Lost in Translation: Accurate portrayal or not?

[Red Floyd]

I've recently read an article in the New York Times talking about the recent Japan boom in American movies today and whether these films accurately portray life in Japan. I'm not sure how many of you have seen it since it's not out in Japan yet, but Lost in Translation is one of the best films I've ever seen and the article brought up some info on how the Asian community in America is split on their feelings about the film.
So I decided to get the straight deal from the people that would know best. So for those of you that have seen Lost in Translation and have lived, or are currently living in Japan, I was wondering how you feel about the film.

[Taro Toporific]

SURE! It's "accurate" if you stay as a tourist in a $2000/night hotel room with $3000/night hooker.

Seriously, does not show enough concrete and puking salarymen. Read the threads "Japan as depicted by Hollywood in 2003" by
gkanai Mon Jan 05, 2004 http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5568&highlight=translation
and "Lost in Translation - Anyone else seen this?" by Gaisaradatsuraku!http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4621&highlight=translation

[Taro Toporific]

I wonder what the so-called "racist" elements of the film are? "Matthew" is real J-TV comic and the "Bill Murrey and the midgets on the elevator scene" is something I played this morning as every morning.

[jim katta]

Red Floyd,
I've seen the film, and I don't understand how this is such a good film to you (and many critics). My film taste is VERY diverse and I especially enjoy indie movies, even if they are slow paced and muted. But this film is, in my opininion, absolutely nothing special. Let's forget the whole "did they get japan right" argument, and just deal with it as a film. As a plain old film, it just isn't anything special at all. Please, seriously, tell me why this is "the best film you've ever seen".

[Red Floyd]

Red Floyd,
I've seen the film, and I don't understand how this is such a good film to you (and many critics). My film taste is VERY diverse and I especially enjoy indie movies, even if they are slow paced and muted. But this film is, in my opininion, absolutely nothing special. Let's forget the whole "did they get japan right" argument, and just deal with it as a film. As a plain old film, it just isn't anything special at all. Please, seriously, tell me why this is "the best film you've ever seen".

Lookin' for a challenge, eh? Well lets take a step back and take a look at some of todays other romantic comedies. Oh wait, you know what? We can't because the genre is DEAD. They've become nothing but a series of processed wastes of celluloid and show no creativity what so ever. LIT breathes life into a film style killed by Julia Roberts a long time ago. The viewer is completely transported from their palce of being (which may not be all that far for some at this forum) into a completely different world throgh use of some of the best cinematography I've seen in a long time. The views of colored lights seem to stretch beyond the ifinite. The pool scene made a brilliant use of camera work by portraying visualy what Bob's going through mentaly by skewing our perspective through water.
Not to mention LIT has one of the best soundtracks I've heard in long time. A brilliant combination of atmosphereic mood music, pop stlyed tunes, and unbridaled creativity.
I can go on and on, but I'm realy not in the mood to go over every aspect of the film. Tell me what irked you in particular and I'll get back to you.

[electrocat]

i think Red Floyd was dead on.

i would like to add some other things i liked about this movie.

Bill Murry. His was one of the best performances of the year. We all know bill murry and what he can do. But this was performance was about what he didn't do. He was reserved. He didn't take his role over the top as he usually does. He didn't act like a monkey. He used comic relief when it was neccessary.

The camera work was great. I loved to see that low budget shaky camera shots. The kind that reminds us that this is real. Yes the colors were amazing.

But the whole film has that dreamy feeling. Its always nighttime in tokyo. We feel the insomnia of the characters. We really feel how lost these characters. Lost in the culture, lost in their marriage.

Just a couple nice touches on the screenplay. Bill Murry could have had an affair with the girl. He doesn't. Everything was right about it, far away from their spouses, yet both had feelings for each other. He instead gives her a kiss on the cheek in the elevator. And the best part was when he wispers in her ear. We can't hear him. Instead of some stupid hollywood one liner, we can only imagine what he tells her. Its their secret.

