Akiko Takeshita, Akira Yamaguchi, Anna Faris, Bill Murray, Catherine Lambert ...( see more  see more... ) , Diamond Yukai , Fumihiro Hayashi , Giovanni Ribisi , Gregory Pekar , Kazuko Shibata , Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe , Ryuichiro Baba , Scarlett Johansson , Tim Leffman

Bob Harris and Charlotte are two Americans in Tokyo. Bob is a movie star in town to shoot a whiskey commercial, while Charlotte is a young woman tagging along with her workaholic photographer husband....( read more  read more... ) Unable to sleep, Bob and Charlotte cross paths one night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting soon becomes a surprising friendship. Charlotte and Bob venture through Tokyo, having often hilarious encounters with its citizens, and ultimately discover a new belief in life's possibilities.

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84% liked it

296,334 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

214 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Sofia Coppola

Release Date: September 12, 2003

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DVD Release Date: February 3, 2004

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Flixster Reviews (23,929)


  • December 13, 2009
    This is a finely-crafted mood piece, perhaps too vague and confused for its own good. It is a bittersweet, sensual little gem of a film but not the dramatic masterpiece its reputation implies.
  • October 28, 2009
    Had to rewatch this as Ive now been to Japan and seen it for myself, it makes the film much more believeable and touches me in a different way now, a whole new experience as I can relate to the story and the surroundings ^_^

    The thing that struck me is how accurate the film is, ...( read more)I know exactly how the main characters feel in and amongst the huge towering, crowded metropolis that is Tokyo, the strange feeling of being alone amongst hundreds and not being able to communicate, it is perfect. Coppola captures the small niches of the country and its people, how they live, eat and relax etc..its a very different world believe me and you can see this in Coppola's direction and use of locations.
    Of course the performances by Murray and Johansson are brilliant, just right and not forgetting Faris as the superstar airhead :) very good (and accurate) portrayal there.
    The look of the film is glorious of course (bring on the Blu), being filmed entirely in Tokyo and a little in Kyoto, it all looks so familiar now, makes me wanna go back. Much of the film was actually filmed live too, in front of hundreds of Japanese people who had no clue they were making a film! again that's impressive believe me, its also shows how different the Japanese are. No one batted an eyelid to the filming, they saw it as normal or uninteresting and no one batted an eyelid at Bill Murray, not a clue who he was and they didn't much care either haha anywhere else and I reckon people would stop and stare.

    A classic love tale and near perfect film.
  • August 27, 2009
    Sofia Coppola is a great director in her own right and it annoys me when people say she only got as far as she did because of her father/family. People complain about the plot and script, and although winning best screenplay for a film that depends mostly on ad-libbing is a bit s...( read more)uspicious, she thoroughly deserved the success she had. The ending with the 'whisper' is such a wonderful bit of cinema, its such a shame people can't see it for what it is, what was said doesn't matter, its the reaction that makes it so powerful. Brilliant stuff!
  • May 21, 2009
    It was kinda boring, but it had it's moments. Bill Murray was funny, and Scarlett Johansson was adorable.
  • April 3, 2009
    murray and johansson are two of my favorite actors alive today and the theory behind the film was genius, i just had a real problem with much of the execution. this film caught trendy fanfare but overall i was disappointed.
  • December 11, 2009
    Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation is a visual treat, there's no question about it, but it's understandable why some viewers are split in their opinions of the film. Sure, not much actually happens in the film, but the way the subject matter is executed is astounding. I, perso...( read more)nally, found myself drawn into the film and able to relate to both of the main characters. It's depiction of Japan, the media but most importantly, the feeling of lonliness in a hectic world, trying to find your place, are all perfect. The reason I give it three and a half stars is, for the simple fact, it was (at times) a little boring. I'd certainly watch it again but, personally, I didn't feel blown away. Nevertheless, it's still a great film!
  • December 9, 2009
    A simple and an impressive movie. Bob (Bill Murray) - hey I dunno why do they feel like they have to give a different name for the character of Bill Murray because he is quiet acting himself. You know there are so much things in common with his character.. several marriages and k...( read more)ids.. both of them are Hollywood stars- has to be in Japan for few weeks -a business trip- and he meet with young and attractive Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson). Her husband is a photographer and he is too busy that makes them impossible to spend more time together. In a foreign culture we are talking about two lonely hearts. In fact there is something weird that Charlotte feels lonely because his husband is too busy and goes business trips away for few weeks. And Bob is no more different than her husband that he is away from home for few weeks because he is in a business-trip. And they try to enjoy the time in Japan together. So innocent, so romantic and so funny. Yeah It's an affair but in a way so childish. a lovely movie so watch it !!
  • December 8, 2009
    If you liked him in Jagged edge you will love him in this.
  • December 4, 2009
    Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation" is a romantic comedy that is full of spectacles and semi-predictable twists that lie in the drama of two lonely hearts searching for each others' soul. The film was shot entirely in Tokyo, Japan, the city that is too busy; one can't imagine h...( read more)ow the romance in the film evolved. The film also stars Bill Murray as Bob Harris, an aging Hollywood movie star by which in his fortune was living the life of fame. Scarlett Johansson is a girl named Charlotte by whom Bob later fell in love with.

    It is a collection of fine photography. Thanks to the cinematographer Lance Acord who gave this motion picture a huge display of visual arts. The movie is like taking a trip to wonderful and colorful city that has kind and warm-hearted people. In the film, the Japanese were described as the hospitable and caring individuals which is common to most Asian countries. I think one of Sofia Coppola's favorite shots is when the main character is sitting on or beside a close glass window looking onto the views below. We see those in 1999 "The Virgin Suicides" where Lux (Kirsten Dunst) together with her sisters was prohibited by their parents to seeing the outside world; in "Lost on Translation" where Charlotte was having a hard time being bored and stuff.

