Reply #25: I found it hilarious in subtle ways

[Zorro]

The scenes on the commercial set with the director ranting and Murray completely unable to comprehend what is being said, with the translator finally telling him in four or five words what the director wanted, wryly captures the kind of interaction (or lack thereof) that occurs in business meetings with non-Japanese speaking Americans and their counterparts.

This and a number of other scenes reinforce the notion of isolation in a culture that resembles American culture but is actually quite alien. I think Sophia Coppola builds on this sense of isolation to raise other questions about separation, loneliness, and the importance and meaning of companionship, love, marriage, and desire. However, she doesn't beat the moviegoer over the head about these things -- it's up to the viewer to make these connections.

Anyway, I thought it was a fine little movie.