Lost in Translation

5

DaveDec 28, 2009

Definitely overrated by the critics. The humor is rather crass, and much of it stems from ignorance/intolerance of other cultures.

5 of 14 users found this helpful

5

DelPieroRUSJul 16, 2011

I don't like this movie. After 10 minutes it is already obviously what will be in the end. Very boring story... It's not deserve even average 6,6 score, which it have now from users.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

HalfwelshmanJul 22, 2012

Lost in Translation is thoroughly disappointing. It appears to be pretty much universally praised, yet it's a flawed film. I'll concede that it's beautifully filmed, that Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson give great performances and that theLost in Translation is thoroughly disappointing. It appears to be pretty much universally praised, yet it's a flawed film. I'll concede that it's beautifully filmed, that Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson give great performances and that the relationship between their two characters is sweet and endearing, as a tale of two lost souls finding a connection is always compelling. Despite these positives, the film puts forward an extremely patronising, stereotypical and borderline racist view of Japanese culture. By depicting a steady procession of carefully cherry-picked Japanese "oddities", it's almost like the film's main objective is to say "hey, come laugh at the silly Japanese, they're not like Americans at all". A recurring joke in the film is the mockery of Japanese speech pattern of the replacement of the letter r with the letter l. This gag is barely funny the first time it is used, but it is reprised four or five times throughout the film. In one of the key "comedy" scenes, Murray's character struggles to understand a heavily accented Japanese director during a photo shoot, and his mimicry of the poor man's voice to decipher each instruction isn't funny, just embarrassing, akin to the lack of logic behind an English-speaking tourist abroad raising his voice to make themselves understood to non-English speakers. To make matters even worse, the film is all-too-often slow or just plain boring. Beyond great chemistry between Murray and Johansson and striking aesthetics, the appeal of Lost in Translation is, well, lost in translation chiefly thanks to some criminal cultural insensitivity that really shouldn't be applauded in the modern world.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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4

gracjanskiJan 6, 2021

Somehow I didnt like the movie: Many scenes with Japaneses were rude and unrealistic, yes I ve been in Japan for some weeks. In my view this movie is a insult to their incredible beautiful mentality. Bob is a very unsympathetic and cynicalSomehow I didnt like the movie: Many scenes with Japaneses were rude and unrealistic, yes I ve been in Japan for some weeks. In my view this movie is a insult to their incredible beautiful mentality. Bob is a very unsympathetic and cynical character with some good sense of humour. Indeed there was a beautiful chemistry with Charlotte and Scarlett Johanson was charming. But overall the mood was bad and boring. Also there ist not much story, you can write it in one sentence. So the mood of the movie is interesting, but still I dont want to see this movie again.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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3

PeteM.Jun 15, 2006

i guess i didnt get it or something but it was not that good.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

3

BobA.Jan 15, 2006

A nice concept with good performances but in the end, its a meaningful ending slapped onto a film that never thematically gets us there. (like being walked to third base, and thinking the movie had hit a triple). In essence a less stylized, A nice concept with good performances but in the end, its a meaningful ending slapped onto a film that never thematically gets us there. (like being walked to third base, and thinking the movie had hit a triple). In essence a less stylized, less meaty version of In the Mood for Love. Would have worked great as a short.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful

3

JackB.Nov 1, 2007

There are a few redeeming qualities to this movie: (a) scarlett, (b) bill, (c) the ending. Why there are more non-redeeming qualities are as follows: (1) it's frankly not believable, (2) cliche' typical daddy save me There are a few redeeming qualities to this movie: (a) scarlett, (b) bill, (c) the ending. Why there are more non-redeeming qualities are as follows: (1) it's frankly not believable, (2) cliche' typical daddy save me complex-fantasy, (3) creating boring mood is plain boring (4) annoying by design to group Japanese culture as boring & silly, (5) it's pretentious & works hard to be clever (6) it's devoid of making a connection (7) effectively leaves audience empty. The most frustrating part is this movie has more potential. Both these characters could have pulled off so much more, could still keep that somber mood & developed more mystery & intrigue. I kept wanting more of Bill to step out, and needed more of Scarlett to bust. I have no patience for shallowness. This girl is in Tokyo. He is in Tokyo. Hard to be lost (souls) That is not believable. If they were in the middle of the Guam - maybe. If they can't bring energy to Tokyo, then they can't bring energy at all, and therefore these characters are frankly hopeless and that is the most unattractive part of this film. Why waste time with people that cant barely save themselves in the best of world-class circumstances. Yawn..ZZZZZzzzz.… Expand

6 of 12 users found this helpful

3

MarieH.Jan 27, 2007

The creepy angst that pervades this film is uncomfortable to watch, and frankly doesn't tell me anything except that Bob is a bored, and vaguely meaningless person. I must have missed the funny parts.