    In his photo shoot for the commercial of "Suntory" wine, Bob was being characterized as one who is either restless or tired. It is as if he was looking for something but could not find it yet. So he continued to live the life he was gradually getting tired of. He was lonely, and that is what we can see in his eyes every time he appears. He has a wife and a child. But relating to his phone conversations with her, one can say that they were both lacking the connection. Meaning, love was slowly falling into pieces between them.

    Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) was the wife of John (Giovanni Ribisi), a top photographer who was having a project in Japan then. So being always away from home, he used to leave Charlotte alone. Career was more important to him than Charlotte whom he was married to. Charlotte was looking for love and attention. She tried lots of stuff to draw her attention into but she failed; she always felt alone with nobody to hold on to but herself. In one scene in the film, Charlotte was caught having a chat to her friend over the phone telling how bored she was. After the conversation, tears went off her eyes and her loneliness filled the air explosively. Another favorite scene of mine in the film was when Charlotte was in an amusement park watching teen Japanese boys and girls play video games; studying their antics and mannerisms closely. I think that was a clear sign that she was bored (which I do also not in a normal basis).

    It was a story of needing but not searching on purpose. Bob and Charlotte have just met, then became friends, and fell in love. They discovered things and made acquainted to each other. It was an affair not morally described but way too romantic in a sense.

    I have seen Scarlett Johansson in such films with these concepts. In two of Woody Allen's films "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and "Match Point", Scarlett Johansson's characters were with wild egotistic sides but characterized by such beauty and grace.

    One thing that made this film different from other films with the same concept is I think the romance between them was too high that they don't seem to care whether they are cheating or not. If you could still recall in Stanley Kubrick's last film "Eyes Wide Shut", Tom Cruise's character was all full of distressing guilt because of pushing forward into being unfaithful. In "Match Point", Jonathan Rhys Meyers was caught up in his own liaison with immorality. The difference between those films and "Lost in Translation" is clearly that there is no sense of guilt. The connection between them was not just lust but a true romance.

    The saddest part of the film is when Bob was about to go home abroad and seeing Charlotte and they both said goodbye. The emotions were superb but they were trying to hide those. The moment the elevator shut and seeing Charlotte for the last time was an emotional one. But wait until the end because this is where all of their feelings were revealed. They kissed and cried and smiled. Bob left and Charlotte too. It was a short-lived affair that was formed in friendship in a lovely but unexpected setting.
  • December 3, 2009
    I know a lot of people love this movie but I tried to watch it and it was too slow and boring for me.

Critic Reviews


October 7, 2003
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Sofia Coppola has made the kind of movie that I love to see most. full review

September 20, 2003
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

In Lost in Translation, [Murray] emerges as a complete character -- honourable and venal, fallible and funny, adding vulnerability to the panache. full review

September 18, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson give performances that will be talked about for years. full review

September 13, 2003
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Sofia Coppola's stealthy romance about two Americans stranded in Tokyo is a work of marvelous delicacy -- and offers the performance of Bill Murray's career. full review

September 12, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Coppola, an assured and confident young filmmaker, has crafted a small poem, about being lost and being found. full review

September 12, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Sweet and sad at the same time it is sardonic and funny. full review

September 12, 2003
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

It allows Scarlett Johansson to arrive as an actress at the same time it finally gives Bill Murray the great role that has always eluded him. full review

September 12, 2003
David Edelstein, Slate

An entrancing mood piece. full review

September 11, 2003
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

If there were any doubts left as to Ms. Coppola's abilities [as a filmmaker]... "Lost in Translation" should smash down the snickering walls of her doubters once and for all. full review

View more Lost In Translation reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • mariadiana333
    September 20, 2009
    yeah is kinda boring for people who dont know JAPAN . off is really good movie .
  • marathon232
    April 5, 2008
    This film is amazing. I also love that the track 'Tommib' is in it.
  • sweetlikecandy00
    January 11, 2008
    Ridiculous. I thought i was gonna enjoy this movie, but it ended before anything actually happened. Wouldn't bother watching it again.
  • VampireGeek
    December 8, 2007
    loved it. It was the first film that made me appreciate media.I watched it because it was based in japan and now i love japan even more.But the messages and actual film is so simple its complicated wow an oxymoron.
  • terris85017
    April 22, 2007
    Do not believe anyone who says this was not a great movie!!

    Sept. 2003 I LOVED Scarlet & Bill Murray!! Dead pan? Guess you have never spent a week across the country in the madness of a convention? or or?? What an understated talent and beautiful direction by this newcomer talen (um, Sofia Coppola)! WOW!!!!! ALSO MUST SEE THE LOST CITY to truly appreciate the talents of (Bill Murray) this now clsssic funny man (former Saturday Night Live regular!!)...and of course Andy Garcia
  • tiinah89
    December 30, 2006
    I just saw this movie and I love it!
    It was quite funny! :D
  • shavedfish
    November 5, 2006
    no one should need telling why this movie's so brilliant... it just is
  • HKBSOCCER
    November 1, 2006
    it looks sooooooooooo cute! that other stupid person that commented it is just plain weird!
  • kickassrockedychick
    October 9, 2006
    How could you love it?! HOWWWWW?!!!!!!!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Lost In Translation Trivia


  • Which foreign director did Sofia Coppola name as an influence when she won a screenplay Oscar for Lost in Translation?  Answer »
  • Lost in Translation was based in which city?  Answer »
  • She's been the older sister of a boy who's been left home alone, has been lost in translation in Tokyo, has been chosen to go to an island, had an affair with a tennis teacher and has dated a police detective back in the 40's. Who's she?  Answer »
  • What movie has Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanassan together in Japan?  Answer »

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