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Ford Fairlane loses it all for LOST IN TRANSLATION - a great film!
Hey folks, Harry here... I posted My Review last week and with every day that goes by, I hunger to see it more. This is a film that lingers in your mind like a fond memory of a place you want to revisit, a conversation with a soul you miss. Every single friend of mine that attended the screening I had here in Austin has called me up to ask... repeatedly, when it plays in Austin again. It really is that good. Ford Fairlane, well he was caught off guard by the film and it blindsided him... he's a bit crazy below, but you'll see it's because his mind was blown by a movie that never drags teeth.
Hey Harry. Ford here, and I am still gathering myself from the powerhouse that is Lost In Translation. Tonight was an absolutely historical event at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.
First off, we got to screen Lost In Translation, so let me start with that. This movie could have been done in a thousand different ways, with the majority of them falling into a labor of melodrama, of a rather paint by numbers romantic dramedy, and avoids ever going the easy way out. It's one of those "Where did my passion go?" stories, where two people in similar but completely different circumstances find each other, and help each other find their way. But the end could have been really hokey, and the dialogue could have been two funny, and it could have become too much of a comedy, and it could have been too heavy on the drama, but dammit, this movie hits everything just right.
Truth be told, I have been an average Sofia Coppola fan at best. I liked Virgin Suicides, but never really got that complete connection with it that so many other people did. I thought there were many fantastic things about it (and hell, the movie had Michael Pare in a great bit part, and every movie should be required to have a bit part for the man that took down Raven in Streets of Fire), but it just never was the movie I kept hearing that it was.
But no sophomore slump here. Virgin Suicides was her rookie season, and now she's hitting 'em out of the park. This movie also works on such a personal level with her. I might be looking too far into this, but everyone has heard the rumors of her and Spike Jonze breaking up, and when you think of that watching the movie, you wonder just how autobiographical this picture really is. Before she made this movie was when Jonze was making it huge with Being John Malkovich, and then he had Three Kings, the Jackass television series, and the film, and Adaptation. Don't get me wrong. I think that Spike Jonze is amazing, and I have nothing personal against him. But think of it from Sofia Coppola's point of view. Like her husband Giovanni Ribisi, who is great, Jonze probably often was too busy to completely devote himself to their marriage, regardless if he realized he was doing it. And maybe she felt that distance between them, like the main character in this film, was becoming too great, and she began to wonder exactly who she was, and where they stood in this world anymore, be it together or not. One has to think that there is an incredible amount of her personal life in this film, especially when you watch it and you feel all of those notes ring so true. It's not a 90210 love story. It feels just like real life. And one only needs to take one look at Anna Faris in the film to realize that she is Cameron Diaz, and swirling ass or not, my man, you have to admit this. She was in Malkovich, like Faris' character had worked with Ribisi before. And she has said in interviews that Jonze was her favorite director, much like Faris proclaims for Ribisi in this film. And one wonders if these scenes of Diaz popping up, and flirting with Jonze could have possibly happened in real life. And maybe it was those painful moments that brought such a true and amazing weight, value, and truth to this film. Because in my opinion, you don't create pieces like this without having lived a good deal of it.
But let me stop myself before giving away all the credit. This film belongs to everyone involved. It simply wouldn't have worked without the cinematography by Lance Acord makes Tokyo a mysterious, and fantastic world, and one that we can see these real characters exist in. He doesn't overdo it, as so many movies of this type have done. He captures everything just right, while letting the spirit of Tokyo blend through every shot.
Murray and Scarlet Johannson also deserve dueling Oscars for this film. For all of you that thought it couldn't get better than Rushmore, buckle your seatbelts. This could give it a run for its money. Bob Harris is such a perfectly flawed character. When he's on, he's the guy you always wanted to be, and when he's screwing up, you see a horrible reflection of yourself, and while you hate what he's doing, you understand that he's human, and can see yourself in the same shoes.
I'm trying not to make this too vague, because everyone should experience this film without knowing too much, so enough about the film. It's the best of the year. If it's this or The Matrix, go see this. Buy your tickets in advance, and tell all your friends.
