Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Spelling/grammar fix(es)
Changed line(s) 41 (click to see context) from:
** The ditzy film starlet is giving an interview and starts saying how close she feels to Japan because of buddhism. Her reasoning is that she believes in reincarnation, and says that it represents hope and is a good thing, whereas the whole point of buddhism is that the cycle of reincarnation is suffering and one must find a way to end it by becoming enlightened.
to:
** The ditzy film starlet is giving an interview and starts saying how close she feels to Japan because of buddhism. Buddhism. Her reasoning is that she believes in reincarnation, and says that it represents hope and is a good thing, whereas the whole point of buddhism Buddhism is that the cycle of reincarnation is suffering and one must find a way to end it by becoming enlightened.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/8_4.jpg]]
to:
%%
%% Image selected per Image Pickin thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=17016006490.11019400
%% Please don't change or remove without starting a new thread.
%%
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/8_4.jpg]]
org/pmwiki/pub/images/lostintranslationgermanposter.png]]
%% Image selected per Image Pickin thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=17016006490.11019400
%% Please don't change or remove without starting a new thread.
%%
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 37 (click to see context) from:
** The ditzy film starlet is giving an interview and starts saying how close she feels to Japan because of buddhism. Her reasoning is that she believes in reincarnation, and says that it represents hope and is a good thing, whereas the whole point of buddhism is that the cycle of reincarnatiom is suffering and one must find a way to end it by becoming enlightened.
to:
** The ditzy film starlet is giving an interview and starts saying how close she feels to Japan because of buddhism. Her reasoning is that she believes in reincarnation, and says that it represents hope and is a good thing, whereas the whole point of buddhism is that the cycle of reincarnatiom reincarnation is suffering and one must find a way to end it by becoming enlightened.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 35 (click to see context) from:
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Charlotte and Bob's lunch at the ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant is fraught with tension, because Charlotte has just caught Bob sleeping with someone. Because of the UnresolvedSexualTension between the two (even though they're both married), the lunch was very awkward. The next day, as they're saying goodbye in the hotel lobby, Charlotte's in a forgiving mood. "That was the ''worst lunch,"'' she says with a smile. "What kind of restaurant makes you cook your own ''food?"'' Bob replies.
to:
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: ComicallyMissingThePoint:
** Charlotte and Bob's lunch at the ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant is fraught with tension, because Charlotte has just caught Bob sleeping with someone. Because of the UnresolvedSexualTension between the two (even though they're both married), the lunch was very awkward. The next day, as they're saying goodbye in the hotel lobby, Charlotte's in a forgiving mood. "That was the ''worst lunch,"'' she says with a smile. "What kind of restaurant makes you cook your own ''food?"'' Bobreplies.replies.
** The ditzy film starlet is giving an interview and starts saying how close she feels to Japan because of buddhism. Her reasoning is that she believes in reincarnation, and says that it represents hope and is a good thing, whereas the whole point of buddhism is that the cycle of reincarnatiom is suffering and one must find a way to end it by becoming enlightened.
** Charlotte and Bob's lunch at the ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant is fraught with tension, because Charlotte has just caught Bob sleeping with someone. Because of the UnresolvedSexualTension between the two (even though they're both married), the lunch was very awkward. The next day, as they're saying goodbye in the hotel lobby, Charlotte's in a forgiving mood. "That was the ''worst lunch,"'' she says with a smile. "What kind of restaurant makes you cook your own ''food?"'' Bob
** The ditzy film starlet is giving an interview and starts saying how close she feels to Japan because of buddhism. Her reasoning is that she believes in reincarnation, and says that it represents hope and is a good thing, whereas the whole point of buddhism is that the cycle of reincarnatiom is suffering and one must find a way to end it by becoming enlightened.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Deleted line(s) 18 (click to see context) :
* AluminumChristmasTrees: Bob Harris's {{Japandering}} commercial. Yes, kids, in the pre-Internet days A-listers like Creator/JodieFoster or Creator/HarrisonFord (almost certainly the inspiration for Bob Harris) could go to Japan and make a quick buck endorsing some product in a commercial that their Anglophone fans would never see.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Playing Gertrude is now a disambig
Deleted line(s) 80 (click to see context) :
* PlayingGertrude: Charlotte is a married woman in her early-mid 20s, portrayed by a then-17-year-old Scarlett Johansson. Johansson turned 18 towards the end of filming. Sofia Coppola felt she could convincingly portray a character in her twenties, crediting her husky voice.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 88 (click to see context) from:
* SceneryPorn: Of Japan.
to:
* SceneryPorn: Of Tokyo, Japan.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 86 (click to see context) from:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? A message of hope for her future? A promise to meet again someday? A heartfelt thank-you for the short time their lives intersected? Something else entirely? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
to:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? end: A message of hope for her future? A promise to meet again someday? A heartfelt thank-you for the short time their lives intersected? Something else entirely? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
Changed line(s) 92 (click to see context) from:
* SilentWhisper: Bob whispers something to Charlotte just before he leaves Tokyo.
to:
* SilentWhisper: At the end of the movie, Bob whispers something to Charlotte just before he leaves Tokyo.
