LOST IN TRANSLATION -- Sophia Coppola, dir

©2003
studio: Universal Studios
production company: American Zoetrope, Elemental Films, Tohokashinsha Film Company Ltd.
dir: Sophia Coppola
cast: Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Akiko Takeshita, Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe, Kazuko Shibata, Take, Ryuichiro Baba, Akira Yamaguchi, Catherine Lambert
screenplay: Sophia Coppola

A movie star with a sense of emptiness, and a neglected newlywed meet up as strangers in Tokyo, Japan and form an unlikely bond. (from IMDb.com)

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I liked this movie. I really liked the bond that was between Murray and Johansson. It was never sexual, but always the possibility, and yet a possibility that they both seemed to be wary of. However, a sexual relationship between them would have reduced their relationship.

When Murray does spend the night with a lounge singer, we see his feeling that he cheated on Johansson, and Johansson feels a little betrayed that he didn't think of her if he was looking for a night-time partner. Still, had they been together, they both would have been racked with a much greater guilt.

The ending also suggests that the relationship isn't over just because Murray is heading back to the States, but also, that it will always be more than merely friends and less than sexual or married partners.

It really is an odd relationship, but totally believable. The film captures that nebulous "more than friends, less than lovers" relationship that may be more prevalent than people care to admit. A strong friendship between two people of the opposite sex that their spouses might consder to be a "cheating" relationship, but is it?

I liked this, and I recommend it, though I can see where many might not enjoy it (there really is very little story other than following these two people who are trying to understand their own lives and their new relationship).