‘Lost in Transaltion’ came out in 2003 and for the life of me I cannot understand why I never saw the film, I mean, it sounds like a film that I would love.  I look back to my life in 2003 and ask myself why. I made a mental note to see it then but after all these years, I never have. Until now. I finally finally saw it, and…

Well, I love the film. But the most curious thing is that it took me a while to get into its groove. I know it’s a film that takes its time, but I did not have a problem with that. I think that this is one of those films that in order for one to enjoy, one has to be in a certain mood. You have to be in a certain frame of mind, you have to be able to accept it. You have to be in touch with loneliness.

And I’m no stranger to loneliness. It’s a constant feeling for me, and this film mirrors that feeling perfectly. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson are two ships that pass in a night, and in this case, they pass a couple of nights, knowing full well that they will leave each other after a certain time. Maybe it’s just as well that I am seeing this film now, would a younger me understand it? I vacillate on Johansson’s work, as I think she is more method than natural when it comes to acting style, but she is great here. I felt in her eyes her loneliness, and I even think this the best performance I have seen of Murray – I am not going to say I am most familiar with his output but his mostly comedic roles have not impressed me.

Lastly, I can’t stop thinking of the Leonard Bernstein song ‘Lonely Town’ as I think about this film.

A Town’s A Lonely Town
When You Pass Through
And There Is No One Waiting There For You