The brilliance is in the subtle details. If you look beyond just a head talking, you will see how great this movie is.

[jim katta]

I can tell I'm in danger of being labeled an insensitive brute, so let me say for the record that I took a woman to the theater to see "The Piano" when it came out years ago and "she" fell asleep while I was totally engrossed. So I can watch a subtle, slow paced romance with no problem. Okay, now about LIT...

To me, it's not a romance movie. There's not even one kiss (I don't count a peck on the lips at the end). I know, you might say, "it's a subtle film, don't be brute, you don't need sex to have romance". True. But even if we're talking about an unrequited love plot, LIT doesn't really go there in any meaningful way. In fact, one could just as easily read it as a (somewhat risque) Uncle / Niece relationship. At no point did I have a feeling of "oh why don't they just hook up". No. It was clear that these two people were not a potentially hot and heavy item. Anyone who reads that into the film is fooling themselves. There just wasn't that kind of chemistry there. It was more like an Uncle / Niece thing. The whispering thing at the end...I was totally NOT overly curious to know what he said. He didn't say anything profound throughout the entire film, why should I as a viewer expect/think that he said something profound (or even romantic) to her when he whispered??

Bill Murray. I'm an ardent fan of the old school Saturday Night Live, and out of all the actors on that original show, Murray is the one guy who never got a laugh out of me. I think his best work was YEARS ago in "Caddyshack". In LIT, he basically just shows up and smirks at everything/everybody. Hey, if you're already a big fan of his, then I guess that's enough for you. But for me, I need more to consider him worthy of a freaking Oscar.

A recent note come up regarding the Oscar. LIT is considered for Murray and for the screenplay. Well, you know my feelings on Murray. As for Coppola and her screenplay, according one of the film staffers, almost all of the witty banter from Murray was adlibbed (including the karaoke song). Considering that there's not that much dialogue in the film to begin with, I think if Coppola gets a screenplay Oscar, it's just a nod to her father. In fact, I think this whole thing is hype based on her priveledged background (and the presence of Murray in an unconventional role). This film is neither profound or groundbreaking.

Interestingly, I think the theme of LIT is "disconnection". Disconnection from your spouse, your career, your country, the foreign place you're in, etc. Ironically, the film accomplishes the feat of the theme by being disconnected "itself". So, if I judged the film as a concept art piece in a Warhol gallery, I think it did it's job (but remember Warhol's films weren't very watchable). But as a real film (read: story/plot/good acting/meaning/entertainment) it falls far short of anything worthy of an award.

If ANYONE deserves an award, it's the cinematographer Lance Acord for his ability to shoot Japan well. As for directing, just like her first film "The Virgin Suicides" this film is light on plot, acting, and heavy on style. A little rich girl with a famous name made a pretty film, and everyone is eating it up. Thank god Spike Jonze, a real director, is divorcing her talentless ass.

[electrocat]

expectations.

The difference between this movie and all others last year (i should have said that in my previous comments that i am juding it by '03 standards not all film history) are expectations. There are some japanese cultural cliches but the plot itself is not. That is why i liked this film. I saw a woman feeling lonely and attracted to an older man. I saw a man who wanted to feel young and in love again (and as a man, in sex again). Yet he holds out. He does what is right. Even though he hates his life/marriage, he holds onto his promise and respect. He is in love/lust with this girl. And yes i was expecting him to wisper "if i was was a different person in another time, i wouldn't leave" (or something like that) yet coppola desides to let them have something only those two people can share.

this is one of the better movies of 03. Will it stand the test of time? probably not. There are many much greater films than this one. The filmmaker did a very good job with a movie that doesn't play into our expectations.

this is the first movie i have seen by her. Yes shes probably a filmmaker because of her father and because she is rich, but she had a good teacher.

[Taro Toporific]

... whether these films accurately portray life in Japan.

It's too accurate.Ithink.

