2003

Lost in Translation (Director: Sofia Coppola)
Nominees: Memories of Murder, Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks, Cold Mountain, Oldboy, End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones, The Best of Youth, Spring Summer Fall Winter…and Spring, Mystic River

Oscars pick: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Nominees: Lost in Translation, Master and Commander: Far Side of the World, Mystic River, Seabiscuit 

Sofia Coppola directed Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson at their very best, in a movie about those beautiful connections that -while brief- stay with you for a lifetime. Brian Orndorf wrote – ”A relationship picture with elegant connective tissue; it's brittle and real, focused on the nuances of body language and unspoken desire, while indulging in a cheeky bit of knowing absurdity when the mood strikes."

That's a most brilliant movie summary, what more can I add?

I like how honest it is, how achingly tender the bond that develops between these two people.  I like the sense that even though they are in this crowded city surrounded by people, there's a loneliness that’s only capped when they are together.  It doesn't over-romanticize it, or overplay the little joys or hurts that come with any relationship. It doesn't overplay or over-explain anything. It just allows it to breathe and be observed.

I know of some folks who dislike it, dislike the measured pacing and minimalist story (the Oscar-winning script was basically 20/30 pages of notes) - but it's a special film for me - one that moves me every time I see it. I think I relate to that sense of feeling lost, needing to move, to do something -anything- though you're not sure of the how's or what's or where's needed to make such a decision. But you make a connection with someone and for a while, it's all, okay. Other movies have addressed this idea, but none so effectively as Translation; none linger and leave as deep an impression.

While I admire it for subjective reasons, it is also praiseworthy on the objective -- as in the contributions of editor Sarah Flack and cinematographer Lance Accord (I love the way this film is framed. There are picture postcard perfect shots throughout).  Their skillful involvement helped shape the look and rhythm of the film. All told – it's not only the best of the year but also my 'film of the decade'.

Oscar winner, LOTR: Return of the King didn't do a whole lot for me. It didn't help that the ending was a big stick - it refused to bow out until it had beaten me senseless with all that forced pathos. LOTR was a nice adventure with great production values, but I don’t feel that translates into "Best Picture of the year".

My top actor? It could be no other. I love Bill in just about anything, but he exceeded even my great expectations and showed a fuller, deeper side to his talents in Translation. There's not an abundance of dialogue, but he can say a lot through body language and expression. And without those grace notes, I don’t know that the film would have been as successful. Lisa Schwarzbaum wrote, "working opposite the embracing, restful serenity of Johansson, Murray reveals something more commanding in his repose than we have ever seen before. Trimmed to a newly muscular, rangy handsomeness and in complete rapport with his character's hard-earned acceptance of life's limitations, Murray turns in a great performance"

Best Actress: Toni Collette, Japanese Story
Honorable Mentions: 

Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen & The Missing * Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation & Girl with a Pearl Earring * Cate Blanchett, Veronica Guerin & The Missing * Naomi Watts, 21 Grams * Jennifer Connelly, House of Sand and Fog * Patricia Clarkson, The Station Agent & Pieces of April * Anna Geislerová, Zelary

Best Actor: Bill Murray, Lost in Translation (pictured top)
Honorable Mentions:
Paul Giamatti, American Splendor * Choi Min-sik, Oldboy * Peter Dinklage, The Station Agent * Song Kang-ho, Memories of Murder * Ewan McGregor, Big Fish * Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog * Rémy Girard, Barbarian Invasions * William H. Macy, The Cooler * Daniel Brühl, Goodbye, Lenin!

Supporting Actress: Marie-Josée Croze, The Barbarian Invasions

Supporting Actor: Nick Nolte, Hulk (pictured above)








Other movies I enjoyed includes X-Men United, Hulk, American Splendor, A Mighty Wind, The Missing, Underworld, Finding Nemo, The Station Agent, Elf, Bon Voyage, Owning Mahowny, Big Fish, The Barbarian Invasions, Down to the Bone, Zelary, The Human Stain, Down with Love


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