After the film, Sofia Coppola was scheduled to discuss the film, but by surprise, we also had the surprise of Bill Murray attending for the Q&A. A standing ovation occurred, and it was an amazing spectacle. Murray and Coppola traded a few friendly barbs, gave the credit due to the cast and crew that helped them make such a wonderful film, and unfortunately, as all Q&A's have, the moronic questions came flying like 'Mr. Murray, will you do a sequel to The Man Who Knew Too Little' and another question about the end of the film, which had no business being asked. If you are one of the above two bozos, please never ask a question ever again at a Q&A when in the presence of greatness.
This review is a mess simply because this movie tore me apart.
Four breasts. Zero corpses. Camouflage shirt fu. Whiskey Fu. Commercial directing Fu. Gratuitous translation. God Save The Queen Fu. Karaoke Fu. Gratuitous photo taking. Rock n Roll detective nominations for Bill Murray for being Bill Murray. Rock n Roll detective nominations for Scarlet Johannson for saying "That was the worst lunch ever." Rock n Roll Detective nominations for Sofia Coppola for actually putting her heart into a film, which I hope audiences love her in return for. And Rock n Roll Detective nominations for Anna Faris for saying "...and we both have dogs, and both like yoga, and live in Los Angeles.." or something to that extent.
Sofia Coppola, I just want you to know that you broke my heart tonight, and I love you for it.
Out.
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I've been hearing a bunch about this. I think I'll definitely see it but do so with an open mind. I don't know though. It could be very bad but I try to make the best out of anything I see, even if it DOES happen to suck. I certaintly hope it lives up to the hype :)
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I don't care that I'm first. this movie sounds awesome. bill murray rocks. he's had so few chances to show off his drama. maybe this will be IT.
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Tokyo is a hell of an awesome place. Pure wonderland. Wet dream come true to see Bill Murray wandering the streets of Tokyo on the big screen.
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This movie is a crushing bore, worse even than Virgin Suicides if that's possible. It will open in a handful of art house theaters and promptly close. It's basically reality television, no script, no director, no point. If you were Coppola's daughter you could make movies too.
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Her first film (the virgin suicides) was a disaster and her brother's film, C.Q. was even worse. I love Bill Murray, but his presence is not enough for me to pay 9 bucks for Sofia's latest masterpiece.I'll wait for this film's release on dvd. And maybe,just maybe...I'll rent a copy.
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Aug 19, 2003 3:51:05 AM CDT
Americans really are the laziest fuckers on the planet
by grandocariissian
whenever i read a review written by a foreigner, they always start off by saying "english isn't my first language, please excuse any mistakes, etc.," then go on to write a perfectly comprehensible review with nary a grammar error or misspelling. yet when an american writes a review, in our own damn language, it sounds like non-sensical gibberish. i wonder if this movie addresses this problem... i know the review above certainly illustrates it. anyway, i know this may completely undermine the credibility of anything i've written here or elsewhere, but i for one thought "the man who knew too little" was fucking brilliant, and would love to see a sequel. the day "the man who knew even less" hits the multiplex, i'll be there.
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Ha! You Americans wouldn't know english if it kicked you up the arse! :)
But seriously, I thought the Virgin Suicides was good (although I think I was nearly sleeping when I watched it) so I think I'll give this a try, with all the good reviews its getting. -
Aug 19, 2003 5:35:24 AM CDT
Can you trust a guy that names himself after the great film...Fo
by bong
Next time lets have a review from a guy calledIshtar or maybe someone named Gigli...what about Howard the Duck?
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Here's hoping it lives up to my growing expectations. But I gotta back up the writer above - don't diss "The man who knew too little". It's an overlooked gem, and while this may not have been the ideal forum to ask about it, well, how often does one get a chance to ask Bill Murray questions? I can't see a sequel happening though - I don't think there's sufficiently high awareness of its quality.
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I also need to see this movie so bad it hurts.
Not only did I LOVE "The Virgin Suicides" which was a near perfect adaption of the Eugenides novel, I also LOVED Scarlett Johansen in "Ghost World" and "The Man Who Wasn't There". Plus Bill Murray, not really a bad word to say about him.
