Ex-husband Spike Jonze’s “Her” is not a movie Sofia Coppola wants to see written or directed by him. In a Rolling Stone interview for the 20th anniversary of “Lost in Translation,” Coppola discussed Jonze’s 2013 movie “Her,” which is reported to have been motivated by their divorce in 2003, the same year “Lost in Translation” was published. It’s believed that “Her” and “Lost in Translation” look at the Jonze/Coppola marriage from opposite perspectives.
Coppola added on her part, “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 like that movie, but I haven’t seen it.” Despite the two movies being a decennium apart, the resemblance between the two is astonishing. She continued, “I don’t know if I want to see Rooney Mara as me.”
Shortly, “Her” features a lonely guy (Joaquin Phoenix) as he deals with the breakup of Mara’s character and seeks comfort from an AI system, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, who also acted in Coppola’s “Lost in Translation.” A Jonze stand-alike is rumored to have appeared in Coppola’s 2003 film as Giovanni Ribisi’s character, who portrays Johansson’s distant spouse.
Coppola acknowledged the “Lost in Translation” rumor that Cameron Diaz was modeled after Anna Faris’ snooty Hollywood actress who flirts with Ribisi while staying at the same hotel. Coppola said in defense of her statement, “It really wasn’t based on her. It was a combination of a bunch of people. It was a type, so it wasn’t a diss on her. Someone else was more the personality of [Anna Faris’ character].”
Coppola is presently promoting the movie “Priscilla,” which is based on the memoir of Priscilla Presley. Elvis Presley is portrayed by Jacob Elordi, and Priscilla is portrayed by Cailee Spaeny. The movie will premiere at NYFF after making its debut in Venice.
Coppola spoke to Rolling Stone on the motif of older men and trapped ladies in opulent surroundings that runs across her works, “As far as the gilded cage, I’m interested in the façade and the trappings and then the reality that comes with it. [As for ‘Priscilla,’] maybe she’s more mature and he’s still connected to his child side. Yeah, I definitely think [Elvis] was stunted, but there’s a darker side of it. But…I don’t know. I can’t analyze myself. I think it’s romantic when you have a connection with someone that you can’t be with for so many reasons, but they still see a side of you that maybe someone of your generation doesn’t.”