Changed line(s) 94,95 (click to see context) from:
* TranslationYes: The commercial director gives a long, emphatic spiel, but this is translated into curt and simplistic instructions. Bob objects that the director seemed to be saying more. [[note]]Here's what the director actually said: Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whisky on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are Bogie in Casablanca, saying, "Here's looking at you, kid,"—Suntory time![[/note]]
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Bob and Charlotte's friendship is obviously accented by mutual attraction that neither seem to want to act on. When Bob has a one-night-stand, Charlotte's cold reaction includes some jealousy.
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Bob and Charlotte's friendship is obviously accented by mutual attraction that neither seem to want to act on. When Bob has a one-night-stand, Charlotte's cold reaction includes some jealousy.
to:
* TranslationYes: The commercial director gives a long, emphatic spiel, but this is translated into curt and simplistic instructions. Bob objects that the director seemed to be saying more. [[note]]Here's what the director actually said: Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whisky on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are Bogie in Casablanca, ''Casablanca'', saying, "Here's looking at you, kid,"—Suntory time![[/note]]
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Bob and Charlotte's friendship is obviously accented by mutual attraction that neither seem to want to act on. When Bob has aone-night-stand, one-night-stand with another woman, Charlotte's cold reaction includes some jealousy.
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Bob and Charlotte's friendship is obviously accented by mutual attraction that neither seem to want to act on. When Bob has a
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 36 (click to see context) from:
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Charlotte and Bob's lunch at the ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant is fraught with tension, because Charlotte has just caught Bob sleeping with someone. Because of the UnresolvedSexualTension between the two (even though they're both married), the lunch was very awkward. The next day, as they're saying goodbye in the hotel lobby, Charlotte's in a forgiving mood. "That lunch was ''awful,"'' she says with a smile on her face. "Yeah. Who makes you cook your own ''food?"'' Bob replies.
to:
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Charlotte and Bob's lunch at the ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant is fraught with tension, because Charlotte has just caught Bob sleeping with someone. Because of the UnresolvedSexualTension between the two (even though they're both married), the lunch was very awkward. The next day, as they're saying goodbye in the hotel lobby, Charlotte's in a forgiving mood. "That lunch was ''awful,"'' the ''worst lunch,"'' she says with a smile on her face. "Yeah. Who smile. "What kind of restaurant makes you cook your own ''food?"'' Bob replies.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 86 (click to see context) from:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? A message of hope for her future? A promise to meet again someday? A heartfelt thank-you for the short time their lives intersected? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
to:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? A message of hope for her future? A promise to meet again someday? A heartfelt thank-you for the short time their lives intersected? Something else entirely? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 86 (click to see context) from:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? A message of hope for her future? A promise to meet again? A heartfelt thank-you for the short time their lives intersected? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
to:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? A message of hope for her future? A promise to meet again? again someday? A heartfelt thank-you for the short time their lives intersected? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 86 (click to see context) from:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
to:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? A message of hope for her future? A promise to meet again? A heartfelt thank-you for the short time their lives intersected? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
usage in descriptions is fine; my mistake
Changed line(s) 44 (click to see context) from:
* {{Fanservice}}: The opening close-up panty shot of a sleeping Charlotte, followed by several more shots of her in her underwear.
to:
* {{Fanservice}}: The opening close-up panty shot PantyShot of a sleeping Charlotte, followed by several more shots of her in her underwear.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
trope def-only
Changed line(s) 44 (click to see context) from:
* {{Fanservice}}: The opening close-up PantyShot of a sleeping Charlotte, followed by several more shots of her in her underwear.
to:
* {{Fanservice}}: The opening close-up PantyShot panty shot of a sleeping Charlotte, followed by several more shots of her in her underwear.
Changed line(s) 79,80 (click to see context) from:
* PantyShot: Charlotte as seen in the very first shot of the film lying on the bed before the title of the movie fades in.