3 of 4 users found this helpful

2

JeffF.Apr 25, 2006

Two people walk around Tokyo for 90 min singing kareoke. Whoop de Doo. Sophia Coppola is as talentless as a director as she is as an actress.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

2

TonyB.Sep 18, 2005

Easily the most overrated film of 2003, this is yet another indication that critics' views often cannot be taken seriously. I was warned by friends that this was a dreadful bore, but I listened to Roger Ebert and many of his colleagues instead.

3 of 3 users found this helpful

2

JosephB.Jan 11, 2008

I could not believe when I saw this film that it was the same thing all the critics had been raving about. Overlong, underplotted, little or no character development, overtly racist...it's well acted and shot, but the film has no heart.

4 of 6 users found this helpful

2

johnslegersJan 3, 2016

Why is this film so praised? Our protagonists are a naive stuck-up girl right out of college and an equally stuck-up cynical actor. Neither show any real interest in Japanese culture (he's even quite disrespectful) and neither makes anyWhy is this film so praised? Our protagonists are a naive stuck-up girl right out of college and an equally stuck-up cynical actor. Neither show any real interest in Japanese culture (he's even quite disrespectful) and neither makes any really attempt to connect with the Japanese (even though they both get the chance to connect). Even though she seems to have a degree in philosophy and he seems to be somewhat of an intellectual type, their interactions remain mostly superficial. And still, their interaction with one another is pretty much everything we get to see for this entire film. I guess this film appeals to people just as pretentious and shallow as the main protagonist (which is the only reason I can think of to explain its popularity), but I personally found it hard to connect with either of them AT ALL.

Further, I wonder how much sense it makes for their relationship to have remained purely platonic. Both seem to be estranged from their respective spouses, his wife is on the other side of the ocean, her husband is on a photo shoot for several days, both act like they haven't had sex in a long time, she's a beautiful impressionable young girl, he's a famous actor, they both don't shun alcohol and at one point they become close enough to lie together on a bed while he touches her feet. Maybe it's just me, but I personally find it hard to believe they didn't end up having sex together considering the aforementioned conditions. Anyway, the shame and confusion arising from such a situation (after both realise they made a mistake cheating their respective spouse) would at least have made a far more interesting film to watch Maybe this film appeals to people who never spent more than a few days in a foreign country, but having spent about 3 months in Poland I couldn't see anything I haven't experienced myself AT A FAR GREATER INTENSITY. For me, this makes "Lost In Translation" as exciting to watch as two people sitting at a bus stop waiting for the bus to arrive. Actually the latter would probably be more interesting, because the bus doesn't take THAT long to arrive.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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1

ErikN.Oct 19, 2006

Possibly the worst movie I've ever seen. It's hard to put it any more bluntly than that. 2 hours of my life I'll never get back.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

1

MatabolixJul 26, 2006

Not funny, not interesting. Just shallow and unintelligent. Pity, I like Murray and was looking forward to this one. Do something else with your time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

1

EdF.Jul 17, 2008

A film should have one of the following: Good plot/story Good dialogue Visually good looking Action Lost in Translation has none.

4 of 9 users found this helpful

1

JoeB.Jan 8, 2009

This may be the worst movie I have ever seen. I'm only giving it a "1" because I love Bill Murray. This movie is an hour and some odd minutes of my life I will never get back. Unfortunately, it is highly representative of a generation This may be the worst movie I have ever seen. I'm only giving it a "1" because I love Bill Murray. This movie is an hour and some odd minutes of my life I will never get back. Unfortunately, it is highly representative of a generation that needs to stop complaining and get off it's ass and get a life. No real plot, no drama, no climax, no deep discovery culminating in a social statement. It's about two pathetic souls that don't even know how to amuse themselves let alone each other.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful

1

jediboyJun 17, 2011

This movie is a poor piece of film, over-hyped by critics for no other reason save that the director's father is Francis Ford Coppola. Features Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson in Tokyo for separate reasons. Japan and the Japanese areThis movie is a poor piece of film, over-hyped by critics for no other reason save that the director's father is Francis Ford Coppola. Features Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson in Tokyo for separate reasons. Japan and the Japanese are portrayed in a poor (and stereotyping) fashion, (video games, karaoke, gadgets, and the misprounciations of "Ls" as "Rs").

