The news that Sofia Coppola is prepping a new film, Somewhere, that will prominently feature Hollywood’s famed Chateau Marmont hotel is interesting in that the delightful filmmaker already famously infused the luxurious Park Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo with lots of life in 2003′s Oscar-winning movie Lost in Translation. More than just being the main setting for the strange Bill Murray-Scarlett Johansson love story, the Park Hyatt became a sad, lonely character itself. Oh, aren’t you just envisioning those tragic souls there at the New York Bar inside the Park Hyatt right now? Yeah, me too.
But can Coppola work her magic again with the Chateau? Not that she has to create the same sad, sterile feel for the Chateau as she did for the Park Hyatt, but with all the fanfare about her getting permission to actually shoot the film at the tabloid star-loving locale, she’s gotta be able to deliver on some serious Chateau charm. Again, she’ll undoubtedly be charged with making a location a character in this movie. And because the Chateau is so well-known in Hollywood circles, Coppola has got to get its soul just perfectly…or risk knowing Hollywood types ripping it to shreds. Despite its tragic past (John Belushi died there) and sometimes just-plain-silly present (an ambulance picked up Josh Hartnett there for his recent gas pains), it has a special place in the lore of movie making and L.A.
If I had to make a guess, I’d say that Coppola should have no problem. Despite the stakes in this situation, she’s an ace moviemaker. Again, just look at Lost in Translation. And The Virgin Suicides. And Maire Antoinette. But what do you think? Will she be able to give the Chateau all the heart and soul it so deserves?
More on Sophia Coppola and ‘Lost in Translation’ from EW:
‘Lost in Translation’ movie review
‘Lost in Translation’ DVD review
Sophia Coppola talks about ‘Lost in Translation’
I think that she’ll definetly do a great job. She’s not only great with locations in Lost In Translation, but she also made Versailles very much a character in Marie Antoinette.
I think that if there is a person who can do it. That person is Sofia.And it is rare to have a director/writer with that kind of sensitivity. I cant wait for the movie. And by the way, Lost in Translation is a masterpiece. And that for a 2nd movie is a rare achievement.
she is a masterful filmmaker.
“Maire Antoinette”? Spell check not working?
“Maire Antoinette”? Spell check not working?
I agree, she’s a master at creating atmosphere. Very excited that she’s starting a new film.
Scarlett Johansson “actress”actually is a clone from original person,who has nothing with acting career.Clone was created illegally using stolen biomaterial.Original Scarlett Galabekian last name is nice, CHRISTIAN young lady
Masterful my ass. The film is a crashing bore. Should have been titled Nowhere, or better yet, Nothing which is what it is full of. Only pretentious people and insomniacs will like it.
You have to be patient with this film. I felt a little like Claude Frasier at the start thinking that the film was going to be a ‘crashing bore’ but if you give the film a chance, Coppola starts to work her magic. I started to really care about these characters, wondering about the future of the daughter playing beautifully by Fanning and wondering why the Stephen Dorff character doesn’t DO something like at least read a book! Giving ‘Somewhere’ a go pays off in the end.
The Marmont is the most interesting about this dog pile.