I have been waiting for another movie from Sofia for a good long while now. I can't wait much longer. -
Harry already spilled the beans. How do you spoil a film like this anyway?
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I was seriously dying laughing, it was so funny! Bill Murray is a frickin' comedy genius...this is one of the 5 best new movies I've seen all year. And christ, Bill in person, all pissed off and jetlagged, he brought down the house with his vicious attacks against the annoying emcee guy, and his musings about how hellish the grueling, six-week shoot was. I'm telling everyone about 'Lost in Translation', this movie fucking rocked. I have to agree with the reviewer, while 'Virgin Suicides' was fairly competent and well-made, Sophia's latest is about to get her some major frickin' acclaim. This feels like a definite Oscar nom contender.
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Harry Knowles is a completely incompetent writer, and so are most of the idiots whose reviews are posted on this once semi-interesting site.
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Aug 19, 2003 11:55:29 AM CDT
Sounds like a winner... and The adventures of Ford Fairlane is t
by weedymcsmokey
I might pay $10 to see Bill Murray eat lunch... Maybe not. It'll play here - I wonder if it's at the TIFF? Anyone?
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well, many of us are descended from English colonists, so it's our language too... but you're right, judging from the reviews on this site, most Americans for whom english is their first (and usually only) language can't write nearly as well as the people overseas who learned english as a 2nd or 3rd language.
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I was at the Egyptian last night as well, and it was indeed a lovely experience. I'm at work now and can barely function, I'm still fighting that longing in the pit of my stomach that started about twenty minutes before the movie ended, when I realized it would have to end and I didn't want it to. I'll be going to see this movie again when it is properly released and I urge everyone who hasn't seen it yet to go too! This movie should get the attention it so, so deserves.
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I disagree. I thought CQ was one of the most underrated films of last year. If you geeks haven't seen it, give it a chance. It was really a very cool, knowing, intensely creative film. And fun to boot which more then I can say for most of the films these days. It really does have sense of joy about movies. I hope this will be another gem from the Coppola tree. And I am always glad to see Fairlane in action. BTW, who didn't laugh at Ford Fairlane??? "You didn't think we'd kill the fucking koala bear?"
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Are you a woman? If not, that's some pretty bad criticism. I didn't think the Virgin Suicides was mispaced at all. But hey, one man's opinion. **** - "Now will somebody tell me what the fuck is going on, like, slowly?" "Well....it...all....started...at....this....condom....factory..."
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That movie was great...This movie looks great too!
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Don't worry fella, I was just joking. For the record, a goodly number of ENGLISH people can't use the English language all that well, either. The problem is that English just isn't taught very well to people who grow up with it. People who have to learn it later will be taught how to construct and punctuate a sentence, but I wonder if those same people write so carefully in their first tongue? Getting a bit off-topic now though.
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I'm telling you...it's HIS! Trust
me. NOBODY does it better! And
nobody makes me w--uh.,warmer.
Love you, BILL!!! -
had to ask...
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Can you believe that the man who once hunted Gophers could win his first Oscar? I can. I've always held that he's as talented as Hanks, and he once dressed as a woman.
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Ford I hate you for stealing the Drive-In totals, i should have done it first! Saw it today a screening. For all you horn dogs out there the 4 breasts belong to a pair of strippers. But Scarlett spends a whole lot of time in her underwear. Bill Murray golfing beaneath Mt Fuji is my favorite screen image this year. Sheer genius from top to bottom a nuanced, lovley and truly great film. There are three really bad boom shots though, perhaps as a goof. Bravo Sophia
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Aug 22, 2003 11:08:10 AM CDT
Bill Murray is the sexist tomboy beanpole on the planet
by lookcloser07
That's right. That Bill Murray is so sexist it's not even funny. I heard he was really mean to Scarlett.
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...then WHY would he agree to do
a film DIRECTED BY A WOMAN?!!!
Please! Oh, and "mean" to Scarlett? Don't you think a professional actor like Scarlett
knows how to do her job? Sexist..
ha! If you believe BILL is sexist, then maybe you'll believe that The Titanic didn't sink either!
Go see this film..you'll feel a
lot better.
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