2003 has not been a great year for lighter films. My favorites of the year include Mystic River, Cold Mountain and The Magdalene Sisters, none of which are particularly comedic. That's why it is such a relief to see a film like Sofia Coppola's Lost In Translation, a beautifully touching, funny, charming look at the relationship which develops between two people out of their element. Slowly our two main characters, Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), both undergoing life crises, meet and forge a relationship in their Tokyo hotel. Bob is an actor sleepwalking through a whiskey commercial for an enormous amount of money, Charlotte has accompanied her feckless photographer husband on a shoot. Both feeling increasingly detached from their significant others as well as the world in general, the confusing and different backdrop of Tokyo only exacerbating this. Although unlikely friends, they form a close comraderie through various escapades in the city. Coppola succeeds in making their relationship entirely believeable, and the equally youthful and mature performances of Murray and Johansson adds to their powerful chemistry. The two are simply a delight to watch onscreen, Bob's deadpan humour playing perfectly off of the arch and enchanting Charlotte.
Lost In Translation is just one of those films that's so enchanting, you don't want to end. But when it does, it achieves a rare emotional power for what is a simple romantic comedy, and ensures its place in your memory for a very long time. One of the best of the year.
*****