Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson star in the Oscar-winning drama(Image: Publicity Picture)
Netflix has quietly added a beloved classic drama that secured the prestigious Best Original Screenplay Oscar in 2004.
The streaming platform boasts an extensive collection of Academy Award winners, and Lost in Translation deserves a spot on your weekend viewing schedule.
The 2003 comedy-drama was penned and helmed by Sofia Coppola, offspring of renowned director Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather). It follows an unexpected bond between American strangers Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson).
The duo initially meet each other in Tokyo, where fading film star Bob is set to shoot a Japanese whisky advert. Meanwhile, Charlotte is a troubled newlywed accompanying her celebrity photographer husband.
Following their encounter at the hotel bar, the pair realise they share more similarities than anticipated. Subsequently, the film explores important topics including isolation and the importance of human connection, reports the Mirror.
The dramedy proved an immediate hit with reviewers, securing four Academy Award nods for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Leading Actor (for Murray). Coppola later claimed the screenplay prize.
It also achieved a near-flawless 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics acclaimed: “Effectively balancing humour and subtle pathos, Sofia Coppola crafts a moving, melancholy story that serves as a showcase for both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.”
Audiences were similarly taken, although they granted the drama a more modest 85% rating.
One admirer enthused: “The movie is a masterpiece in every sense. Nothing wanting. If you want to learn about movie making, or just enjoy something purely brilliant, this is it. A work of art.”
Another viewer shared similar sentiments: “A hypnotically sweet and tender movie that’s quiet, but grows on you and makes you never want to leave its presence.”
Whilst someone else remarked: “One of the most real and raw movies I have ever seen, Coppola tells a beautiful tale of simple human connection, unlikely friends, and loneliness. This movie is wonderful and thoughtful from start to finish. Deciding never to watch it would be a mistake.”
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Another cinema-goer raved: “A truly magical experience. Concise, yet meaningful, dialogues where you have to read between the lines to uncover their true depth.
“Simple, yet touching, story that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Breath-taking visuals that complement the story. In fact, the main character IS indeed the city of Tokyo that unites two wandering lonely souls.”