* PinkIsErotic: MsFanservice Charlotte is seen in pink panties whenever she is in her apartment. Additionally, she also dons a ping wig.
* PinkIsErotic: MsFanservice Charlotte is seen in pink panties whenever she is in her apartment. Additionally, she also dons a ping wig.
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* PlayingGertrude: Charlotte is a married woman in her early-mid 20s, portrayed by a then-17-year-old Scarlett Johansson. Johansson turned 18 towards the end of filming. Sofia Coppola felt she could convincingly portray a character in her twenties, crediting her husky voice.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* CovertPervert: When Bob is changing out of his lurid orange t-shirt in the bathroom, Charlotte takes a little peek and smiles.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
How To Create A Works Page: "Things not to include: value judgments (don't say how much it sucked/how awesome it was), critical reception (that's just a specific variant of value judgments), recommendations (don't tell us whether or not we should check it out)"
Deleted line(s) 12,13 (click to see context) :
Won an UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Original Screenplay.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 32 (click to see context) from:
* BookEnds: The movie starts with Bob coming into the city in a cab it ends with him leaving the same way.
to:
* BookEnds: The movie starts with Bob coming into the city in a cab it cab, and ends with him leaving the same way.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 3 (click to see context) from:
->''"I can't tell you how many people have told me that they just don't get ''Lost in Translation.'' They want to know what it's about. They complain 'nothing happens.' They've been trained by movies that tell them where to look and what to feel, in stories that have a beginning, a middle and an end. ''Lost in Translation'' offers an experience in the exercise of empathy. The characters empathize with each other (''that's'' what it's about), and we can empathize with them going through that process"''
to:
->''"I can't tell you how many people have told me that they just don't get ''Lost in Translation.'' They want to know what it's about. They complain 'nothing happens.' They've been trained by movies that tell them where to look and what to feel, in stories that have a beginning, a middle and an end. ''Lost in Translation'' offers an experience in the exercise of empathy. The characters empathize with each other (''that's'' what it's about), and we can empathize with them going through that process"''process."''
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
moving from Lost In Translation
Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/8_4.jpg]]
->''"I can't tell you how many people have told me that they just don't get ''Lost in Translation.'' They want to know what it's about. They complain 'nothing happens.' They've been trained by movies that tell them where to look and what to feel, in stories that have a beginning, a middle and an end. ''Lost in Translation'' offers an experience in the exercise of empathy. The characters empathize with each other (''that's'' what it's about), and we can empathize with them going through that process"''
-->-- '''Creator/RogerEbert '''
''Lost in Translation'' is a 2003 film, the second to be written and directed by Creator/SofiaCoppola after ''Literature/TheVirginSuicides''. It stars Creator/BillMurray and Creator/ScarlettJohansson, with Creator/GiovanniRibisi and Creator/AnnaFaris in notable supporting roles.
Bob Harris (Murray) is a Hollywood actor past his prime, who despite his fame and success feels existentially empty. He goes to Tokyo [[{{Japandering}} to play in a commercial for the Suntory whiskey brand]]. Plagued by insomnia, he meets Charlotte (Johansson), the young and bored college grad who has followed her oblivious fashion photographer husband (Ribisi) to Japan, where he's photographing a ditzy film starlet (Faris).
With too much time on their hands and no idea what to do in Japan, Bob and Charlotte drift together and become emotionally close.
Won an UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Original Screenplay.
------
!!Contains examples of:
* ActorAllusion:
** The gag about not getting the Creator/SeanConnery Film/JamesBond films. In RealLife, the popularity of the Bond films led to Connery doing a famous series of ads for Suntory. Given that Creator/FrancisFordCoppola [[BitingTheHandHumor was also part of that series of ads]], this was most likely intentional.
** Downplayed but present. Creator/BillMurray's character is seen playing miniature golf, but deliberately does not channel his character in ''Film/{{Caddyshack}}'' ("Be the ball, be the ball...It's in the hole!") Murray and his brothers are all avid golfers in real life, and even host an annual charity outing.
* AluminumChristmasTrees: Bob Harris's {{Japandering}} commercial. Yes, kids, in the pre-Internet days A-listers like Creator/JodieFoster or Creator/HarrisonFord (almost certainly the inspiration for Bob Harris) could go to Japan and make a quick buck endorsing some product in a commercial that their Anglophone fans would never see.
* AmbiguousEnding: After everything, Charlotte and Bob simply say their farewells and go back to their lives; save for the mystery of what Bob whispers to her, and the plot simply ends on a rather vague but bittersweet note.
* ArcadeSounds: The arcade sounds in the film were not the original noises, but they're no PacManFever noises either.
