Evelyn Perez Cante

WMST 410

Prof. Bredin

Lost In Translation

Lost in Translation depicts the lives of two complete strangers in adventuring solo in Tokyo. This movie is a great example of gender difference, their action and gender roles in different situations.

This film shows us the differences and yet the similarities of gender when they are put in different environments from the usual. We can see from this movie that males usually keep to themselves as opposing to females. Bob Harris, a famous T.V star shooting a whiskey commercial, is the typical male. He gets to the hotel, settles in and we can see him down at the bar relaxing with a drink. We also meet Charlotte, the wife of a workaholic photographer. She too can be seen at the bar relaxing with a drink in hand. This scene can teach us something about the American culture. Americans usually when given the time to relax, many choose to sit with a drink in hand.

Charlotte being the tag-a-long wife of her workaholic husband, who is never around, is left back in the hotel room to fend for herself. We as a class has discussed that woman are more emotional and carry the burden of keeping the relationships together; Women are the glue of the family or relationship. While the husband is off at work all day, she has to entertain herself with what ever she can find. She then takes walks and explores the city. Many people in this case and situation would say to walk away from the relationship or marriage that doesn’t exist. We can see she loves her husband and puts up with being left alone for days. Therefore putting into action the burden of care, and keeping the marriage they “have”.

Bob, the movie star, is away in Tokyo without his family. We know he has a family at the beginning of the movie as soon as he is given the note from his wife. The note lets us know he forgot the birthday of their son. Bob opposing Charlotte does not seem to try to even keep in touch with his family. The wife, again as the female carries the burden of care, includes him in all the decisions she is making back home. We know this when Bob receives a packet with different wallets or agendas in different colors and styles, and again when he receives a fax to in order to chose what seemed to be furniture. He as the male, unemotional, doesn’t seem to pay much attention to all of this.

Another gender difference we can see from this movie is the difference in work, or labor. In America women are almost equal in the workforce as well as in the community and politics. In other countries women are not so lucky. Tokyo for instance, a place of innovation and advance technology, still have their women under more control. One example of this from the movie is seen as Charlotte is adventuring around. She comes across a group of women designing beautiful flower arrangements, as opposed to having executive positions or working side to side with men. This scene can symbolize women as being fragile and beautiful like flowers.

As the two strangers meet in the luxurious bar of their hotel, a friendship arises from something they are both lacking; Care and understanding from the significant other. They both fill the voids they have in the moment. Bob’s personality is more of a serious attitude as opposing to Charlotte who seems to be looking for adventure making the friendship more interesting for both of them. One example of this can be the party they attend, get drunk and sing karaoke together. Both their face expressions and the way of acting, allows us to see they are enjoying themselves and releasing some whatever emotions they seems to have inside.

Overall, we can definitely see the gender differences in both these characters. They show us gender roles, emotions and friendship.