Lost In Translation was written and directed by Sofia Coppola. It was released in 2003 and stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, as well as Japan, and the city of Tokyo, which are characters of this film, as well. The movie explores themes of loneliness, friendship, relationships, insomnia, existential ennui, culture shock, and love.

It is one of my Top 5 favorite movies.

Lost In Translation (2003)
Written and Directed by Sofia Coppola
Movie of the Day

“I just don’t know what I’m supposed to be.” – Charlotte

“You’ll figure that out. The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” – Bob

Does age really change the way you see the world? Does it change the way you see yourself in it? Does it get easier, as Bob suggests to Charlotte? Do we believe him, or is he trying to convince himself that life has gotten easier – when it very clearly hasn’t?

One of the things I love most about Charlotte and Bob’s relationship is the way it illustrates that we are all confused and still searching for ourselves at any age. That we are all still longing for human connection, and for answers. I honestly don’t think that ever gets easier. I also don’t think the desire to connect ever goes away either, nor does the possibility that we can.

For me, it is connecting, and the possibility of connecting, that makes it all worth it. Those moments we share with another person, sometimes unexpectedly, is one of the best things there is about being in our lives. Don’t you think?

Trying to articulate the reasons and whys of my love for this movie always trips me up and has me uncharacteristically without words. Its a feeling, the way I find myself “lost” in this movie every single time I watch, and how completely emotionally moved I feel for Charlotte and Bob. Every time I watch it I feel more.

Sometimes it leaves me feeling sad. I breathe in the regrets and the longing that is so palpable in their story. Other times though, the film leaves me feeling hopeful and more alive. I find myself looking forward to the future, to the adventures ahead, to the unexpected – and to all those irreplaceable moments of connection.

At the end of the movie, Charlotte and Bob embrace, and Bob whispers something inaudible (to the “audience”) to Charlotte. I’ve always wondered what was said, and through the years, and re-watches, I’ve contemplated various things that he might be saying. The one I tend to come back to most often is “I love you,” in some way, or another, whether it is followed by “but I can’t”, or “maybe someday”, or “let’s find each other again”, it almost always includes “I love you”.

What do you think Bob said?