Lost In Translation (2003) -.

This film feels like Peter Venkman from 'Ghostbusters' (1984) got a job on a Whiskey advert in Japan. So while Bill Murray is quite enjoyable to watch and he genuinely is, without my being able to say why, it's also not really a new performance or anything we haven't seen from him before.

Giovanni Ribisi and Anna Faris don't bring anything fresh either, but Scarlett Johansson is very good in her role.

The story is slow and artsy and if it had been a 30 minute "Short" film, I could have seen what the fuss was about, but for me it just ran too long and without actually seeming to go anywhere. It does have a fun "I'm with them" kind of vibe to it though. You feel like you would be facing the same struggles if you were in their place too.

But in some ways it shows up the Japanese and actually almost seems to take the Mickey out of them racially. Although you do get to see a wide aspect of their culture too.

I was under the impression that the Japanese were all taught English when they are young, but the film shows them to just be a people that chat incessantly regardless of misunderstanding that don't bother to try and interact with the American visitors properly. It seemed like that was just a gimmick to make the story harder for Bill and Scarlett's characters, as I'm sure that the Doctors and Hotel Concierge's would know at least a little English.

The ending also fell a bit flat too. I think it could probably have had a more definite ending with his return to his family or something else to make it absolutely clear that his life had gone back to normal.

It is quirky and doesn't take too much brain power to watch and follow and it has a pleasing feel to it, but it will not be made a permanent part of my collection and will instead be sold on eBay.

646.09/1000.