Lost in Translation

Got around to seeing this over the weekend, mainly because American Splendour wasn't on anywhere in Manchester. Gah.

The Guardian critic, who likes about three films a year, had given it five stars, and I could see why.

The story follows two people-- one a jaded actor, one the young graduate recently married-- both feeling lost and lonely in Tokyo. The city is used to great effect, seeming surreal and remote at first, but then offering up a wealth of experience and fun when they start to explore it together.

Nothing as obvious as a romance happens-- instead, a glimpse is offered into that sublime moment that seems to happen most when travelling; the meeting of two kindred souls.

I won't go to into what happens, but the film was fun and sad and beautifully-observed, without ever spilling over into the contemptible schmaltz of supposedly touching and funny films like My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

But that's a rant for another post. ;)