Lost in Sofia Coppola's Style

 This week in class we were assigned to watch Lost in Translation directed by Sofia Coppola. There are certain types of movies that I do not enjoy watching. This film was sadly one of theme. Coppola's style does not include critical main plot points that go beyond the character's internal emotions. The film stays focused to what is going on internally within Bob and Charlotte. This may not be something I personally enjoyed, but it is what makes Coppola's movie strong. Bob and Charlotte are both experiencing extreme loneliness and midlife crises. Bob is unhappy in his marriage and isn't heard in his relationship, while Charlotte does not know where her future lies. 

Sofia Coppola begins her film with a shot that speaks more than one might believe. The shot is of Charlotte laying alone in bed in her panties. The focus of the shot are her panties. The shot is long and awkward for the viewers. It is long to the point that the viewer questions whether or not they should continue to look. This is what makes Coppola a strong auteur. She incorporates a feminist theme into her film without including any words or actions, it is truly remarkable.

Another shot that Coppola often takes is the main characters looking out windows. In their times of loneliness they are looking for purpose. They want to find their place and role in their lives. By having the character's look out the window, she adds a deeper meaning to windows themselves. There is one individual looking out a window at the world around them. They are looking through these windows to find answers to the questions they themselves cannot answer.

Charlotte looking out her hotel window

Bob looking out the taxi window

I did like how this was not a typical romance movie it was strongly rooted in friendship. Coppola brings two individuals that are going through similar problems and creates a strong needed friendship between the two characters. The two characters work together to work through their issues and find some meaning to their lives which they could not find alone. Coppola is great at allowing the viewers to see in detail what the characters are feeling and thinking. As an author would use adjectives to show the detail, the shots Coppola uses do the same. The ending scene of the film truly shows how genuine the friendship between Bob and Charlotte is. Bob runs out of the car and embraces Charlotte in the street. They then share a quick innocent kiss. I believe this ending was needed and really added a layer to the friendship of the characters.