“Let’s never come here again because it would never be as much fun.”

These words are spoken between Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson – about the incredible city of Tokyo – from the movie “Lost In Translation” – this week’s “Cult Movie Monday” is a terrific 2003 film that captures the energy, enthusiasm and mystery of one of the most magical cities in the world!

Behold The Majesty Of “Lost In Translation”!

One of the best films of 2003, this film is a love letter to a city – and to the two lost souls who find themselves in it…

Here is the film’s trailer:

Bill Murray has said that “Lost In Translation” is the favorite film he’s made…here is the plot:

Murray is Bob Harris, a big movie star who is in Tokyo to appear in a Suntory Whisky commercial, while also escaping an unhappy personal life back home.

While in Tokyo, he meets Charlotte, the young wife of a photographer. The film tells the story of the friendship that develops between them, with the city of Tokyo playing a major character as well.

The film was directed by Sofia Coppola, daughter of legendary Director Francis Ford Coppola – and she exhibits a confidence and subtlety in her direction that lets her characters shine…like this moment when they run through Tokyo’s legendary Golden Gai bar district…

Tokyo Is One Of The Movie’s Best Actors!

One of the film’s many joys is how Coppola captures the energy and excitement of Tokyo – using iconic locations and the amazing visuals of the city…so that the city plays a major role in the movie…and Golden Gai is indeed incredible…

More than 250 bars in a three block radius…here’s what it looks like up close – my Golden Gai tour:

https://johnrieber.com/2018/03/15/late-night-tokyo-live-music-potatoes-and-bacon-a-golden-gai-tokyo-adventure-2/

Now, back to “Lost In Translation”!

This is also one of Scarlett Johansson’s most nuanced performances, and she totally holds her own opposite Murray…

One of the movie’s most iconic images is also one of the first in the film – and it was a bit controversial at the time:

Scarlett Johansson said that she was reluctant to be filmed in practically transparent panties until Sofia Coppola modeled the panties herself to show her how they would look – and it’s now the most iconic image from the movie…

Scarlett’s husband is played by Giovanni Ribisi, a Professional Photographer who takes his wife along with him to Tokyo to film a Japanese band – and runs into a ditzy movie star he’d worked with. Rumors have abounded that the character Anna Farris plays in the film was based on Cameron Diaz. Sofia was around her while Diaz made “Being John Malkovich” with Sofia’s ex-husband Spike Jonz.

Coppola has denied it, but the “space cadet” blonde actress in the film has the style and tone of Diaz without a doubt:

Kelly: Everybody is always, like, “Kelly, you are anorexic.” And, I’m like, “No, I’m not.” I eat all kinds… I eat so much junk food, you wouldn’t believe it. I’d have a heart attack…
John: I thought you were anorexic…
Kelly: Everybody does…
John: [gesturing with his hands] Yeah, because you look so…
Kelly: [enthusiastically] Thank you. I know!

Another funny scene involves a woman sent to Murray’s hotel room to “entertain” him…but he was sent a dominatrix!

Premium Fantasy woman: Mr. Kazu sent me, premium fantasy. My stockings. Rip them.
[sounds like “lip them”]
Premium Fantasy woman: Rip my stockings. Yes, please, rip them!
Bob: What?
Premium Fantasy woman: Rip them. HEY! Rip my stocking!!!
Bob: Hey? Lip them? Lip them? What?

This movie gets better every time I watch it…and the ending is sublime…movies like this are so magical – and of course, Tokyo has never looked more alive…

The city of Tokyo is a main character in “Lost In Translation” – as Coppola sends her characters to some of Tokyo’s most iconic locations…

The neon of the city is amazing to behold – and of course, the nightlife is incredible as well. My wife and I got to stay at Tokyo’s Park Hyatt, featured so prominently in the movie:

We gazed out at Tokyo, and headed into the bar to see the action that was captured so well in the movie…here’s a look at this iconic Hotel up close:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/28/tokyos-iconic-park-hyatt-hotel-lost-in-the-translation-bar-views-of-tokyo-2016/

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Thanks so much for reading!

And let me know what you think of “Lost In Translation!”

Categories: Art, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Exotic Travel, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, Tokyo!, Travel Adventures, Uncategorized

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