Sofia Coppola's Lost In Translation
Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation centers on the lives of two characters, Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlet Johansson). Bob is an aging actor and movie star from Hollywood, who struggles with a mid-life crisis. His visit to Tokyo is to film whiskey commercials as well as make appearances on some of the popular Japanese talk shows. On the other hand, Charlotte is a Yale graduate, who is also struggling with her life; she does not know what she wants despite being married to her husband for about two years. Just like Charlotte, Bob is also married and has been for about 25 years. Evidently, both characters are at different levels in their respective marriages, but one thing they have in common is that they have doubts whether
…show more content…
Even though the two feel a deep connection towards each other, they know that their relationship cannot go beyond what they share. Their differences as well as marriages are the major obstacles they face. In a karaoke bar, Bob sings a song with the lyrics, "more than this, you know there is nothing" (Weinberg, 2016), while he projects a somber mood looking at Charlotte. This demonstrates that to both characters, their emotions cannot develop to any extent other than them being friends. Such realization is seen to elicit a sad feeling in both characters as they had finally found what they were looking. However, they know it cannot work out in their favor. When Bob is returning to their hotel, the audience is shown the Tokyo Tower and the Bay Bridge as recognizable landmarks in the city. Weinberg (2016) notes that, this demonstrates the transformation that takes place in characters' state of mind as the presentation of Tokyo becomes clearer through the depiction of such specific features in the city. Once again, Coppola is able to expose her audience to the experiences that Bob and Charlotte go through, and what impact they have on them. Both characters appear to have found meaning in their lives, but unfortunately, it is clear to them that they cannot be together. This clarity is emphasized through the camera's focus on the Tokyo Tower and the Bay Bridge, which are presented rather clearly. As noted, Coppola wants her audience to understand that Bob and Charlotte are no longer
Even though the two feel a deep connection towards each other, they know that their relationship cannot go beyond what they share. Their differences as well as marriages are the major obstacles they face. In a karaoke bar, Bob sings a song with the lyrics, "more than this, you know there is nothing" (Weinberg, 2016), while he projects a somber mood looking at Charlotte. This demonstrates that to both characters, their emotions cannot develop to any extent other than them being friends. Such realization is seen to elicit a sad feeling in both characters as they had finally found what they were looking. However, they know it cannot work out in their favor. When Bob is returning to their hotel, the audience is shown the Tokyo Tower and the Bay Bridge as recognizable landmarks in the city. Weinberg (2016) notes that, this demonstrates the transformation that takes place in characters' state of mind as the presentation of Tokyo becomes clearer through the depiction of such specific features in the city. Once again, Coppola is able to expose her audience to the experiences that Bob and Charlotte go through, and what impact they have on them. Both characters appear to have found meaning in their lives, but unfortunately, it is clear to them that they cannot be together. This clarity is emphasized through the camera's focus on the Tokyo Tower and the Bay Bridge, which are presented rather clearly. As noted, Coppola wants her audience to understand that Bob and Charlotte are no longer