An analysis.
Intro
Directed by Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation is a 2003 tragedy. The film centers around two characters, Bob (Bill Muray), and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansen), who travel from America to Japan and find themselves lost in the unfamiliar setting. The two find each other and fall deep into an “implied” romance. The movie dares to claim that when one is lost, one can find a connection with others who feel the same, which allows them to find a haven in the confusing world around them. This is shown through the apparent alienation of the characters, the parallelism overlapping their lives, and the bond they form.
Alienation
Before we can analyze how the characters are connected, we must first analyze how they feel lost. Both characters find themselves in an extremely unfamiliar environment. Bob and Charlotte have both traveled to Japan. Neither can speak Japanese nor have experience within the country. The film has many scenes in which they mistranslate Japanese words. This shows how alienated they feel from society, as they are unable to connect with their surroundings. Not only this but there are many wide-angle shots of both characters completely alone. Bob and Charlotte appear small in the frame, compared to their surroundings. And the sight of them alone gives the audience insight into their mindset, which is disconnected. But not only do they feel disconnected from their surroundings, but their loved ones as well. Many attempts are made by the two to tell their loved ones about their despair, asking for mental help. However, their needs are not met. Instead, they are ignored. In one scene, Charlotte calls someone who is suggested to be her mother. She cries, saying that she wishes she could find herself, but her mother disregards Charlotte’s plea and hangs up the phone. In another scene, the same thing happens to Bob. While telling his wife that he wants to improve his health, she pitifully laughs from the other line. Adding on, both characters are “in search” of something while in Japan. Charlotte is looking for a philosophical meaning to life. When one is searching for something it implies that they have lost whatever it is they are looking for. Disconnection often causes one to search for a way to once again feel connected.
Parallelism
The two eventually form a deep connection. This connection is only formed because of the similarity between their lives which draws them towards each other. To show this, Sofia Coppola uses constant parallelism in shots to prove how the two characters are one and the same. There are direct shots of Bob and Charlotte looking in opposite directions, watching the same TV show, and struggling to fall asleep, all at the same time. These shots are used to tell the audience that both characters are struggling with the same inner conflicts. And though their worlds may appear different, they are similar.
Connection
Eventually, we get to see the connection Bob and Charlotte form. In the final moments of the film, we can see the true connection that had never been shown before. Before Bob leaves back home for America, he stops to find Charlotte. Lost in a crowd of hundreds, he can spot her right away. He pushes through the crowd, making his way to her. Then, they hug. This hug is significant because it shows the trust they have in each other. When two people hug, their bodies are as close as they can be, so close that their heartbeats will often align. This hug makes it clear to the audience that the two have a stronger connection than most, as they are closer than they will ever be. They have complete trust in each other. Then, Bob whispers something in Charlotte’s ear. The audience never gets to hear what he says, but Charlotte tears up from the words. The fact that the audience cannot hear what Bob says shows how close their connection is. It breaks the 4th wall. Because even though Lost in Translation is a film, the two main characters’ bond is more important than the audience’s knowledge. Some things are meant to be kept secret.
Conclusion
In the end, Lost in Translation is a film about loss and connection. Throughout the movie, both Charlotte and Bob are searching for meaning in their mundane lives. And in the end, they not only find themselves, but each other. Charlotte and Bob’s journey is one that most can relate to. Even though we may not be aimlessly roaming the Tokyo streets, we are all still aimlessly roaming the streets of life.