comfort and companionship. Both heartbreakingly sad and hilariously funny, Coppola's LOST IN TRANSLATION is that rare movie in which everything is in its right place. [More]
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris, Fumihiro Hayashi, Yutaka Tadokoro
Director: Sofia Coppola
Director: Sofia Coppola
Screenwriter: Sofia Coppola
Producer: Sofia Coppola, Ross Katz
Studio: Focus Features
Get This Movie
Reviews for Lost in Translation
Writer/director Sofia Coppola has crafted a mood poem about isolation in a strange environment and the temporary relationships that linger in memory that can be born there
Sofia Coppola developed the concept from a sketchy four-page outline into a 65-page script, which left lots of room for improvisation. And that's what's brilliant here. Patiently, she trusts her actors and cinematographer Lance Accord.
Coppola -- who wrote as well as directed -- gives Murray room to stretch and is rewarded with some remarkably melancholy clowning.
A lovely, loopy modern-day 'Brief Encounter' that has the wisdom not to push too hard or linger too long.
Lost in Translation is a witty laugh out-loud tale of friendship. Coppola breaks through and stands firmly at the edge of her future.
Johansson is lovely and funny and sarcastic and sincere, and Murray is nothing short of great.
The film's greatest strength comes from its sad wisdom about relationships and the way its protagonists recognize how precarious their connection is.
You'll think. You'll laugh. You'll be marvelously entertained. And you'll be touched.
Attractive and pleasant as it is, there's no escaping the impression that it feels like an overly hip exercise in soul-searching for those who thought American Beauty really did “look closer” at life.
Lyrical and deeply touching...as intimate, humane, and heartfelt as any love story this year.
In only her second feature, Coppola has made a poised, intelligent film that nicely balances laughs with a poignancy rarely seen in American movies.
This tedious vanity piece is enlivened only by the charm of its leading man, Bill Murray
Like a favorite and enthralling CD soundtrack that takes you places magical.
The film’s characters see their every disaffection hauntingly reflected onto the sounds and landscapes of the city they inhabit.
Coppola's technique of trusting the actors to find and deliver their moments scores big in telling her story and overcoming its deficiencies.
By the conclusion of the story, you'll think of the strange and sometimes amazing relationships you've had during your life.
Latest News for Lost in Translation
November 13, 2009:
James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
James Schamus might be a workaholic. If it's not enough that he's the head of Focus Features -- the independent imprint of Universal -- he's also an established producer and... More...
September 07, 2009:
Five Favourite Films with Richard Curtis
Richard Curtis has a plan. "What I've decided is to choose recent films," he explains to RT. "I do think that often people get stuck in always saying the five greatest films of... More...
December 21, 2007:
The Weekly Ketchup: Dark Knight Trailer, Peter Jackson Back On Hobbit, Terminator 4 Plot Details
In this week's Ketchup, those who missed the Dark Knight intro at the IMAX get a nice consolation prize, Tolkien fans can rest easy as Peter Jackson makes peace with New Line,... More...
December 14, 2007:
The Secret of the Lost in Translation Whisper Unlocked
Ah, the wonders of technology. First it gives us the remote control, then the Roomba -- and now, it's been used to solve one of the most impenetrable riddles in all of modern... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 24% 24% | G-Force |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
| 63% 63% | Extract |
| 06% 06% | All About Steve |
| 78% 78% | It Might Get Loud |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Lost in Translation at Rotten Tomatoes
- Lost in Translation at IGN
- Lost in Translation at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



