Change Your Image
sumitaki
Reviews
Lost in Translation (2003)
much to appreciate if we watch with an unbiased view
Set in the city of Tokyo, Lost in Translation introduces us to Bob, an alienated middle-aged actor, who meets an equally alienated young lady by the name of Charlotte. Their shared unease and anxiety stem from their unfamiliar surroundings and their displaced families. This film describes how they find modest relief through their encounter.
Director Sofia Coppola produced this film on the basis of her own experience in Tokyo. Inspired by the mood and view of the city, LiT is a record of what she perceived and felt, honestly described from her delicate point of view. The Tokyo she depicts is inorganic and also creates a stateless atmosphere filled with neon and locked rooms, like a karaoke room and a parlor. She also includes comedy elements developed from what she found amusing and funny in Japan.
Some people criticize the way Japanese are portrayed in this film, arguing that they are portrayed too one dimensionally. Indeed there are some portraits that create unpleasant feelings and are not convincing. For example, the scene in which a woman suddenly comes into Bob's room and tries to seduce him goes too far, even if it is intended as a joke. Although non-Japanese viewers may be naively amused, some Japanese viewers may feel unpleasant and insulted.
On the other hand, the portrayal of Japan in this movie may be truthful to the experience of foreigners, who may at first find Japan queer, eccentric and mysterious. To see in the same country within a matter of days neon cyberpunk scenes in Tokyo along with traditional Kyoto temples and gardens must be striking for visitors. And scenes such as Bob's head jutting out of the crowd of small Japanese in an elevator can be seen almost anywhere there are westerners in Japan.
In the end this movie, though, is not about Japan and or about cultural differences but about alienation in a foreign environment. Bob and Charlotte, who share a sense of loss, could never be attracted to each other except in this kind of foreign environment. If they were in their homeland, they would live without being aware of a sense of loss for themselves and would not approach each other. Their encounter is possible and valuable because it takes place in a foreign environment in striking contrast to their own.
Lastly, the overall atmosphere of this film is very attractive. The scenery of the city is especially attractive, even to Japanese used to seeing it, and the music adds a tasteful and melancholic air. There is much to appreciate if we watch with an unbiased view.
Suwingu gâruzu (2004)
not bad but might cheer you up
Set in a remote country high school in the region of Tohoku, SWING GIRLS is the story about the struggle of a group of girls with a passion for jazz that brings laughter and tears. The girls begin practicing music on the pretext of skipping summer make-up lessons. At first, they are not enthusiastic but as they learn little by little to make sounds they become gradually fascinated by jazz. They make up their minds to form a big band by themselves, but they have no instruments, money or places to practice. They then get part-time jobs to finance their band, but nearly all result in failure and they face a crisis of a breakup of band. But with their passion for jazz and their cheerfulness, they manage to stay to together and to take part in a music festival, at which they give a rousing performance in the film last scene. Besides mastering their instruments, the girls also grow mentally and learn to carry out a project to its end.
The director of this movie is Shinobu Yaguchi, director of the hit film WATER BOYS. He seems to like to make this kind of story. The basic theme of both movies is the same: poorly motivated students learn to succeed. As WATER BOYS was the first of its kind, the image of WATER BOYS is apt to go ahead of SWING GIRLS. Even if characters turn from boys to girls and the subject turns from sport to music, SWING GIRLS may be regarded as only imitation of WATER BOYS. However, the praiseworthy thing in Yaguchi movies is that actors and actresses themselves actually perform on screen. In SWING GIRLS, the actresses underwent very hard training for to master their instruments in order to create a powerful and appealing performance.
While I enjoyed this movie very much, there are some unsatisfactory points. The development of story is too forced and too convenient. The process of mastering instruments is especially too sudden. It is hardly possible to acquire such great skills with such halfhearted and short practice. Mastering instruments is never easy and is accompanied by hardships and frustrations. I wanted to see this process and how joyful they are when they learn to play their instruments. It is disappointing that their efforts are not described.
But in the face of the actresses' incredible cheerfulness and energy, arguments about the quality of the story are meaningless. There are many attractions in this movie. Due to their provincial accents and natural ease at portraying students, the actresses make the characters feel familiar and it is easy for us to empathize with them. The rural scenery, such as the railroad running through rice paddies and wide spaces completely covered with snow, creates a rich atmosphere. This movie is a very good entertainment and can serve to encourage us. I like to watch this movie again when I want to be cheered up.