Lost in Translation

I moved to America from Russia when I was three. Russian was my first language so I know it pretty well.   There are certain words and phrases that sound a lot better when you say it in Russian and when you try to translate it to English, the meaning and the depth gets shaved off. It is "lost in the translation". The title of this film is very clever. 

Two Americans are in Tokyo, Japan. They both came for a reason, but they seem lost. Though they are surrounded by many people, everyone seems distant. They are constantly reminded of their unbelonging. Both of them feel distant, disconnected, and confused about their relationship with their significant other. The language barrier and culture differences make it hard to connect with people. It's almost as if their meaning and purpose was lost in the transition from America to Japan. The film shows us many bright lights, and loud noises coming from the city, arcades, clubs. But when they are in their rooms, they are back to quiet, darkness, and loneliness. 

At first, merely smiles and short conversations are exchanged between the two but quickly a connection is made.  There is no language barrier between them, and they both bond over their longing for something deeper. I like how there is nothing sexual about their relationship, but rather they form an emotional bond with each other. They experience a doomed love for each other. Charlotte brings Bob's youthful nature out and he brings her the love and emotional connection she can't get from her husband. Despite their obvious love for each other, they do not escalate into physical intimacy, and know that they are bound to be separated from each other. They must go on with their lives and move on. 

I like how in the end of the film, the audience is not told what Bob whispers into her ear. The plot continues to go against all expectations, starting with an uncomfortably long shot of Charlotte from behind in the opening scene, to not fully giving the audience the satisfying ending that they want. In the end we are left unfulfilled, wishing there was a happy ending for the two and wanting to know what he whispered to her. But we will never know. (click this link to watch an interesting crash course on the movie to gain a deeper understanding)