February 28, 2004
Lost in Translation
Caught Lost in Translation. Disappointed.
Think Sofia did a much better job with Virgin Suicides, probably because it wasn’t her script. LIT is filled with comic clichés — every Japanese says ‘r’ as ‘l’, the commercial director talks and talks but gets a one-line translation, bad karaoke… I was almost too embarassed to laugh most of the time.
The show isn’t bad, it just isn’t that good. I think Sofia’s script is not strong enough, and halfway through the story starts to meander. And visually, it’s all clichéd as well. Tokyo… karaoke, video games arcade, pachinko parlour, neon lights, ikebana, Buddhist temple. Expect the expected.
What was worst in the movie: Characters were one-dimensional. Middle-aged, has-been actor, complete with boring wife and crying kids. Young, Yale philosophy graduate complete with rock star photographer husband who’d rather hang out with movie stars then discuss Descartes with her. Excuse me, but that’s just too easy.
There were some nice touches though. My favourite part was at the end when he whispers in her ear at a crucial moment of the plot. We get to decide how the story will continue for these two.
To be honest, I’ve been baffled by the hype surrounding Sofia Copolla. Years ago, she made a very average music video for the Chemical Brothers and it won awards and rave reviews. Virgin Suicides was good, but LIT confuses me. I guess who your father is does matter.
And while we are on the topic of Sofia Coppola, she did a music video for the White Stripes featuring Kate Moss pole-dancing.
Guess what … if you have Real Player you can view it online
Posted by: jimmy at March 3, 2004 12:06 AM> Kate Moss pole-dancing
Ooooh, sexy: two poles doin’ it.
hhp
She’s more talented than her brother, but so are most house pets.
Posted by: Jonathan at March 4, 2004 09:50 PMYou mean Roman? I have no idea what he has done, apart from being 2nd unit director on LIT.
Posted by: jimmy at March 5, 2004 12:37 AMRoman directed and wrote “CQ,” which is almost Ed Woodian in its heavy-handed pretension slapped on top of childish, incoherent images. He pulled in some fine actors, but with characters this empty and illogical, there’s not much they can do. Jeremy Davies stars, and manages to look angst-ridden, so if that turns your crank you’re in luck. If you’re very stoned and you’re in the mood to laugh at a truly horrible film, you might also be in luck. Painful.
Posted by: Jonathan at March 5, 2004 04:26 AMApparently, there’s a full translation of what the Japanese director said to Bob.
Posted by: Karen at April 19, 2004 06:59 PM