The Unspoken Conversation: Lost In Translation and Her
Cinema possesses a captivating ability to capture human emotions and relationships. Equally fascinating is how the personal experiences of its creators help us discover insights about ourselves.
There’s one case that deeply connects with me, and it involves two films I truly adore: Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation and Spike Jonze’s Her.
Apart from the fact that Coppola and Jonze are among the most talented directors of their generation, they were once married. Both films were created after their divorce, and due to the content of these films and several other factors I’ll discuss, we can argue that both films tell a similar story.
In 1999, Sofia Coppola and Spike Jonze tied the knot. At that time, both were enjoying successful points in their careers. Sofia had just garnered critical acclaim for her debut film, The Virgin Suicides, while Spike, known for his groundbreaking work in the music video industry, made his directorial debut with Being John Malkovich, establishing himself as a visionary filmmaker. Unfortunately, in 2003, they ended their marriage with a divorce.
Sofia Coppola and Spike Jonze are both, in one way or another, artists who craft “personal projects.” Their lives and experiences play a significant role in shaping their narratives and their art.
In this context, one can analyze both films in tandem, uncovering their shared elements as well as their differences, which reflect the marriage and divorce experiences of each filmmaker. What’s particularly intriguing is how each of them perceives themselves and the other person within their respective stories.
Lost In Translation
Sofia’s film narrates the tale of two individuals adrift in their lives. Charlotte is an emotionally neglected wife, married to John, a photographer who is always immersed in his work. Their relationship lacks any genuine connection, leaving her mostly alone in Tokyo, where he is busy with his job. Bob, on the other hand, is a middle-aged actor who has lost his fame and glamour. His family relationships are strained, and he arrives in Tokyo to shoot a commercial for a whiskey company, feeling lost and as if he’s merely going through the motions of life.
At its core, Lost In Translation is a film that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, the loss of connections, and the search for meaning.
Throughout the story, Charlotte grapples with a profound sense of isolation. Even when her husband is physically present, he remains emotionally distant. In Tokyo, she finds herself alienated from the culture and language, struggling to establish any meaningful connections, even with her own self.
The initial time we encounter Charlotte in a full view on screen is in a long shot, where she sits before a large hotel window, enveloped by the sprawling cityscape before her, a visual portrayal of her isolation.
Charlotte subsequently endeavors to establish a connection with her surroundings and embarks on a quest for purpose. She engages in cultural activities, explores the city on foot, and goes as far as purchasing an audiobook on the pursuit of meaning. Ironically, each attempt she makes only serves to distance her further, intensifying her feelings of alienation and isolation rather than leading her toward a connection.
After some time, Charlotte undergoes an existential crisis that deepens her disconnect from both herself and her life, leaving her at a crossroads where she begins to question the choices she has made.
Charlotte’s primary issue lies in the emotional disconnect between her and John. The aimless moments they share, coupled with their shallow interactions with his friends, illuminate the vast chasm and emptiness within their relationship. This prompts her to seek connection elsewhere.
This occurs when she meets Bob. From the moment they meet, a distinctive and profound connection blossoms between them. Both of them are adrift and experiencing difficult phases in their lives, both emotionally and psychologically. Their conversations create a sense of companionship, reassuring them that they are not alone, and they swiftly forge a significant understanding and connection.
The lost Bob unexpectedly assumes the role of a mentor figure for her, offering life guidance that in many ways reflects his own inner dialogue. Meanwhile, Charlotte rekindles Bob’s zest for life, culminating in a captivating sequence where they playfully run through the neon-lit streets and arcade spaces of Tokyo, evoking a childlike sense of joy.
Throughout the journey of Bob and Charlotte, Lost In Translation profoundly delves into themes of isolation, disconnection, and the search for meaningful connection.
Her
Her takes place in a futuristic city and narrates the tale of Theodore, a recently divorced and isolated man who develops a romantic relationship with Samantha, an artificial intelligence — ironically played by Scarlette Johansson.