* ArtImitatesArt: The opening shot of Charlotte is actually influenced by a painting by John Kacere, whose painting shows up later in the hotel.
* AuthorAvatar: Creator/SofiaCoppola based Charlotte on herself, while John is her then-husband Creator/SpikeJonze.
* BilingualBonus:
** Amusing scenes in which Bob and Charlotte interact with the locals are even funnier if you understand Japanese, such as the direction given to Bob.
--->'''The Director:''' ''[in Japanese, to his interpreter]'' The translation is very important, okay? The translation.\\
'''Interpreter:''' ''[in Japanese]'' Yes, of course. I understand.\\
'''The Director:''' ''[In Japanese, to Bob]'' Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whisky on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are [[Creator/HumphreyBogart Bogie]] in ''Film/{{Casablanca}}'', saying, "Here's looking at you, kid,"—Suntory time!\\
'''The Interpreter:''' ''[In English, to Bob]'' He wants you to turn, look in camera, okay?
** The old lady in the hospital waiting room asks Bob how many years he has been in Japan.
* BookEnds: The movie starts with Bob coming into the city in a cab it ends with him leaving the same way.
* TheCameo: Japanese late-night TV host Takashi Fujii, a.k.a. Matthew Minami, as himself.
* CelebrityParadox: Actually a weird subversion. While channel-surfing, Bob chances upon a ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' re-run that features a younger Bill Murray, but it is implied that InUniverse it is a movie or TV show featuring Bob Harris, not Murray.
* CentralTheme: Loneliness, exclusion, communication, and self-discovery.
* TheChanteuse: One has an act at the five-star hotel where Bob and Charlotte are staying.
* ChekhovsGunman: TheChanteuse, who seems to be nothing more than a bit of color in the hotel bar where Bob and Charlotte often wind up drinking...until Bob has sex with her, and Charlotte finds out. This drives a wedge between them and is likely what prevents them from consummating their relationship.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Charlotte and Bob's lunch at the ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant is fraught with tension, because Charlotte has just caught Bob sleeping with someone. Because of the UnresolvedSexualTension between the two (even though they're both married), the lunch was very awkward. The next day, as they're saying goodbye in the hotel lobby, Charlotte's in a forgiving mood. "That lunch was ''awful,"'' she says with a smile on her face. "Yeah. Who makes you cook your own ''food?"'' Bob replies.
* DeadpanSnarker:
** Bob Harris. Well, he ''is'' played by Creator/BillMurray.
** Charlotte also gets in her share of barbs.
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: Charlotte, and to a certain extent Bob as well.
* DumbBlonde: Kelly, the stereotypical blonde starlet who will natter on endlessly about nothing.
* ExoticBackdropSetting: Tokyo sure does look pretty.
* {{Fanservice}}: The opening close-up PantyShot of a sleeping Charlotte, followed by several more shots of her in her underwear.
* FishOutOfWater: Both Bob and Charlotte are completely unfamiliar with Japanese culture, and find life in Tokyo endlessly baffling.
* ForeignQueasine: Bob and Charlotte go to a ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant. The menu has a bunch of identical pictures of meat. Bob points to one with disinterest and later complains about having to cook his own food.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: The scene of Bob trying to reach an understanding with a Japanese native in hospital makes two ladies in the background unable to hold their laughter in.
* GenkiGirl: Kelly.
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: In-universe.
** Bob Harris is apparently a fading actor, but he's popular enough in Japan to endorse liquor.
** And the Japanese apparently think Roger Moore was the best James Bond actor.
* HighClassCallGirl: Bob is sent one complimentary. He rebuffs her, although her showing up with no notice and going "lip my stocking!" was part of the reason why.
* HollywoodToneDeaf: Kelly sings a song at the bar. Badly.
* {{Homage}}: The opening shot is a more fanservice-y recreation of one in ''Film/InTheMoodForLove''. The dinner scene at the Shabu-shabu restaurant is also a reference to the same movie.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: Charlotte is in her early to mid-20s, while Bob is pushing past middle age.
* IvyLeagueForEveryone: When Charlotte mocks Kelly's intellectual gaffe, her husband tells her that not ''everyone'' went to Yale.
* {{Japandering}}: The basis for Bob being in Japan is to make a Japanese commercial for whiskey.
* JapaneseRanguage: Used and {{lampshade}}d extensively. "Lip my stockings!"
** In one scene, Charlotte asks Bob why the Japanese mix up Ls and Rs. He jokingly claims that they do it for their own amusement.
