I re-watched Lost In Translation (spoilers)

The Something Awful Forums > The Finer Arts > Cinema Discusso > I re-watched Lost In Translation (spoilers)

Red Ryder: Apr 20, 2006; oh dang

I disagree with the criticism that the protagonists of this or any movie must be morally justified

# ¿ Mar 5, 2020 17:55

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# ¿ May 15, 2024 07:26

Red Ryder: Apr 20, 2006; oh dang

TheOmegaWalrus posted:

I agree with your disagreement.

There are many great films which show the protagonist as unreliable, amoral or just flat unconcerned.

However in character-driven romances, maybe more-so than other genres, having a relatable party puts a dog in the fight for the audience. Drama only really works when the audience can empathize and relate to the characters, and romance only works when there is the capacity for love and awe.

If you are disgusted with the characters, you have a failure to launch.

I fundamentally do not see it as that kind of movie. It's not about being swept up in the romance between these two characters. They are two lonely, inwardly-focused individuals out of step with the people around them. They are sympathetic of course, but their behavior is still a sort of acting out in response to their boredom and alienation. I had no problem relating to the characters, even while finding their flaws apparent. There are plenty of stories about two people finding each other that are not meant to be instructive or aspirational, this way of looking at stories always baffles me. Is it "relatable" when Romeo and Juliet kill themselves?

# ¿ Mar 5, 2020 20:55

Red Ryder: Apr 20, 2006; oh dang

Segue posted:

I've realized that watching Lost in Translation for me is a lot like reading a stereotypical New Yorker short story, which may explain my aversion.

It's that privileged ennui that I just don't feel mines anything interesting or plays with the form enough to grab me. It may be technically well done but it doesn't feel revelatory, more like privileged white artists "writing what they know" and treating it as a great understanding when really it's the same poo poo our arts have been mining for ages and there are so many more interesting, less retreaded things to enjoy, especially with the accessibility of minority and international film voices now.

And I'm a working class Midwesterner and I still find the characters interesting. Is it not enough to say you just don't like a movie?

# ¿ Mar 9, 2020 07:48

The Something Awful Forums > The Finer Arts > Cinema Discusso > I re-watched Lost In Translation (spoilers)