Her explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for a profound connection. It also raises inquiries about the nature of such connections and the challenges of moving forward after losing a deep and meaningful relationship, in a really thought-provoking premise.
Following his divorce, Theodore became an extremely isolated individual. Catherine’s departure leaves him in a state of grief and emptiness that he struggles to cope with, creating a complex situation that the film goes on to explore.
His coping mechanism involved immersing himself in the new games and technologies of the era, ultimately leading to his encounter with the AI, Samantha.
In Samantha, he finds the companionship he had been missing. She provides him with a sense of intimacy that he had struggled to find in other people following Catherine’s departure. Samantha essentially becomes his sanctuary, effectively filling the void left by Catherine.
In this context, the film unveils the complexities and contradictions inherent in the solution Theodore has found. Even though Samantha fulfills his needs, it raises questions about the authenticity and sincerity of their relationship.
Two Films, Two Directors, One Conversation
The distinctions and resemblances between the two films mirror Sofia and Spike’s perspectives on their marriage and divorce.
Essentially, both films revolve around coping with isolation following the conclusion of a significant relationship.
In Lost In Translation, Charlotte grapples with the aftermath of her “emotional breakup” with John, which leaves her deeply isolated within her own world and self.
In Her, Theodore severs his connections with both the world and himself following his divorce from Catherine, resulting also in his own isolation.
This serves as the starting point for both films, and they both delve into the process of grappling with the aftermath of such situations.
Following this period of isolation, both films embark on a search for connection and the pursuit of genuine, meaningful relationships. In “Lost In Translation,” this journey is embodied in Charlotte’s relationship with Bob, while in “Her,” it is epitomized by the connection between Theodore and Samantha.
The conclusions of both films, in a way, convey a sense of hopefulness, but it’s intriguing to note that they are markedly distinct from each other.
Sofia Coppola’s conclusion suggests that in the most distant and unlikely of circumstances, individuals in very distinct phases of life can forge a genuine connection — a rather idealistic conclusion.
On the other hand, Spike Jonze approaches the conclusion with a mature and pragmatic perspective. After his heartbreak, his divorce, and his failed relationship with Samantha, he arrives at the realization that his happiness and sense of connection are not fundamentally dependent on external factors; they must originate from within himself.
As previously mentioned, an intriguing aspect of this analysis lies in the perspectives we hold of ourselves and others, as well as how we are perceived by others on different sides of these parallel narratives.
In the context of both films being narratives about pivotal moments in the lives of their respective filmmakers, we can draw a parallel where Catherine represents Sofia Coppola, Theodore embodies Spike Jonze in Her, and in Lost In Translation, Charlotte represents Sofia while John embodies Spike.
In Sofia’s perspective within the narrative, Jonze’s presence is scarcely evident. He is depicted as an inattentive husband, neglecting her, and lacking any meaningful connection. He remains preoccupied with work and friends, keeping a considerable distance.
In Jonze’s narrative, we witness a different side of him — a kind and sensitive individual who struggles to move on from the divorce. He finds it difficult even to sign the paperwork, portraying a John, or Jonze, in contrast to what we saw in Sofia’s perspective.
Similarly, this duality applies to Charlotte and Catherine. Charlotte is depicted as a successful but lost individual in need of support, love, and meaningful connection from her partner. However, in the case of Catherine, Jonze adopts a more conservative approach, showing her only through fleeting glimpses of happy memories, reflecting what he remembers or perhaps what he chooses to remember.
The realization of how we perceive ourselves and others, and how we are perceived, is a fascinating and thought-provoking subject. Despite having shared years together, when each one speaks about the other and themselves, we observe two entirely distinct individuals.
Personally, I hold an appreciation for both films, with perhaps a slightly stronger affinity for Lost In Translation. Moreover, I value them even more when viewing them as an unspoken dialogue between Sofia and Spike.
