10 Excellent Films That Don't Actually Have A Plot
10. Lost In Translation (2003)
Director: Sofia Coppola Essentially about two lonely individuals who meet in Tokyo and form an unconventional friendship, Lost In Translation is a great example of a touching film that has absolutely no semblance of a plot. Instead, its about chance encounters and the overwhelming sense of isolation that a person can experience in an unfamiliar setting, especially one as vastly different (to American eyes) as Japan. The cinematography alone makes this one worth seeing, but what really sells the film as an experience is the relationship between the two principle characters, played by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Though each protagonist evolves dramatically, their character arcs aren't motivated by dramatic moments of revelation or startling realisation, but rather mutual understanding. They come to sympathise with and relate to one another, and though the film teases a possible romantic dimension to their relationship, it never quite happens. Its this level of maturity that marks Lost In Translation as a stand out film. Its not about two characters who fall in love and begin an affair, run away together and take ownership over their lives, its about being alone and coming to terms with that. At least, thats my interpretation.
