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Upon Rewatching: Basically a Perfect Movie

posted 21 days ago by Ace_Spade (9658)
10 replies | jump to latest

I revisited this film last night for the first time in years. Probably 7-10 years. I don't know that I should have waited that long. It aged really well - probably better than the scotch that Bob was hawking.

Previous viewings have had me enjoying the off-beat characters in a strange world, finding each other (a romance-heavy viewing), enjoying the struggles that people have making their lives work (a more practically-minded version of romance; I was thinking as much of John and Lydia as I was Bob and Charlotte), and enjoying the otherworldly feeling of being adrift while looking for oneself (a more introspective viewing).

This time, I felt the profound, heartbreaking loneliness of the characters. Not that this was new, but just to say that that "flavour" became the centrepiece of the journey this time. The whole thing is bittersweet and it aches and burns every time it laughs or smiles.

It's a marvellous piece of art.

[–] PersistentViewer (2684) 21 days ago

It's my favourite film from Scarlett. It's a wonderful film.

[–] Ace_Spade (9658) 21 days ago

This or Match Point for me. Although, I also really like Under the Skin and Her, but those would definitely take second and third place to this and Match Point. Oh, and Ghost World is great, too.

[–] letess (1816) 21 days ago

It is exactly that. A perfect film. A marvelous piece of art. With the magnificent and heartfelt ending.

[–] Ace_Spade (9658) 21 days ago

Yeah, if a film can't stick the ending, it loses a lot of points. Funny, I'm not usually a fan of things like the unknown whisper - these key secrets deliberately kept from the audience - but it kinda works here. Lost in Translation pulls it off, I think. I don't know exactly why it gets away with it, but it does. Maybe it's the performances by Bill and Scarlett - we feel what was said, so we don't need to hear it.

[–] letess (1816) 21 days ago

It gets away with it because of Bill Murray. With that cockeyed grin, twinkle in his eye, and just bows down to mutter once last word - a hello-good-bye moment. Much like when he was in front of the photographer holding a bottle of Japanese whiskey and a crystal glass with a smirk and a short quip.

Plus, those two had a lot of chemistry - She was waiting for him to say something. And when you see her reaction afterwards, you just know.

[–] Ace_Spade (9658) 20 days ago

Yeah. It's two people parting, but having this acknowledgement between them that their time in Japan was special and always will be. They probably won't see each other again, but they'll always have each other.

[–] TandyMan (11349) 21 days ago

It definitely plays different for me as I get older. I loved the movie right from the first viewing, but I get a different experience now watching it.

[–] Ace_Spade (9658) 21 days ago

That's exactly how I feel about it. I think this is one of the qualities that sends it over the top as a magnificent work of art. It has many possibilities of connection and it grows and becomes richer with each viewing.

[–] SkyeRiley (332) 20 days ago

I've never seen this one. Been meaning to check it out for a good few years now. I like Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray. I'll bump it up my watchlist and try check it out over the next two weeks.

[–] Ace_Spade (9658) 20 days ago

I obviously think it's wonderful, so I hope you check it out and love it.