Lost in Translation: Movie Lessons

Lost in Translation is one of my favorite movies of all time. Sofia Coppola is one of my favorite directors of all time. In honor of the film’s recent 10 year anniversary, I decided to do a post on it and it’s relatable themes to college.

Sweaty hands, ketchup stained clothes, and a mind full of thoughts. This runs through a lot of college students’ minds as they have to keep deciding what to do. Things have to be decided on. Homework has to be done. Job/Internship applications have to be filled out. All of this combined is enough to overwhelm anyone.

So here comes the 2003 Sophia Coppola film Lost in Translation. It is a film about an American actor  Bob Harris (Bill Murray) who goes to Japan to film a whiskey advertisement. While in Japan, he feels disillusioned and out of place due to not understanding the language. He has problems in his 25 year marriage and is going through a mid-life crisis when he meets a young college graduate named Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson). The film explores a number of themes that can be relatable to many undergraduates.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons
Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Feeling of Being Lost, Not Knowing What to Do

            Many undergraduates are lost in the academia and events of college. They don’t know where to go. They have a series of commands endlessly told to them: focus on school, get an internship, apply to jobs, form good relationships with professors, eat healthy, manage your money.  It can all be a little (or a lot) overwhelming. This is how Bob and Charlotte feel while in Japan. They are put in a sea of things and are unable to make sense of it. Bob and Charlotte are unsure of the things going on in their lives and what to do about it.

Looking to be Found

Everyone wants to find their place in the world. They want to find their niche in society. Having to decide on a college major, what things to join, what jobs/internships to apply to can be daunting. Bob and Charlotte both feel the same way. Charlotte is unsure of what jobs she should take since she is now out of college. Bob is unsure of his next action/decision in life. Through several events the two characters are finally able to connect and understand each other. To translate into how this connects to college: there is no one action that will get you to where you want to be. It is completely normal to have to go through several events/jobs/clubs to find out what you really want.

All in all, Lost in Translation lets a person see that others feel overwhelmed and out of place too. Although if a person keeps at something (ex: working towards a college degree) it will pay off in some way. They will have a better understanding of themselves because of their past experiences.

Movie Review by famed movie critic Robert Ebert.

Job Hunt Lessons from Silver Linings Playbook

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/
Photo Courtesy of: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/

I have a different take on Silver Linings Playbook.  I want to talk about the lessons one can take from the movie. Lessons people can take along in their post-graduation job hunts and embracing themselves in the work world.

Helpful Support is all around

Throughout the movie the main character Pat (Bradley Cooper) receives support from all over. His family is helping him get on his feet again. Pat’s friend Danny, from the mental hospital, gives him advice. Pat even learns a few things from the other co-lead in the movie: recovering sex addict Tiffany Maxwell (played by Jennifer Lawrence).

The thing to notice is that encouraging resources are all around a person. Talk to your family or a professor about what you want to do for your career. Talk about how you want to make yourself better. Internship supervisors, college career service centers, and working professionals are willing to help you, you just have to ask. Take charge of the beneficial resources surrounding you.

Look for Silver Linings

Silver Lining- A sign of hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation (Dictionary.com definition)

Throughout your job search you are going to face lots of rejections, no replies and disappointment, but you should continue to look for a silver lining.

Pat at the beginning of the movie, despite having lost his wife and being released from a mental hospital, still believes in silver linings. Pat searches out for them and never gives up.

“You have to do everything you can. You have to work your hardest, and if you do, if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining.” –Pat Salatono   Silver Linings Playbook

So push aside the anxiety and nervousness of career searching and remember to always try to find a silver lining.

Embrace You

Tiffany Maxwell is the tough skinned woman Pat comes into contact with in the movie. Being a recovering sex addict, there are dark things about her past. Her sister tries to be the “better” one of the two by showing off her materialistic items in her house. Tiffany embraces the dark past that many look down upon her for.

“There will always be a part of me that is dirty and sloppy. But I like that. Just like all the other parts of myself.” –Tiffany Maxwell  Silver Linings Playbook

The point is to embrace who you are in your job search. Showcase your strengths; show what you can offer to the employer. Know who you are and what is unique about you.

New York Times Movie Review of Silver Linings Playbook.