. Lost in TranslationNZ Herald inverview / 05.02.2004
Acclaimed director and famous daughter Sofia Coppola talks ... about family, Tokyo and how her new film really isn't about her own failed marriage...
...We turn to the character of the hotel bar singer, washed up and torturing Scarborough Fair.
..."She's the real singer in the bar," points out Coppola. It's my turn to look incredulous.
"I know," she smiles. "It was a little bit delicate, but I thought she was a good sport about it."
If the satire in Lost in Translation is unflinchingly sharp, Coppola can do subtle, too. The timid love story between Charlotte and Bob is tender, poignant and mercifully chaste. "It was more about those relationships that you have that are more than friends but less than a love affair," she ... gives me a look all arched eyebrows: "So no, there was no sex scene that we cut out for the DVD."

[cstaylor]

the Asian community in America is split on their feelings about the film

Nah, they're FOS anyways. Perhaps they should spend some time in Japan before they start discussing race issues.

[gpvillamil]

Did anyone else find it weird that in the film, the taxi goes from Shibuya (karaoke) to Shinjuku (hotel) by going over the Rainbow Bridge?

[Caustic Saint]

Did anyone else find it weird that in the film, the taxi goes from Shibuya (karaoke) to Shinjuku (hotel) by going over the Rainbow Bridge?

Nah, he was on an expense account. Probably asked for a scenic ride back to the hotel.

It also seemed that he took a rather indirect route to Narita at the end.

[Molokidan]

I love Bill Murray, and I love Japan.

So I think that's why I really loved the movie.

For me it kind of dragged at the end, because I'm not really into romance, and just wanted to see more gaijin gags, if the movie was more like the first 30 minutes of it at the end, it would easily be on my top 5 favorites. It kind of went into a more emotional drifting feeling towards the end, and while that was nice and enjoyable, I much preferred "SUNTORY TIME!!"

[AR]

The movie is a great looking movie for a low budget production. It is interesting to see how well they capture the Tokio life, showing pretty much all the icons that charaterized it (karaoke, arcade, etc). Just for that only reason I'd give the movie a A-.

But it also was a well made movie. A movie that reflects the feelings of two people who have their own problems, who for the circustances meet in an unknown place. where the strangeness of the place brings them together closer to each other. I think those feelings can be felt for any foreigner in Japan. and that is what brings the movie to a more close and personal state. it is not the Hollywood magic that only happens in the studio but is more the reality that could happen to any of us in a place different from our own.

I liked it a lot... over all I'll give a A

[Big Booger]

I finally got around to seeing this. It was good. I think it was an accurate representation. I think is it perfect.. no. Is it funny, yes. Can you relate? If you have lived in Japan, I don't see how you couldn't.

The "wip my pantyhose" bit busted my gut.. LOL That hoe was crazy.

I think it was enjoyable. Glad to see Ribisi looked rather Japanesy especially in those shades he was wearing at the beginning.

I think Sofia C. captured her vision of Japan and fit quite a bit of culture into the film.. Some of the Japanese characters were a little off the wall... but then there certainly are some wacko TV personalities and regular joe blows in Japan without a doubt.

I liked the translation bit at the beginning.. I have seen that first hand.. they say a long rant in Japanese and the translator mentions 1/8th of the info..

Sorry to chime in on this so late..

[Captain Japan]

I finally got around to seeing this. It was good. I think it was an accurate representation. I think is it perfect.. no. Is it funny, yes. Can you relate? If you have lived in Japan, I don't see how you couldn't.

At the beginning, the interpreter stuff, the meishi handouts, and the elevator ride were absolutely perfect. I take an idential elevator ride each morning.

The karaoke stuff was nearly perfect, especially the crappy reverb on the Roxy Music song.

Some stuff was an exaggeration, I'd say, but I think Sofia's got some real balls for putting this together. I get so damn tired of all this friendly people/safety country bullshit that gets tossed around all the time.