* KaraokeBondingScene: While at a KaraokeBox, Bob and Charlotte each sing songs that evoke the needs their friendship is fulfilling, in Bob's case [[Music/RoxyMusic Roxy Music's]] "More Than This", a song about the passing of time and the need to live in the moment to avoid wallowing in the sadness of loss, and in Charlotte's "Brass in Pocket" by [[Music/ThePretenders the Pretenders]], which is about a woman attempting to gain the attention of a man in whom she is interested.
* KaraokeBox: Bob and Charlotte go to one, the site of the aforementioned KaraokeBondingScene, with their Japanese friends after a party.
* LifeOfTheParty: Subverted. As Creator/RogerEbert puts it in his [[http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/lost-in-translation-2003 review]] of the film: "Bob Harris, who could be funny, who could be the life of the party, who could do impressions in the karaoke bar and play games with the director of the TV commercial, but doesn't--because being funny is what he does for a living, and right now he is too tired and sad to do it for free."
* LonelyTogether: This is why Bob and Charlotte bond.
* LostInTranslation: Being the inspiration for the film's title, this shows up a lot. The most obvious example is the TranslationYes scene where the commercial director gives Bob a long spiel, and the translator just tells him to look at the camera.
* LoungeLizard: Bob has a one night stand with a female one.
* LuxuriousLiquor: Bill Murray's character is at one point shooting a [[https://youtu.be/qG6GaQl6wwA?t=135 commercial]] for the expensive whiskey brand "Suntory" in which he has to convey the "Liquor is Luxury" trope. Unfortunately, he doesn't understand the director's instructions due to an [[TranslationYes inept interpreter]] so the whole shoot is a strenuous endeavor. However, the [[https://youtu.be/4gjiQwh1p6M?t=118 photo shoot]] works out much better.
* MaleGaze: The camera will sometimes focus on Charlotte's rear end, especially if she is left alone in her apartment where she isn't wearing pants.
* MayDecemberRomance: The possibility of Charlotte and Bob's IntergenerationalFriendship turning into romance is always lingering beneath the surface, but it ultimately proves more pure than that.
* MidlifeCrisisCar: {{Lampshade}}d. Charlotte says to Bob, "Sounds like a midlife crisis. Did you buy a Porsche yet?"
* {{Motifs}}: Charlotte's detachment from her surroundings is often visualized by her observing the world through a window, be it from a cab, a train, or her hotel room.
* MsFanservice: Charlotte, courtesy of Scarlett Johansson.
* NextThingTheyKnew: With Bob and the lounge singer.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed:
** Anna Faris' portrayal of Kelly is based on director Coppola's rather dim view of actress Creator/CameronDiaz.
** Charlotte's husband John is thought to be a dead ringer for Coppola's ex-husband Creator/SpikeJonze; while Coppola did admit to basing elements of John's character off of Jonze, she denied making a flat-out copy of him.
** Bob the movie star doing a commercial for Japanese whiskey. Guess what real-life movie star did advertisements for a Japanese beer, Kirin Lager? Creator/HarrisonFord, that's who.
** Murray based Bob on Creator/CharlesBronson.
* PantsFree: Charlotte usually goes without pants when she's alone in her apartment.
* PantyShot: Charlotte as seen in the very first shot of the film lying on the bed before the title of the movie fades in.
* PinkIsErotic: MsFanservice Charlotte is seen in pink panties whenever she is in her apartment. Additionally, she also dons a ping wig.
* ProductPlacement:
** "For a relaxing time, make it Suntory time."
** One scene featured a ''VideoGame/PopNMusic'' machine, in which [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGjNPp7EdsE Dream Possession]] played.
* RealityHasNoSubtitles: As the title implies, the characters are alienated from their surroundings by not speaking the language or understanding the culture. This draws them to each other and causes them to do more self-examination than they otherwise would.
* RiddleForTheAges:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
** Also, who is the actor Bob was talking about to the waiter, the actor who has been married a couple of times and whom Bob doesn't care is gay or not?
* ShoutOut: The opening shot is a reference to ''Film/InTheMoodForLove'', which Coppola is known to be a huge fan of.
* ShrinesAndTemples: Charlotte visits a Zen temple. She later complains that she felt nothing from the experience.
* SilenceIsGolden: There are lots of notably centric sequences with no dialogue populated solely by the background noise of the scene and/or Coppola's music of choice.
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The movie is perfectly placed in the middle.
* SilentWhisper: Bob whispers something to Charlotte just before he leaves Tokyo.
* TalkShow: Bob is invited to appear on one.
