Tuesday 24 February 2009

LOST IN TRANSLATION

I just revisited Lost in Translation and remembered what a great film it is. The thing that strikes me the most is the fact that it’s different from everything that has ever been done before: not much goes on in the plot, and the characters don’t suffer from any substantial change in their lives throughout the story. Charlotte and Bob Harris meet in one of the most exotic and surreal places in the world (for us westerners); they share some food, sake, music and personal crisis, and they part. We just witness an episode in the lives of two people, with a bit of a Chekhovian spirit, only with much less tragedy and a pop background. That gives Sofia Coppola the opportunity to concentrate in the aesthetics of the film: the colours, landscapes, lights, outlines, music and situations are as postmodern yet as zen as contemporary japanese culture is. It is the perfect set for the character’s mental state: for they are both going through a crisis, stuck both professionally and personally, drifting apart from their respective companions, dubious about everything and about themselves. No decision is made during the film. Just waiting, living in the middle of nowhere, sitting still while looking out the window where the world moves fast.

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jo pe, y luego dices que no te gustan las pelis iraníes de la seminci!! Si tampoco pasa nada!! :P

1 April 2009 at 13:44  
Blogger Ilse said...

I saw the movie for the second time this week as well. I love how you described the film, it's the perfect subscription. when I read it I felt like watching the movie again!
love your blog overall. gorgeous pictures.

10 May 2009 at 09:43  

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