I just really liked the whole darn thing. But as Taro was saying, more concrete and puke would have certainly given it a more genuine feel.

[Alcazar]

I finally got around to seeing this. It was good. I think it was an accurate representation. I think is it perfect.. no. Is it funny, yes. Can you relate? If you have lived in Japan, I don't see how you couldn't.

I thought it was great, I also really liked the relationship aspect between Bill Murray and the girl.

[Big Booger]

I finally got around to seeing this. It was good. I think it was an accurate representation. I think is it perfect.. no. Is it funny, yes. Can you relate? If you have lived in Japan, I don't see how you couldn't.

I thought it was great, I also really liked the relationship aspect between Bill Murray and the girl.

I wonder if they will do:

Totally Lost in Translation... the sequel LOL

[japslapper]

I watched "Lost in Translation" a few weeks ago in London ...together with an available J-bird. I thought not a bad movie. It is a fair insight for anyone who would want to be an armchair FG without leaving home. Same as National geographic does for the Sahara.


The thing that suprised me most was the same shock that I had when I realised Mexico has no Olympic team (anyone that can run, jump, swim is already in the USA...that is)......

That actress...Scarlett whatever......wow . I change my perseption/persperation?? about (some) American women. That movie actually changed my idea that yellow=nice whitish= not nice. I will go to America- I think ( cannot believe I am saying this...... )

[Caustic Saint]

I wonder if they will do:

Totally Lost in Translation... the sequel LOL

Gawd, let's hope not. The fact that it all worked so well once pretty much guarantees it won't work well again.

[Big Booger]

I wonder if they will do:

Totally Lost in Translation... the sequel LOL

Gawd, let's hope not. The fact that it all worked so well once pretty much guarantees it won't work well again.

Yah, that is my take on it exactly. I doubt they will.. but the way hollywood works, it seems every film is up for a sequel.

[Caustic Saint]

I wonder if they will do:

Totally Lost in Translation... the sequel LOL

Gawd, let's hope not. The fact that it all worked so well once pretty much guarantees it won't work well again.

Yah, that is my take on it exactly. I doubt they will.. but the way hollywood works, it seems every film is up for a sequel.

You couldn't be more right. Here's some of what's coming out this year:

Dawn Of The Dead
Scooby-Doo 2
Walking Tall
Mission: Impossible 3
Shrek 2
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
The Chronicles of Riddick
The Stepford Wives
Shrek 2
Spider-Man 2
Mad Max: Fury Road
Alien vs. Predator
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
The Mask 2
The Ring 2
Ocean's Twelve

Is there so little original thought left in the movie industry that we need that many sequels, prequels and remakes?!?

[Taro Toporific]

I=...the same shock that I had when I realised Mexico has no Olympic team (anyone that can run, jump, swim is already in the USA...that is)

Come on now...
"Osama! Osama!"

That movie actually changed my idea that yellow=nice whitish= not nice. I will go to America- I think ( cannot believe I am saying this...... )

Think again.
]

[Ptyx]

I can't be a fucked gaijin and at the same time apreciate LIT.
Those poor people in their Hotel suite wondering when their life did go wrong. That girl wondering if she want to be "a photographer or a writer" while i wonder if i'm gonna be a waiter or a low paid foreign langage teacher.
How can i identify with those people ?
I want my gaijins dead drunk, freezing to death in 17 square meters apartment cause they're not allowed to buy a proper heater, the place might go up in flame if they do.

Concerning the great cinematography here's a clue, any city shot from a car with some My bloody valentine music in the background will look stylish.

[hanasims]

I can't be a fucked gaijin and at the same time apreciate LIT.
Those poor people in their Hotel suite wondering when their life did go wrong. That girl wondering if she want to be "a photographer or a writer" while i wonder if i'm gonna be a waiter or a low paid foreign langage teacher.
How can i identify with those people ?
I want my gaijins dead drunk, freezing to death in 17 square meters apartment cause they're not allowed to buy a proper heater, the place might go up in flame if they do.

