Double Feature

Lost in Translation

Sofia Coppola dazzled us with her second film, Lost in Translation, shot almost entirely in Tokyo, taking us through the bright and busy entertainment district, and juxtaposing that against the intimacy of the hotel bar where Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) meet and form a romantic – albeit unconsummated – romance. Bob has grown disillusioned with his marriage and career, agreeing to do a Japanese whiskey commercial in Tokyo – where the slowdown of his career looms over him. Charlotte is two years into a marriage with her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi), who leaves her behind at the hotel while he is engrossed in his own creative endeavors, giving Charlotte time to question just where she fits in his busy life and whether or not she’s fulfilling her own potential. Cinematographer Lance Acord captured a neon vivid and, alternately, melancholy Tokyo, and Coppola’s Academy Award-winning script and sure handed direction invited the elegant and nuanced performances from Murray and Johansson, as the two Americans grow slowly intoxicated with the sense that their unlikely friendship could grow into something more.

“Sofia Coppola’s stealthy romance about two Americans stranded in Tokyo is a work of marvelous delicacy – and offers the performance of Bill Murray’s career.” – Stephanie Zacharek, Salon

“Tart and sweet, unmistakably funny and exceptionally well observed.” – Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

“Well, I loved this movie. I loved the way Coppola and her actors negotiated the hazards of romance and comedy, taking what little they needed and depending for the rest on the truth of the characters.” – Roger Ebert

Tokyo Pop

Bleach-blonde wannabe rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and a fish out of water, she moves into a youth hostel for gaijin (foreigners) and takes up work as a hostess at a karaoke bar. Just when she’s at her breaking point, she meets Hiro (Diamond Yukai), a rock ‘n’ roller whose band is looking for their big break. They form a romantic and musical connection and Hiro convinces Wendy to become their lead singer. Through a combination of hustle and luck, they stumble into their 15 minutes of fame, but Wendy soon comes to realize that being a gaijin rocker may be nothing more than a passing fad. An underseen gem of ‘80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tokyo Pop takes us on a breezy tour through bubble era Tokyo, replete with knowing nods to the city’s vibrant pop culture. (Kino Lorber)