* TranslationYes: The commercial director gives a long, emphatic spiel, but this is translated into curt and simplistic instructions. Bob objects that the director seemed to be saying more. [[note]]Here's what the director actually said: Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whisky on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are Bogie in Casablanca, saying, "Here's looking at you, kid,"—Suntory time![[/note]]
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Bob and Charlotte's friendship is obviously accented by mutual attraction that neither seem to want to act on. When Bob has a one-night-stand, Charlotte's cold reaction includes some jealousy.
* TheVoice: Bob's wife is only heard on the phone.
* WeddingsInJapan: Charlotte chances upon a traditional wedding while visiting Kyoto.
* WhatNowEnding: Charlotte and Bob are both stuck in their lives and need to make a choice about how to proceed. It's implied that their vacation in Tokyo will help them decide what to do next, but we don't know what their choices will be.
------
->''"I can't tell you how many people have told me that they just don't get ''Lost in Translation.'' They want to know what it's about. They complain 'nothing happens.' They've been trained by movies that tell them where to look and what to feel, in stories that have a beginning, a middle and an end. ''Lost in Translation'' offers an experience in the exercise of empathy. The characters empathize with each other (''that's'' what it's about), and we can empathize with them going through that process"''
-->-- '''Creator/RogerEbert '''
''Lost in Translation'' is a 2003 film, the second to be written and directed by Creator/SofiaCoppola after ''Literature/TheVirginSuicides''. It stars Creator/BillMurray and Creator/ScarlettJohansson, with Creator/GiovanniRibisi and Creator/AnnaFaris in notable supporting roles.
Bob Harris (Murray) is a Hollywood actor past his prime, who despite his fame and success feels existentially empty. He goes to Tokyo [[{{Japandering}} to play in a commercial for the Suntory whiskey brand]]. Plagued by insomnia, he meets Charlotte (Johansson), the young and bored college grad who has followed her oblivious fashion photographer husband (Ribisi) to Japan, where he's photographing a ditzy film starlet (Faris).
With too much time on their hands and no idea what to do in Japan, Bob and Charlotte drift together and become emotionally close.
Won an UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Original Screenplay.
------
!!Contains examples of:
* ActorAllusion:
** The gag about not getting the Creator/SeanConnery Film/JamesBond films. In RealLife, the popularity of the Bond films led to Connery doing a famous series of ads for Suntory. Given that Creator/FrancisFordCoppola [[BitingTheHandHumor was also part of that series of ads]], this was most likely intentional.
** Downplayed but present. Creator/BillMurray's character is seen playing miniature golf, but deliberately does not channel his character in ''Film/{{Caddyshack}}'' ("Be the ball, be the ball...It's in the hole!") Murray and his brothers are all avid golfers in real life, and even host an annual charity outing.
* AluminumChristmasTrees: Bob Harris's {{Japandering}} commercial. Yes, kids, in the pre-Internet days A-listers like Creator/JodieFoster or Creator/HarrisonFord (almost certainly the inspiration for Bob Harris) could go to Japan and make a quick buck endorsing some product in a commercial that their Anglophone fans would never see.
* AmbiguousEnding: After everything, Charlotte and Bob simply say their farewells and go back to their lives; save for the mystery of what Bob whispers to her, and the plot simply ends on a rather vague but bittersweet note.
* ArcadeSounds: The arcade sounds in the film were not the original noises, but they're no PacManFever noises either.
* ArtImitatesArt: The opening shot of Charlotte is actually influenced by a painting by John Kacere, whose painting shows up later in the hotel.
* AuthorAvatar: Creator/SofiaCoppola based Charlotte on herself, while John is her then-husband Creator/SpikeJonze.
* BilingualBonus:
** Amusing scenes in which Bob and Charlotte interact with the locals are even funnier if you understand Japanese, such as the direction given to Bob.
--->'''The Director:''' ''[in Japanese, to his interpreter]'' The translation is very important, okay? The translation.\\
'''Interpreter:''' ''[in Japanese]'' Yes, of course. I understand.\\
'''The Director:''' ''[In Japanese, to Bob]'' Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whisky on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are [[Creator/HumphreyBogart Bogie]] in ''Film/{{Casablanca}}'', saying, "Here's looking at you, kid,"—Suntory time!\\
'''The Interpreter:''' ''[In English, to Bob]'' He wants you to turn, look in camera, okay?
** The old lady in the hospital waiting room asks Bob how many years he has been in Japan.
* BookEnds: The movie starts with Bob coming into the city in a cab it ends with him leaving the same way.