When I think of elitest problems as shown in Lost in Translation, I think of the Kate Hudsons of the world. She basically called americans slobs and uncultured morons, but did she have to work her ass off as a child for a skateboard or bicycle? I do not think so. I am sorry all of us average americans can't vaca in Paris every summer. I loved the movie, but I hate the elitest propaganda. For some reason actresses like Kate Hudson think we should be grateful that they pave the way for our lifestyle. If I wanted to be ignorant about other people's life experiences, I would put down people in a different country at least. The struggle is what makes us interesting, too bad some people never get to experience it. They end up with such a shallow character and then slowly kill themselves when they realize the rest of us have better things to do then idolize them.

[mr. sparkle]

i loved lost in translation. it's up for like a gajillion oscars. this is almost as cool as when eliott smith went up there and sang "miss misery" on oscar night, but not quite. sofia is not quite the FG type, she never lived in a 6 mat pad and froze her ass off as someone earlier mentioned.

saw it here in SF when it first came out. one thing that was really outstanding was lance acord's cinematography. talk about saturation! beautifully composed. he also did buffalo '66, also a very stylist looking piece. i think he did "being john malkovich" as well. (malkovich malkovich-love that!)

but would you guys take me serious when i say that a much better film could be made about the gaijin experience in japan?

and that someone like a jaded english teacher or a gaijin (or group of misfit gaijin) that has been in tokyo for far too long (read: rob pongi) could make for a much more compelling story?

i am sure that you noticed that bob and charlotte are barely able to scratch the surface of experience in japan and when they do, the film sparks to life. when they reach out for some adventure, it's exciting. you don't want the night to end! i connected with the film because i've had nights very similar to that. you feel free, foreign, sexy, disconnected from reality, the epitome of feeling alive. you're walking on the freakin' moon.

someone with the right script, actors and director could capitalize on the japan boom in american cinema. tokyo is the new san francisco as far as locations go. and fodder for an interesting "expat" screenplay could be hammered out by the right person, for sure.

me and my buddy rob pongi want to foment a movement of films and docs that take place in tokyo. i think the time is right for a film about folks like those hanging out here.

am i right or what?

[Taro Toporific]

i...a much better film could be made about the gaijin experience in japan...
am i right or what?

A mo' betta about the gaijin in Japan? ...KILL BILL.

Ok, Julie Dreyfus' other gaijin movie "Legal Aliens" started out white-hot in the orginal script. But it started to suck as soon as "money" got involved (look for Taro lurking in the background of many scenes).

The orginal digital video "pre-trailer" of "Legal Aliens" had the tinfoil hat gaijin raving in his six mat room covered tinfoil to prevent the "WAVES" ---the NHK sub-carrier waves that make all salarymen change to to a trench coat on the same randomly-selected day in late fall--- is priceless.

Seehttp://movie.goo.ne.jp/movies/PMVWKPD31272/

[Captain Japan]

but would you guys take me serious when i say that a much better film could be made about the gaijin experience in japan?

and that someone like a jaded english teacher or a gaijin (or group of misfit gaijin) that has been in tokyo for far too long (read: rob pongi) could make for a much more compelling story?

But making a movie about the "gaijin experience" wasn't the intention of LIT. I think the point is that this relationship could happen anywhere. It is just that this time Tokyo was the location.

You folks really think anyone wants to see a movie about the 6-mat-freeze-your-ass-off gaijin life?

[Caustic Saint]

Ok, Julie Dreyfus' other gaijin movie "Legal Aliens"

See
http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?objid=D1D1366D000000FAA10971099957E448

Dude, both of those links go to the bear story.

[Caustic Saint]

Lest we forget, there's another recent bit that was filmed in Tokyo:



Jackass: The Movie's Night Pandas!



J-girls luuuuuuuuuuuv Pandas!