Lost in Translation (2003)

One of the first things I notice about a movie is the use of establishing shots, especially when they take place in cities. The vast majority of cities are simple blocks of concrete, glass, and steel. Few ever demonstrate an individualistic flair, like Tokyo does in this shot.



I like this shot because it shows how far this character is out of his element. He’s far away from home as it is. This otherwise pointless elevator shot demonstrates effectively how much this American visitor sticks out like a sore thumb.



I like how this shot sums up this character’s predicament. He’s in Tokyo for a couple weeks and his family is in the states. The arrangement of the items on the table shows that he’s used to sharing a portion of it with someone else. Without anyone to share it with, his lonely state becomes evident.