There is borderline racism in this movie, as the way these two lead roles act, as if lost, estranged, abandoned, or stranded on the moon surrounded by Aliens. I've been to Japan (I'm a western European) and found no such culture shock. That is really the premise that this movie is built on - culture shock of White Western people finding themselves in Japan. And that is where it fell down for me. In terms of comedy, it was billed as "Bill Murray - comedy genius - at his best." Far from it. I like Murray (Quick Change, Stripes, Caddyshack, etc.) This was just not funny, and I do not think there is any attempt for him to be funny.

Scarlett. Well she does not do anything wrong, but does not do anything right either. All in all, a very poor script. Very poor direction. A complete lack of substance, with ignorance and racism creeping in at times.

Such a time sink.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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1

mohammadjalalAug 16, 2017

f..cking boring,Full of claims
,over rated movie.i hate this movie .i hated hated hated hated hated hated hated this movie .i hate everyone who like this sh...t.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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1

JeckxdeelMar 18, 2020

A very boring movie! A real piece of **** Sofia Coppola must absolutely stop her career!

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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0

BrandonMOct 30, 2008

Nothing happens. Honestly, this may be the worst movie I have ever seen. It's a long movie where a guy goes to Japan and meets a friend. Theres no humor, no drama, no climax, no resolution, no theme, nothing. NOTHING! It's not like Nothing happens. Honestly, this may be the worst movie I have ever seen. It's a long movie where a guy goes to Japan and meets a friend. Theres no humor, no drama, no climax, no resolution, no theme, nothing. NOTHING! It's not like I'm missing some underlying plot, or missing the subtleties of the love/friendship these 2 lonely people share in a foreign land, but that entertainment lasts all of 5 seconds. I implore you, don't see this movie and then later pretend it meant something, because it certainly did not.… Expand

5 of 11 users found this helpful

0

NigelMJul 26, 2009

Don't listen to the pretentious reviews here, this is a bad film plain and simple. Boring, meandering tosh.

5 of 11 users found this helpful

0

IrishLadLadNov 10, 2005

Horrible. A contrived piece of rubbish. Billed by the critics as "Comical Genius" and "Murray at his best", but nother could be further from the truth. Absolutely, the worst movie I've seen since Vanilla Sky. The only explanation as to Horrible. A contrived piece of rubbish. Billed by the critics as "Comical Genius" and "Murray at his best", but nother could be further from the truth. Absolutely, the worst movie I've seen since Vanilla Sky. The only explanation as to why it got an nominations/awards is because Francis Ford Coppola's daughter made it, and so the critics felt obliged to sing its praises. Rubbish from start to finish.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

0

JamesM.Nov 19, 2005

I think the most frustrating thing about this awful film is that in all of its tedious scenes of nothingness and disposable dialogue, nothing at all is being said. The director was not trying to make a film that meant anything, she obviously I think the most frustrating thing about this awful film is that in all of its tedious scenes of nothingness and disposable dialogue, nothing at all is being said. The director was not trying to make a film that meant anything, she obviously wanted to make art for the sake of art. Forget the hype, this film is a complete and utter failure, and practically unwatchable.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

0

SomethingSep 10, 2005

The worst film ever made. Boring, pointless, meandering garbage that feels as though it was conceived by an infant. Sofia's dumb script is so tedious that the movie becomes instantly forgettable. I would sooner watch Deuce Bigalow 2. The worst film ever made. Boring, pointless, meandering garbage that feels as though it was conceived by an infant. Sofia's dumb script is so tedious that the movie becomes instantly forgettable. I would sooner watch Deuce Bigalow 2. The makers of that film put more effort into it than anyone did in "Lost In Translation", which should have been lost in a dumpster.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

0

YMar 3, 2006

Given a choice between sticking pins in my eyes or watching Lost in Translation again, I would have to go with the eye/pin thing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

