Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation (2003), is the sophomore writing and directorial effort of Sofia Coppola (after The Virgin Suicides), and stars Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, and Giovanni Ribisi.

Translation is about culture shock between east and west and the more general alienation of individuals in the modern world. Murray is an American movie star in Tokyo to film a whiskey commercial. In the downward slope of his career, with a wife who calls frequently not to actually talk to him but to get his opinion on floor samples for remodeling, Murray finds himself in a city and culture beyond his comprehension for reasons that he has trouble remembering. Johansson is the young wife of a Rolling Stone-type photographer, also in Tokyo for her husband's job, and also wondering where she is and what she is doing, and who the man that she married really is. Her husband (played by Ribisi) has more time for the young starlets that he is there to shoot than for her, and so Johansen and Murray, both lonely and lost, happen to meet each other in their hotel lounge and immediately strike up an unusual friendship. Drawn together by their mutual unsatisfaction and alienation, the two experience the stranger side of Tokyo nightlife, playfully exploring the foreign city and finding comfort in relating to each other when nothing else in their lives seems to fit.

Boosted by critical acclaim and audience word of mouth, this modest feature film (with only a $4 million budget) became a comparative box office hit. Translation is considered an early Oscar contender, not only for Coppola's script and distinctive directing, but especially for Murray, who by most accounts gave the performance of a career. Johansson (only 17 at the time) also received notice for her strong performance.