* TheCameo: Japanese late-night TV host Takashi Fujii, a.k.a. Matthew Minami, as himself.
* CelebrityParadox: Actually a weird subversion. While channel-surfing, Bob chances upon a ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' re-run that features a younger Bill Murray, but it is implied that InUniverse it is a movie or TV show featuring Bob Harris, not Murray.
* CentralTheme: Loneliness, exclusion, communication, and self-discovery.
* TheChanteuse: One has an act at the five-star hotel where Bob and Charlotte are staying.
* ChekhovsGunman: TheChanteuse, who seems to be nothing more than a bit of color in the hotel bar where Bob and Charlotte often wind up drinking...until Bob has sex with her, and Charlotte finds out. This drives a wedge between them and is likely what prevents them from consummating their relationship.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Charlotte and Bob's lunch at the ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant is fraught with tension, because Charlotte has just caught Bob sleeping with someone. Because of the UnresolvedSexualTension between the two (even though they're both married), the lunch was very awkward. The next day, as they're saying goodbye in the hotel lobby, Charlotte's in a forgiving mood. "That lunch was ''awful,"'' she says with a smile on her face. "Yeah. Who makes you cook your own ''food?"'' Bob replies.
* DeadpanSnarker:
** Bob Harris. Well, he ''is'' played by Creator/BillMurray.
** Charlotte also gets in her share of barbs.
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: Charlotte, and to a certain extent Bob as well.
* DumbBlonde: Kelly, the stereotypical blonde starlet who will natter on endlessly about nothing.
* ExoticBackdropSetting: Tokyo sure does look pretty.
* {{Fanservice}}: The opening close-up PantyShot of a sleeping Charlotte, followed by several more shots of her in her underwear.
* FishOutOfWater: Both Bob and Charlotte are completely unfamiliar with Japanese culture, and find life in Tokyo endlessly baffling.
* ForeignQueasine: Bob and Charlotte go to a ''shabu-shabu'' restaurant. The menu has a bunch of identical pictures of meat. Bob points to one with disinterest and later complains about having to cook his own food.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: The scene of Bob trying to reach an understanding with a Japanese native in hospital makes two ladies in the background unable to hold their laughter in.
* GenkiGirl: Kelly.
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: In-universe.
** Bob Harris is apparently a fading actor, but he's popular enough in Japan to endorse liquor.
** And the Japanese apparently think Roger Moore was the best James Bond actor.
* HighClassCallGirl: Bob is sent one complimentary. He rebuffs her, although her showing up with no notice and going "lip my stocking!" was part of the reason why.
* HollywoodToneDeaf: Kelly sings a song at the bar. Badly.
* {{Homage}}: The opening shot is a more fanservice-y recreation of one in ''Film/InTheMoodForLove''. The dinner scene at the Shabu-shabu restaurant is also a reference to the same movie.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: Charlotte is in her early to mid-20s, while Bob is pushing past middle age.
* IvyLeagueForEveryone: When Charlotte mocks Kelly's intellectual gaffe, her husband tells her that not ''everyone'' went to Yale.
* {{Japandering}}: The basis for Bob being in Japan is to make a Japanese commercial for whiskey.
* JapaneseRanguage: Used and {{lampshade}}d extensively. "Lip my stockings!"
** In one scene, Charlotte asks Bob why the Japanese mix up Ls and Rs. He jokingly claims that they do it for their own amusement.
* KaraokeBondingScene: While at a KaraokeBox, Bob and Charlotte each sing songs that evoke the needs their friendship is fulfilling, in Bob's case [[Music/RoxyMusic Roxy Music's]] "More Than This", a song about the passing of time and the need to live in the moment to avoid wallowing in the sadness of loss, and in Charlotte's "Brass in Pocket" by [[Music/ThePretenders the Pretenders]], which is about a woman attempting to gain the attention of a man in whom she is interested.
* KaraokeBox: Bob and Charlotte go to one, the site of the aforementioned KaraokeBondingScene, with their Japanese friends after a party.
* LifeOfTheParty: Subverted. As Creator/RogerEbert puts it in his [[http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/lost-in-translation-2003 review]] of the film: "Bob Harris, who could be funny, who could be the life of the party, who could do impressions in the karaoke bar and play games with the director of the TV commercial, but doesn't--because being funny is what he does for a living, and right now he is too tired and sad to do it for free."
* LonelyTogether: This is why Bob and Charlotte bond.
* LostInTranslation: Being the inspiration for the film's title, this shows up a lot. The most obvious example is the TranslationYes scene where the commercial director gives Bob a long spiel, and the translator just tells him to look at the camera.
