Crash Into Me

Santori Time

Well, I finally saw Lost in Translation on Saturday. Josiah mentioned it as a movie I needed to see, I had heard nothing but good things, and I really wanted to see it...but alas, it never came to Monroe. Until now. So Jon and Hollie, Christin, Thomas and Emily and I went to see it. And exactly what I thought would happen, happened. Christin, Jon and I loved it, Hollie was noncommital, and Thomas and Emily hated it. But never fear: the movie is brilliant. It certainly is "different", but that is a good thing. Is it a comedy? Yeah, sort of (as Christin said, it's funny in the way that Royal Tenenbaums is funny). Is it a serious movie about dealing with relationships, commitment, etc.? Yeah, sort of.
First, let's get this out of the way. Bill Murray is fantastic in this film. He is sweet, hilarious, introspective, quiet, sad, depressed, and does it all in every scene. He's a burnt-out movie star doing a commercial for the money, and this kills him. He "could be doing a play somewhere". He is a guy who COULD be the life of any party, who COULD be the most popular guy in any room, who COULD be the funniest guy you know, who COULD be the one everyone wants at their gathering (you know that person...there's one in every group)...but he chooses not to be. That is not "him" any more. And every time Bill Murray is tempted to break out, crack everyone up, or go on one of his What About Bob sprees, he retreats into the character. He gives you five emotions with one look. It is amazing. The quintessential scene for me, is when the director of the commercial tells him "more intensity" (although in quite a few more words...there's the humor). I was thinking to myself, huh? But he pulls it off in a way only Bill Murray can. And sheesh is Bill Murray funny...even when he doesn't necessarily want to be. And for that matter, all of the characters give excellent performances. Giovanni Ribisi (who I love) in a small role was good. And I didn't really recognize the starlet, Scarlett Johansson, but she was great as well. Excellent acting in this movie.
Okay, some more general movie stuff. It is directed by Sofia Coppola (daughter of the legend, Francis Ford Coppola), and is only her second movie. Wow. She wrote and directed it. I still am astounded by this. It is deep without trying, and subtle enough to leave you wondering and thinking. I loved the script. It was set in Tokyo, so the running gag is how they confuse their r's and l's. As Bill Murray leaves, he asks them if he should "have a nice fright". Speaking of Tokyo, sheesh was this movie beautiful to look at. That city and the surrounding areas is like a whole different world. The technology is amazing. The mountain/volcano is breathtaking. Anyway, I liked everything about this movie. Jon and I agree, the soundtrack is cool. A lot of 80's stuff that you don't necessarily recognize right off the bat, but is familiar. The plot is fairly simple, and yet fairly complex. Go see it, and you'll know what I mean (I'm not giving anything away). It is rated R, though, so attend with caution. I really loved this movie. The more I think about it, the more I like it. I would highly recommend it...but don't expect a "normal" movie, you will be disappointed. And therein lies its beauty:)