Friendship needs no translation

Osmosis Jones, Ghostbusters and Charlie’s Angels are some of the movies of veteran actor Bill Murray. I didn’t like those movies because they were not inspiring. They didn’t make me a fan of Bill Murray either.

But after watching the second Sofia Coppola movie, Lost in Translation, I have not only become a fan of Bill Murray, his performance has also inspired me to become a friendly person.

In Lost in Translation, Murray plays Bob Harris, an American actor who was popular in the ‘70s. He is in Japan to film a whiskey commercial. Bob is having a mid-life crisis and doesn’t know what to do with his life. While in his hotel, Bob’s wife keeps sending him faxes regarding trivial things such as the color of carpets for Bob’s study.

Scarlett Johansson, on the other hand, plays Charlotte, the wife of a photographer who is always busy shooting in Japan. They are staying in the hotel where Bob is staying. Just like Bob, Charlotte doesn’t know what to do with her life. She and Bob have trouble sleeping so they usually spend their time drinking in the hotel bar. When Charlotte and Bob meet in the bar, they get to know each other and develop a friendship which takes away their sadness and boredom. They have fun going to different bars, singing with karaokes and telling each other about their lives. They realize that friendship needs no translation and that they have found a perfect companion in each other in a foreign country.

At movie’s end, before Bob returns to America, he whispers something to Charlotte. We do not know what it is, but if I were to guess, it would have been "See you soon."

Lost in Translation is the kind of movie that not only makes you laugh because of its humor, it also leaves you feeling good after watching it. I was quite sad when Lost in Translation did not win best picture in the recent 76th Academy Awards. Not only is it well directed, it is also well written.

I liked the way the movie shows how the Japanese switch the letter "l" with the letter "r". I also enjoyed watching Japan’s beautiful scenery and its rich culture. My favorite scene is when Bob gets invited to a talk show hosted by a Japanese gay named Matthew who is very funny. That scene reminds me of the similar cultures of Japan and the Philippines.

Another touching scene is when Bob tells Charlotte that the more you know who you are and what you want, the less you let things upset you. After hearing this, I now try different things so I will know what I can do and what I should do.

In one scene, Charlotte asks Bob if his life got easier after he got married. Bob answers that the moment your first child is born, your life as you know it is gone. I was astounded by this scene because I thought about how hard my parents work to give me a good life. I realized what it feels like to become a parent and how hard it is, so I told myself that I should always be grateful to my parents.

I also liked the message of the trailer of Lost in Translation – it said that sometimes you have to go halfway around the world to come full circle. I am usually picky when it comes to friends, but after seeing Bob and Charlotte’s relationship, I am a changed person who is friendly and happy. I learned from this movie that age, looks and wealth are not the bases for friendship; rather, it is kindness and companionship.