Friday, February 06, 2004
I saw two fantastic films with some interesting similarities. You might not notice it at first, but they have a connection. First, I bought the DVD "Lost In Translation" starring the wonderful Bill Murray & Scarlett Johanson. Having been a Bill Murray fan most of my life, I had high hopes for this film and Sophia Coppola didn't disappoint. She has crafted a nice "little" film that is simple and complex at once. It follows the lives of two people (Bob & Charlotte) who are lost, in the sense that they are searching for truth and purpose. One is just beginning and the other is farther along, but both still struggle. One is simple, the other complicated, but yet they manage to find solace in each other's company. They explore the Japanese culture together and discover they have found a bit of what they are searching for in each other's companionship. Both touching and funny, this is a big movie made up entirely of small moments. I loved it!
Next, I saw another great film, "The Last Samurai" featuring Tom Cruise. "What Similarities?!?" you may be wondering? "Well, aside from the fact that they both begin with "L" and take place in Japan," you might be saying " they couldn't be more different!" OH! How WRONG you would be!!! These films have a common thread in that the main character, a world renowned "Indian Fighter" (Nathan Algren) is also searching for something. It has evaded him his whole life. He sought answers in war, in his writings, and even in alcohol, but still feels out of place in the world. After being hired by the Japanese to train soldiers to fight the Samurai opposing the Emperor, he is captured in a premature battle and held prisoner. He lives among them through the winter and spring, where he discovers something he's been longing to find. His honor. Beautifully shot and edited, this is as dramatic and tense a film as I've seen in a long while. Although a tiny bit predictable, it was an incredibly powerful film rife with irony and action. "The Last Samurai" contains some of the most spectacular battle scenes, but at it's core it's a tender film about finding something more important than self. Enjoy Both!!
Next, I saw another great film, "The Last Samurai" featuring Tom Cruise. "What Similarities?!?" you may be wondering? "Well, aside from the fact that they both begin with "L" and take place in Japan," you might be saying " they couldn't be more different!" OH! How WRONG you would be!!! These films have a common thread in that the main character, a world renowned "Indian Fighter" (Nathan Algren) is also searching for something. It has evaded him his whole life. He sought answers in war, in his writings, and even in alcohol, but still feels out of place in the world. After being hired by the Japanese to train soldiers to fight the Samurai opposing the Emperor, he is captured in a premature battle and held prisoner. He lives among them through the winter and spring, where he discovers something he's been longing to find. His honor. Beautifully shot and edited, this is as dramatic and tense a film as I've seen in a long while. Although a tiny bit predictable, it was an incredibly powerful film rife with irony and action. "The Last Samurai" contains some of the most spectacular battle scenes, but at it's core it's a tender film about finding something more important than self. Enjoy Both!!
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