MovieChat Forums > Lost in Translation (2003) Discussion > The best film I never saw.

The best film I never saw.

posted 10 years ago by MVFilm
19 replies | jump to latest

I've been a member on this website for 3 years now. Mostly to read reviews etc but never felt overly compelled to write anything until now.

I remember distinctly where I was at the time this film was originally released. Other side of the world visiting family. Early teens. Although never took an interest in seeing this film at all.

Now 12 years on. Mid twenties I have finally sat down (yesterday) to watch this film. What a fantastic decision that was. I simply cannot believe how after all this time I have never seen it. Instant favourite.

Although I'm glad I didn't see it when I was younger at it's initial release. I never would have appreciated just how good this film is. I would have just thought it was 'pointless' or 'boring'. Oh how naive I would have been.

I've read many other user reviews and discussions on here. It appears to be a polarising film for some. I can certainly see why others would not enjoy it but live and let live I say.

I was hooked on the story from the get-go. The range of emotions I felt were vast. Right up until the end.

Now I should preface this first, when it comes to life or films, I don't cry very often. I've managed to remain stoic at the death of friends and family. But the end of this film just got me going like nothing else. What a perfect ending. As sad as it made me, I couldn't imagine the ending being any different. It had to be that way. It just had to.

I've also just ordered "Her" on Blu-Ray thinking and hoping it will be a similar type of film. But I could easily watch this film again and feel the exact emotions I did the first time.

Great acting, great locations. (Sorry I don't know too many technical film terms etc)

It just warms me so much to read the other posts and threads on here to see that this film seemingly did the same for others as it did for me.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] seanlovescoffee6868 9 years ago

I'm 18 and saw the movie when I was 16 and appreciated the film much so, My all time favorite movie now.

[–] electrictroy 9 years ago

Before you insult someone as a "troll" like a juvenile college brat, maybe you should READ HIS POST. He very clearly stated: "I have finally sat down (yesterday) to watch this film."

He has as much right as anyone to express his opinion on a movie as anyone else, and without being insulted as if he were surrounded by immature children.

[–] spookythecat01 9 years ago

I suppose I did my Lost in Translation experience backwards. I'm a fan of both My Bloody Valentine/Kevin Shields and The Jesus & March Chain so I ordered the soundtrack first without ever watching the movie. I listened to the soundtrack, was incredibly moved by the atmospherics and decided to give the movie a try. I found a showing at 5:30 AM one morning on an HBO channel and DVRed it. I waited a few weeks and finally chose a rainy weekday morning to watch it by myself.

All I can say is where have you been the last 11 years of my life? Incredible acting, intense cinematography, intelligent and poignant dialogue. Masterfully pieced together in a way that gives the viewer the feeling that it was time well invested. I'll never listen to the soundtrack in the same way. I guess I'm a sap at heart, and I did have one of those "chase down and kiss goodbyes" in my personal life many years ago as a young adult....it brings back that chemistry and those memories. It's the connection between two frustrated and lost souls which connects the viewer. I've seen Lost in Translation three times since then and it never disappoints with the imagery sticking and tugging.

[–] shadylady21 9 years ago

It is one of the best movies of all time in my opinion. Two lost souls, one towards the end of his life and one at the beginning. Both lost in life and their place in it. It bugs me when it's on cable and the info describes it as two people "attracted" to one another, implying a different connection than what the filmmaker is trying to portray. This movie and the two characters transcend a simple base attraction. It really is on a much higher level than that. But people see what they want to see. Do you think that such a touching and moving film could be made today? Unfortunately I'm not so sure. Glad you liked it. Take care!

[–] lycosa 9 years ago

For me this movie was OK... Pretty cool. But not amazing, and I am 18 years old.

A little boring movie for me personally.

[–] zeroartgfx 9 years ago

Come back to it in a few years. Ive watched this movie a few times. Once, when I was quite young (14, 15?) and only was interested in the photography scenes because they were funny. I watched it again and finished it, but still wasn't crazy about it. Finally, watching it again about a year ago (and just this past weekend again!) I never fully appreciated the complex relationship between the characters. Now, its one of my all time favorite movies because I understand the complexity (while seeming simple) of the characters. It deals with many issues most humans face sometime in their life. So don't give up on it, see it again in a few years and see if you still feel the same way.

[–] shadylady21 9 years ago

What a wonderful post. It is a movie that can be watched over and over. I'm glad you liked it. A lot of people just didn't get it. I've recommended on several occasions to those that didn't to watch it again when they are older because they just may see it differently because they may be different people by then. Loved your post and take care!

[–] asmomo 9 years ago

When the movie came out I was 20, living in Paris since a few months, still a new thing coming from the suburbs. I spent a lot of time at that new cinema that had just been built beside the National Library.

That's where I've seen it, almost alone in the theater, as it was the middle of the day.

I remember it well, despite having seen thousands of movies since then.

Not as a movie, but as a feeling, a sensation.

I have never experienced anything like it since then, in a way it's kind of sad, but at least I've experienced it.

[–] bhang-812-928667 9 years ago

[...] as a feeling, a sensation.

I have never experienced anything like it since then, in a way it's kind of sad, but at least I've experienced it.

This.

[–] Yasmin_07 9 years ago

It is a dumb ageist film which promotes everything that is wrong with Hollywood. People who try to actually make it seem OK are deluded. One near the end and one at the start of life? Really? In reality that is called manipulation grooming or even just trading youth for money and power. Men like this should be AVOIDED..

[–] Errington_92 9 years ago

In reality that is called manipulation grooming or even just trading youth for money and power.

I highly doubt it was manipulative grooming. Both Charlotte and Bob were lost in their loneliness, unable to connect to their surroundings. Both equally pursued their friendship and gave the other fresh perspective on their lives.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

[–] dannyjobee 8 years ago

You just opened with that sentence and then provide an incredibly dumb and ageist comment... absolutely none of what you said provided insight into this film.

Call it boring yes I understand that, it probably could have a jarring pace, but you said nothing with so many words. It is a beautiful film, poetic and speaks to many experiences people have had in life, absolutely none of which you seem to know anything about.

I enjoy comments i disagree with and welcome diverse and differing opinions, but idiocy in the guise of self assured intelligence is incredibly grating.

Everyone has an opinion, people think there's is the only one that matters. That's just my opinion.

[–] olicoates 8 years ago

why don't you just stand up and yell TROLL ALERT ?

[–] JohninVegas 9 years ago

That's good. I'm going to read all of your stuff.

[–] 9 years ago

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