Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation Image
See the trailer
Metascore
89 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 44 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 629 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Starring: Bill Murray, Giovanni Ribisi, Scarlett Johansson
  • Summary: Unable to sleep, Bob (Murray) and Charlotte (Johansson), two Americans in Tokyo, cross paths one night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting soon becomes a surprising friendship. Charlotte and Bob venture through Tokyo, having often hilarious encounters with its citizens, and ultimately discover a new belief in life's possibilities. (Focus Features)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    Smart, funny, and splendidly acted.
  2. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    100
    This year's must-see film.
  3. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Stina Chyn
    80
    By the time the film was half over, I was ready to catch the next flight to Japan. Until travel arrangements can be made, though, I'll just watch Lost in Translation again.
  4. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    60
    It can be funny, but the humor is too often based in stereotypical perceptions of Asians (they're short, they're laughably polite, they eat weird food), and Coppola shamelessly invites us to laugh along with Murray's character, who, believe it or not, thinks it's hilarious when his hosts get their "r"s and "l"s switched.

See all 44 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 232 out of 365
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 365
  3. Negative: 112 out of 365
  1. ryancarroll88
    10
    If "Titanic" was the iconic bloated romance novel of movies, then "Lost in Translation" is the quiet, poignant poem that is all the more affecting because of that.… Expand
  2. Tubie
    8
    Another great movie with Bill Murray in it. I've always loved Japan and many things that come out of that country so the setting of this movie was a real treat for me, with a beautiful plot and a great cast. All of these things make this movie one of my favorites.… Expand
  3. AwesomeReviewer
    7
    “Lost In Translation” is a fine movie. The writing is pretty good and the film has a lot to say. There is a lot of underlying themes and dialoialogue that make you think and reevaluate your own life. However, the film falls short because of its execution. There are scenes and moments that are just beautiful and thought provoking, but we have to sit through a lot of dare I say it boring moments just to get to one of these “good parts.” The cinematography is elegant, but the urge to be artistic detracts from the sweet story that is being told. On the other hand when we do get these so called “good parts” they are well worth it and make us realize why we’re sitting through this movie.

    Characters and acting are good. The characters are deeply layered and enhance the film. They’re characters that we want to know more about and wish them the better in life. Bill Murray plays a man going through a mid life crisis where he feels like there is a sudden void in his life. Scarlett Johansson is a young girl who is in the infant stages f her marriage and recently graduated, but doesn’t know what to do with her life. They both balance each other out and fill in the wholes the other lacks. Their on screen chemistry is sweet, however the romantic aspect often becomes a bit weird.

    Overall, “Lost In Translation” is a solid film. Its writing is top class, but the overall story is missing that extra “umph” to take it to another place. The movie also teeters on boring, but the good parts and the depth are worth the slower pace. I give it 3.5/5, a solid romantic tale.    … Expand
  4. MarieH.
    3
    The creepy angst that pervades this film is uncomfortable to watch, and frankly doesn't tell me anything except that Bob is a bored, and vaguely meaningless person. I must have missed the funny parts.… Expand

See all 365 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Movies

    Ranked: The Best Women Film Directors (and Their Films)

    Ranked: The Best Women Film Directors (and Their Films) Image
    Published: July 17, 2010
    Even in a year where the directing Oscar went to a woman for the first time, female filmmakers still don't receive the recognition that their male counterparts do. We look at the top women directors and their films, including the two best-reviewed live-action films of the summer.
    More »
  2. Best of the Decade, Movies

    Film Critics Pick the Best Movies of the Decade

    Film Critics Pick the Best Movies of the Decade Image
    Published: January 3, 2010
    Dozens of film critics have made their lists of the best films of the past ten years, and we've tallied the results.
    More »
  3. Best of the Decade, Movies

    Ten Years of Metacritic: The Best (and Worst) Movies of the Decade

    Ten Years of Metacritic: The Best (and Worst) Movies of the Decade Image
    Published: December 17, 2009
    Our best of the decade coverage continues with a look at the past ten years in cinema. While the decade's best-reviewed movie may not have been a commercial blockbuster (or even in English), our lists turn up plenty of recognizable names in addition to obscure gems you may have missed.
    More »

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Star Trek Into Darkness
    User Score 7.9
  2. The Great Gatsby
    User Score 7.7
  3. Evil Dead (2013)
    User Score 7.6
  4. The Croods
    User Score 7.4
  5. 42
    User Score 7.3
  6. Oblivion
    User Score 7.1
  7. Pain & Gain
    User Score 6.6
  8. Iron Man 3
    User Score 6.6
  9. Olympus Has Fallen
    User Score 6.5
  10. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
    User Score 5.5
  11. The Host
    User Score 4.6
  12. Scary Movie 5
    User Score 2.6
  13. Tyler Perry's Temptation
    User Score 2.0
All Current Movies »