* LoungeLizard: Bob has a one night stand with a female one.
* LuxuriousLiquor: Bill Murray's character is at one point shooting a [[https://youtu.be/qG6GaQl6wwA?t=135 commercial]] for the expensive whiskey brand "Suntory" in which he has to convey the "Liquor is Luxury" trope. Unfortunately, he doesn't understand the director's instructions due to an [[TranslationYes inept interpreter]] so the whole shoot is a strenuous endeavor. However, the [[https://youtu.be/4gjiQwh1p6M?t=118 photo shoot]] works out much better.
* MaleGaze: The camera will sometimes focus on Charlotte's rear end, especially if she is left alone in her apartment where she isn't wearing pants.
* MayDecemberRomance: The possibility of Charlotte and Bob's IntergenerationalFriendship turning into romance is always lingering beneath the surface, but it ultimately proves more pure than that.
* MidlifeCrisisCar: {{Lampshade}}d. Charlotte says to Bob, "Sounds like a midlife crisis. Did you buy a Porsche yet?"
* {{Motifs}}: Charlotte's detachment from her surroundings is often visualized by her observing the world through a window, be it from a cab, a train, or her hotel room.
* MsFanservice: Charlotte, courtesy of Scarlett Johansson.
* NextThingTheyKnew: With Bob and the lounge singer.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed:
** Anna Faris' portrayal of Kelly is based on director Coppola's rather dim view of actress Creator/CameronDiaz.
** Charlotte's husband John is thought to be a dead ringer for Coppola's ex-husband Creator/SpikeJonze; while Coppola did admit to basing elements of John's character off of Jonze, she denied making a flat-out copy of him.
** Bob the movie star doing a commercial for Japanese whiskey. Guess what real-life movie star did advertisements for a Japanese beer, Kirin Lager? Creator/HarrisonFord, that's who.
** Murray based Bob on Creator/CharlesBronson.
* PantsFree: Charlotte usually goes without pants when she's alone in her apartment.
* PantyShot: Charlotte as seen in the very first shot of the film lying on the bed before the title of the movie fades in.
* PinkIsErotic: MsFanservice Charlotte is seen in pink panties whenever she is in her apartment. Additionally, she also dons a ping wig.
* ProductPlacement:
** "For a relaxing time, make it Suntory time."
** One scene featured a ''VideoGame/PopNMusic'' machine, in which [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGjNPp7EdsE Dream Possession]] played.
* RealityHasNoSubtitles: As the title implies, the characters are alienated from their surroundings by not speaking the language or understanding the culture. This draws them to each other and causes them to do more self-examination than they otherwise would.
* RiddleForTheAges:
** What did Bob whisper in Charlotte's ear at the end? Fans have used audio enhancement to get a vague idea, but it's still unclear. Ultimately it's irrelevant--Coppola wrote no dialogue for the scene and told Murray to just say anything so she could get the shot of his lips moving. When questioned on this matter in a Reddit AMA, Murray at least partially jokingly said he forgot.
** Also, who is the actor Bob was talking about to the waiter, the actor who has been married a couple of times and whom Bob doesn't care is gay or not?
* ShoutOut: The opening shot is a reference to ''Film/InTheMoodForLove'', which Coppola is known to be a huge fan of.
* ShrinesAndTemples: Charlotte visits a Zen temple. She later complains that she felt nothing from the experience.
* SilenceIsGolden: There are lots of notably centric sequences with no dialogue populated solely by the background noise of the scene and/or Coppola's music of choice.
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The movie is perfectly placed in the middle.
* SilentWhisper: Bob whispers something to Charlotte just before he leaves Tokyo.
* TalkShow: Bob is invited to appear on one.
* TranslationYes: The commercial director gives a long, emphatic spiel, but this is translated into curt and simplistic instructions. Bob objects that the director seemed to be saying more. [[note]]Here's what the director actually said: Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whisky on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are Bogie in Casablanca, saying, "Here's looking at you, kid,"—Suntory time![[/note]]
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Bob and Charlotte's friendship is obviously accented by mutual attraction that neither seem to want to act on. When Bob has a one-night-stand, Charlotte's cold reaction includes some jealousy.
* TheVoice: Bob's wife is only heard on the phone.
* WeddingsInJapan: Charlotte chances upon a traditional wedding while visiting Kyoto.
* WhatNowEnding: Charlotte and Bob are both stuck in their lives and need to make a choice about how to proceed. It's implied that their vacation in Tokyo will help them decide what to do next, but we don't know what their choices will be.
------
