A Comparison of Similarities of films Rebecca & Lost In Translation

 The Contrast and Comparison between Two Seemingly Opposite films surprisingly brought me to a similar emotional connection and compassion for both sets of main characters. 

REBECCA,  This movie was originally filmed in 1940.  It is an Alfred Hitchcock thriller starring Joan

Fontaine and Laurence Olivier and the remake starring Armie Hammer and Lily James in 2020. 

It is the story based on the original novel by Daphne du Maurier, of a young woman who marries a charismatic widower named Maxim De Winter.  She soon realizes that Maxim can not love her as his first wife and she becomes embattled in the efforts to win his affections over her memory.  An antagonist character of the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers causes ongoing difficulties for the second Mrs. de Winters.  

This movie both in the original Alfred Hitchcock version and the modern attempt in 2020 provides the audience with intricate detailing of telling the story.  The original presents more focused attention to the suspense and mystery of the death of Rebecca de Winters.  The latter though, considering the sign of modern times, focuses more on the sensuousness of the relationship between Mr de Winter and the second Mrs. de Winter.  

I find the most interesting correlation between the two is the intention for symbolism.  The 2020 version stayed respectfully true to the original play in where if the audience is familiar with the subtle imagery that Hitchcock delivered through items that recurred throughout the film,  such as the letter “R”,  the later version presence a visually stunning experience that captures the essence of the mystery and suspense which takes the viewer on a deeper more intimate journey of sexuality and allure between each of the riveting characters.  

The original movie was nominated for 11 academy awards.  

The second film I reviewed was Lost In Translation.  This was by far the most interesting and weird selection of the bunch.  Written and directed by Hollywood royalty,  Sofia Coppola, the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola of Godfather direction fame.  This journey of two mismatched strangers in Tokyo takes the viewer on a winding and at times confusing road with the frequent moments of deeper introspective dialogue between the main characters,  a washed-up actor and a young married woman still discovering life.  Their conversations are deep but Bill Murray’s ability for subtle comedic relief,  kept my attention waiting for some kind of punch line.  A punch line that often never occurred.  On an Indie film note,  the way that these two films both draw the viewer in while still keeping the full understanding of the piece at bay,  even though the subject matter is completely foreign to each other,  the manner in which both films play out,  is very similar in nature.  

Rebecca uses long gazing scenes of suspense,  which Translation uses long and at times awkward moments of silence in the dialogue to keep the audience invested in the story.  

The scene in Rebecca, the original and even more vividly intense when the second Mrs. de Winter has been tricked to wear the costume dress worn by the late Rebecca de Winter unbeknownst to her.  Though the scene is emotional in the first version,  the intricacies of the lead actor Armie Hammer’s expressions from joyful expectation through fear and then anger brought a full spectrum of emotion and understanding of how the complex relationship of Mr and Mrs de Winter brought him to that moment that affected the protagonist, second wife, to a traumatizing reaction. 

As for Lost in Translation,  I think the scene with the two main characters at the end come to realize that though the connection and seems to anchor together is a tempting consideration, their external conditions and situations bring them back to the realization that their connection though deep and life-bringing,  is and can only be experienced in that moment abroad.  After the long twisting emotional connections made between the main characters and the audience along for the ride,  it is as if I too felt the sorrow to see an end come to this enlightened discovery of newfound hope and connection between two people.  A connection that transcended even the limited expressions of sexual intimacy.  

Both films are exceptional pieces of art.  Designed to bring the audience into a deep heartfelt relationship with the main characters.  Though entirely different in the premise.  The design and effort attempted were achieved pitch-perfectly by both.