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Bill Murray is an excellent comic actor who has found a great deal of success in both flat-out slapstick and more literate flair. But like most clowns, Murray longs to be known as a serious dramatic actor, much as, ironically, many serious actors long to be known as clowns. Seems the old saw that the grass is always greener applies to acting, too. And so despite having found absolutely no success whatsoever in drama, Bill Murray continues to try, try again, and Lost in Translation is his latest effort along those lines.

Murray portrays a washed-up TV star who has traveled to Japan to shoot a whiskey commercial. While there, he meets a younger woman, the wife of a photograph, and the two spend a weekend together, soul-searching and seeking enlightenment. One also assumes there is a May-December romance, although this is not spelled out in so many words.

Lost in Translation is set for a limited release beginning September 19, 2003. If it follows the pattern of Murray's other serious efforts, it will likely hang around a while on the art-house circuit; it will attract critical attention, with some praising its genius and others railing against how boring it is; and will eventually find a home of sorts on video, where it could attract a bit of a cult following, à la Rushmore, or fade into obscurity, à la The Razor's Edge. And with any luck, Murray will return to his forte, comedy, until the "serious actor" bug bites him again. (Stephanie Star Smith/BOP)

September 7, 2003
Since screening at the Venice Film Festival (where Scarlett Johansson nabbed an acting award for her performance), the buzz on Lost in Translation just keeps getting better and better. Word is that Sophia Coppola has succeeded in making a tender, funny movie about the ways in which people can become lost in, and alienated from their lives, only without all the Chuck Palahniuk-esque poseur rage. And happily, it sounds like the Murray/Johansson relationship is more nuanced than the standard "over the hill guy scores with hot young love interest" bit that we've seen so many times before. (Jennifer Turnock/BOP)

Vital statistics for Lost in Translation Main Cast Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson Supporting Cast Anna Faris, Giovanni Ribisi Director Sofia Coppola Screenwriter Sofia Coppola Distributor Focus Features Trailer Click Here for Trailer Official Site http://www.focusfeatures.com/ Rating R Running Time 102 minutes Screen Count 23 Awards Venice Film Festival Upstream Prize for Best Actress- Scarlett Johansson Awards page for Lost in Translation Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture

Comparison films for Lost in Translation
Title	Date	Opening	Adjusted Opening	Screens	PSA	Adj PSA	Total BO	Adjusted Total	Mult
Majestic, The	12/21/01	4.90	5.22	2361	2077.00	2132.1	27.80	29.67	5.61
Rushmore	2/19/99	2.80	3.33	764	3665.00	4184.4	17.10	20.37	3.63
Virgin Suicides, The	5/12/00	0.60	0.67	270	2222.00	2391.0	4.78	5.34	6.15