“My dad came on the set of The Virgin Suicides (1999) and told me, “You should say ‘Action’ louder, more from your diaphragm.” I thought, O.K., you can go now. I’m not going to say it wasn’t intimidating, but when you direct is the only time you get to have the world exactly how you want it. My movies are very close to what I set out to do. And I’m superopinionated about what I do and don’t like. I may say it differently, but I still get what I want.” ~ Sofia Coppola
I’ve never been one of those movie lovers who focus on one director and go watch all his/her films one by one intentionally, it goes naturally. But somehow I watched all of her films. Maybe it’s because her films often discussed and talked by people, critics and movie lovers, whether it’s good or bad. Perhaps it’s because I find her collaborating with Kirsten Dunst in two of her movies (The Virgin Suicides & Marie Antoinette), that I thought the duo looked interesting. Her work often associated with youth and popular culture. But mostly it’s also what we’ve been secretly wish to know, celebrity life and tiredness (Lost in Translation & Somewhere), that we rarely see in a movie. Though I have mixed opinion on all of her films, but I always admired female directors especially when they are young and ignore the bad impression on them.
Early on her career, people associated her to be in the movie industry because of nepotism. But the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola and Eleanor Coppola prove herself to be one of the youngest woman director to be nominated for Oscar and also the third female director to be nominated for the biggest movie award. Divorced to also a well-known director, Spike Jonze and now a mother of two daughters from her marriage to Thomas Mars, frontman of French indie band, Phoenix.
Sofia also interested in fashion, you can see it in The Bling Ring and Marie Antoinette. I find it one of the bonus seeing her movies, have featured two of them in my fashion feature (The Virgin Suicides and Marie Antoinette). A designer for a street street fashion label. Marc Jacobs have a bag named after her. She also likes to include French indie bands in her movies music score.
5. Marie Antoinette (2006)
[ + ] The authentic work of costume design, Kirsten Dunst, mixing ancient times setting with modern music
[ - ] Seems only purpose to portraying a party girl with a great costume in earlier times
This movie was very eye catchy and edgy in its way. I like the idea of having Kirsten Dunst as the lead. I actually thought French revolution was very interesting when I studied history in high school, but Marie Antoinette seems rather dull on telling a story of socialite party princess. It got potential but I think it needs more exploring on other aspects rather than centered to Marie Antoinette.
4. Somewhere (2010)
[ + ] Elle Fanning’s natural performance, Phoenix’s Love Like A Sunset II as the soundtrack/music ending, father reconnects with estranged daughter
[ - ] Really slow-paced, monotonous, lack of story
Though it is a story about an actor who felt numb with his celebrity status and life, the pacing of the movie follows his boredom. But for me the intention to feel his boredom is too much and it needs more to keep the movie interesting. The story of a father reconnects to his estranged daughter does makes it a little better, with not much dramatization.
3. The Bling Ring (2013)
[ + ] Brought up today’s frequently ignored issue; young people try to be famous with no reason and post everything to social media to prove their existence, Emma Watson try to break her good girl image to bad girl, soundtrack
[ - ] Could use deeper reasons and sources, could be considered as a lame movie since no justification/definite moral message
The Bling Ring might not the movie for everyone, since it’s an illustration of a true story of a bunch teenagers robbing celebrity houses stealing their branded items. But if lucky, you could see the irony and sad truth of these young people (representing today’s worst teens in big cities). I thought it could be better, it could use more source than an article in Vanity Fair. But it showed the glamorous life these kids (and probably lots of people) want.
2. The Virgin Suicides (1999)
[ + ] Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett in their popular times as teenage actors, unique and tragic teen story, authentic feel of lonely/sad atmosphere, the 70′s accurate setting
[ - ] (none)
The Virgin Suicides is most likely one of the strangest teen movie I’ve seen but in a good way. It simply teaches us that teens have natural curiosity to everything around them and in their age to get to know themselves and the world, banning them entirely is a big no-no.
1. Lost in Translation (2003)
[ + ] A successful story of an awkward but dependent friendship, Bill Murray performance, solid story about celebrity ennui, Phoenix’s Too Young as soundtrack, a great view of Tokyo city
[ - ] (none)
Experience is the best teacher, perhaps that’s the word for describing Lost in Translation. It said that Scarlett Johannsen’s character was based on her own story when she accompanied Spike Jonze shooting in a foreign country. It’s hard to find a movie with the same lonely-melancholy mood, and the story suits Sofia Coppola’s signature. She imagined Billy Murray when she written the story and the guy never clearly stated his eagerness and willing to star the movie until the first day of shooting. Without many movie tricks and twist, this movie have an authentic reality feel of being lost in a country you don’t know or feel connected with.
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Well, hopefully she can win another Oscar again after Lost in Translation. Readers, what’s your favorite and least favorite movie of Sofia Coppola? Any thoughts?