Sofia Coppola is a celebrated American filmmaker, screenwriter, and director recognized for her unique storytelling style. She has garnered critical acclaim and awards for her exceptional cinematic vision through films like Lost in Translation and The Virgin Suicides.
Sofia Coppola was married to another filmmaker, Spike Jonze, from 1999 to 2003. Now, more than a decade after its release, Sofia Coppola has finally shed light on why she never bothered to watch Spike Jonze’s film Her.
Why Did Sofia Coppola Skip Spike Jonze’s Her
After parting ways with Jonze in 2003, Sofia Coppola mused that Her seemed like a direct reaction to her own work, Lost in Translation, as she candidly shared with Rolling Stone magazine.
Coppola told Rolling Sone:
“I never saw it! From the trailer, it looks the same too. We have the same production designer. But I haven’t seen it. I know people really like that movie, but I haven’t seen it. I don’t know if I want to see Rooney Mara as me”.
In Jonze’s 2013 film, Joaquin Phoenix takes on the character of Theodore Twombly, who forms a deep emotional connection with Samantha, a female AI program voiced by Scarlett Johansson. This unconventional romance escalates as Twombly initiates a divorce from his wife, Catherine, adding complexity to their relationship.
Upon its release, Her was interpreted as Jonze’s perspective on their separation, offering a different angle on the events depicted in Coppola’s film. Although Jonze never officially confirmed it, it’s difficult for viewers to overlook the idea that his portrayal of his ex-wife might be a blend of both Catherine’s and Samantha’s characters, especially considering Scarlett Johansson appeared in both films.
Did Lost In Translation Show Spike Jonze In Bad Light
Coppola dispelled rumors that Anna Faris’s character, Kelly, in Lost in Translation was a commentary on Jonze’s relationship with Cameron Diaz, clarifying that it wasn’t specifically inspired by her. She explained that Kelly was a composite of various individuals and a particular personality type, emphasizing that it wasn’t intended as a dig towards Diaz, as someone else’s personality resembled Anna Faris’s character more closely.
While basking in the praise for her work on the film, Coppola reminisced about receiving a stern rebuke from director Michel Gondry regarding the movie.
Coppola told Rolling Sone:
“He scolded me at my premiere, but he apologized. I think he was being a good friend. He thought he was defending Spike, but he was putting me down at my premiere. It came out of him trying to be a good friend to Spike”.
The film’s story revolves around Charlotte (played by Scarlett Johansson), a young woman who senses afloat in a universe brimming with opportunities, burdened by the weight of all that liberty. Even her boyfriend, a highly occupied photographer named John (portrayed by Giovanni Ribisi), appears distant to her, effortlessly connecting with everyone and unable to see beyond his own professional pursuits.
Source: Rolling Stone