0

MichaelS.Dec 30, 2003

A pretentious waste of time and money. the worst sin: who cares about either of these folks? answer: daddy coppola.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

0

mgNov 10, 2006

Translation, please I

2 of 2 users found this helpful

0

CatherineJan 13, 2007

What a shame to waste money on such a bland, uninteresting, cliché movie. My family has not yet forgiven me for bringing this video home one evening. Humour? Where? I am not quite sure where the Oscars came from and I wonder what the What a shame to waste money on such a bland, uninteresting, cliché movie. My family has not yet forgiven me for bringing this video home one evening. Humour? Where? I am not quite sure where the Oscars came from and I wonder what the critics have been watching lately. It must be one of the worst films I have ever seen and I normally like Bill Murray!… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful

0

AriB.Jan 24, 2007

Skip this movie! There are too many other films much better than this over-rated bore.

4 of 6 users found this helpful

0

AllanODec 3, 2008

Both me and my Asian wife thought this was way too slow with no real content. Very boring. I see very little humour, most of which plays on the Asian culture, which was not funny to one familiar with it. No real plot, no finish, no point.. I Both me and my Asian wife thought this was way too slow with no real content. Very boring. I see very little humour, most of which plays on the Asian culture, which was not funny to one familiar with it. No real plot, no finish, no point.. I got all the subtleties, but I was expecting some amount of entertainment, I want the two hours of my life back.… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful

0

mawNov 8, 2009

I didn't get this movie. Is there something wrong with me?

4 of 9 users found this helpful

0

john24Jun 25, 2012

Great .

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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0

MovieGuysFeb 2, 2014

Boring, tedious, pointless: the many adjectives I can use to describe this movie. The Coppola family usually directs such great films (The Godfather!), but Sofia's slow-moving melodramatic car wreck is dumb and unintelligent with an easilyBoring, tedious, pointless: the many adjectives I can use to describe this movie. The Coppola family usually directs such great films (The Godfather!), but Sofia's slow-moving melodramatic car wreck is dumb and unintelligent with an easily forgettable script and nothing else going for it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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0

syr44Jan 10, 2014

Wow, who are these critics that gave this horrible movie high marks?? Easily the worst movie I've ever had the displeasure of wasting 102 minutes of my life. How anyone can say this is 'art', or 'poetic' is beyond me. It's plain awful,Wow, who are these critics that gave this horrible movie high marks?? Easily the worst movie I've ever had the displeasure of wasting 102 minutes of my life. How anyone can say this is 'art', or 'poetic' is beyond me. It's plain awful, only seeing the light of day cuz it's daddy Coppola's little girl. She's not following in daddy's footsteps, but he apparently owns the critics and some narcissistic moviegoers. No other possible reason for this tripe to have favorable reviews. I usually don't buy into critics, but I failed on this one. My bad. Sofia, find new work. Oh, I am so sorry I watched this movie till the end expecting it to get better!! It can't, and won't get better. Save yourselves!!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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0

SUETIGGERSFeb 15, 2014

It's reassuring to see that I'm not so alone in really hating this movie. I now know better specifically why it drove me nuts watching it. I gave it a one just because of the visuals.
I kept waiting and waiting and waiting for something toIt's reassuring to see that I'm not so alone in really hating this movie. I now know better specifically why it drove me nuts watching it. I gave it a one just because of the visuals.
I kept waiting and waiting and waiting for something to happen. But, it didn't. I'm not an action-oriented person but this movie barely breathes...and that's supposed to be what? something worth my time? Thanks to all these reviewers for helping me see others saw the sublime nothingness I saw.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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0

andreekaMar 6, 2015

an a very boring film. it just about talking, talking, talking, and really talking. i still wonder why this movie got nominated for best picture in so many awards.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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0

MrArmChairJun 15, 2018

This must be a clever film as it made feel very tired and jet lagged just watching it. Certainly those who love it claim it to be clever and that you are stupid if you don't 'get' it. But I just spotted an Emperor with no clothes on.This must be a clever film as it made feel very tired and jet lagged just watching it. Certainly those who love it claim it to be clever and that you are stupid if you don't 'get' it. But I just spotted an Emperor with no clothes on. Dreadful, grey, gloomy, tedious, dreary, dull, boring. Yawn. What a laugh, "Check the box if your review contains spoilers" - there is NOTHING to spoil!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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Lost in Translation

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