IMDb > Lost in Translation (2003)
Lost in Translation
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Lost in Translation (2003) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 78 | slideshow) Videos (see all 19)
Lost in Translation (2003) -- A movie star with a sense of emptiness, and a neglected newlywed meet up as strangers in Tokyo, Japan and form an unlikely bond.
Lost in Translation (2003) -- Clip: You are my favorite photographer
Lost in Translation (2003) -- A movie star with a sense of emptiness, and a neglected newlywed meet up as strangers in Tokyo, Japan and form an unlikely bond.
Lost in Translation (2003) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   122,044 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Sofia Coppola (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Lost in Translation on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 October 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Everyone wants to be found. more
Plot:
A movie star with a sense of emptiness, and a neglected newlywed meet up as strangers in Tokyo, Japan and form an unlikely bond. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 70 wins & 59 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(222 articles)
Hollywood sheds its prejudice
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 22 December 2009, 9:40 AM, PST)

'Road, Movie' selected for Berlin International Film Festival
 (From Bollyspice. 21 December 2009, 4:11 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A great film, but the rating was lost in translation more (1711 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Scarlett Johansson ... Charlotte

Bill Murray ... Bob Harris
Akiko Takeshita ... Ms. Kawasaki
Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe ... Press Agent
Kazuko Shibata ... Press Agent
Take ... Press Agent
Ryuichiro Baba ... Concierge
Akira Yamaguchi ... Bellboy
Catherine Lambert ... Jazz Singer

François du Bois ... Sausalito Piano (as Francois du Bois)
Tim Leffman ... Sausalito Guitar

Gregory Pekar ... American Businessman #1
Richard Allen ... American Businessman #2

Giovanni Ribisi ... John
Diamond Yukai ... Commercial Director (as Yutaka Tadokoro)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for some sexual content.
Runtime:
102 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In many other countries, the title also got lost in translation. The title in Portuguese translates as "Love is a Strange Place". The title in Polish translates as "In Between Words". more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Bob lies alone near the beginning of the movie (just before he gets a fax), the clock reads 4:20 in a close-up shot. At the end of the following long-distance shot, the clock is blurry, but clearly changes (probably to 4:21). In the following shots, it's back to 4:20. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Ms. Kawasaki: Welcome to Tokyo.
Bob: Thank you very much.
Ms. Kawasaki: My name is Kawasaki. Nice to meet you.
Bob: I've heard of you. Thank you.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
The State We're In more

FAQ

What did Bob whisper into Charlotte's ear?
What temples and shrines does Charlotte go to?
Which hotel was it shot in? and which room?
more
288 out of 367 people found the following comment useful.
A great film, but the rating was lost in translation, 20 February 2005
10/10
Author: Derek237 from Canada

It's very interesting to see all of the ratings that Lost In Translation received in different countries. In Canada it is only PG, while in America it's rated R! And really, the only explanation for this is a brief scene at a strip joint that shows some nudity. I really look down on that R rating because Lost In Translation is a good-hearted film that should be enjoyed by all ages. Notice how during the 2003 Oscar season two films played the "only one special effect: the effect on the audience" card; one being this film and the other being Mystic River. Both are great films, both are rated R in the U.S., but only one of them can carry along its story without brutal murders.

So what can I say about Lost In Translation that hasn't been said a million times already? It's all true. It's subtle, down-to-earth, and allows the audience to observe and relate to the characters, Bob and Charlotte. Both of them have a life crisis to deal with, and I guess if you're thousands and thousands of miles away from your problems it makes it easier to take an objective look at them, even if they do follow you. Bob and Charlotte confide in each other and develop a relationship. That's what it's all about, and every scene is precious. It's a real and true to life kind of film. We never hear the lines: "Oh, Charlotte, I'm so glad I went to Japan. You've changed my life in such a profound way and you'll always be in my heart." That's because that just isn't the way it goes in real life. The feeling is there, the characters know it, the audience knows it, so it has to be left at that.

So, yeah, I love this movie. It's clearly the highlight of Bill Murray's career and marks the perfect first real stand-out in Scarlett Johanson's. It's so rare to see a movie that only has an interest in its characters (and only two of them, at that!) and makes them so charming, lovable, and familiar. This is a great example of non-Hollywood Hollywood films: the well-known actors and producers going to the roots of independent film-making. In an age where half the movies out there are packed with CGI, this is refreshing to see.

My rating: 10/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Lost in Translation (2003)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What does Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? halma_hwimc
Charlotte is Lydia Mattman142005
The Darjeeling Limited has a similar feel Madhav1
What's so great about Lost in Translation? Copyright1994
what was the book Charlotte was listening to? Mariika
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