There are some things we’re not meant to know, like what your mother’s O face looks like. But that doesn’t stop people from probing the depths of forbidden knowledge, even when no good can be gained from it.

One of the things we should never know is what Bill Murray whispers to Scarlett Johanssen at the end of Lost in Translation. It doesn’t matter the words he says – the moment is beautiful and touching and perfect as it is (and by the way, I know there’s a contingent of people who don’t like the end of this film (or this film at all), and I just have to say that these people are nuts). Ambiguity isn’t to be feared in art; when done on purpose it should be embraced and loved and explored (if this is making you think about your mother’s O face again, you may need help). But some people can’t leave well enough alone, and so somebody has gone back to Lost In Translation and digitally enhanced the sound on that whisper.

I watched the video below and wish I hadn’t, because it does ruin some of the mystique of the scene. I do take comfort in the fact that I am not convinced that the translation of the whisper is correct (there’s an irony in this). Plus, I had always sort of hoped that Murray had whispered something ridiculous, attempting to crack up his young co-star. So watch the following video at your own risk, and then hopefully use this as a springboard to revisit and discuss one of the better films of the last ten years. If you haven’t already, sign up for our message boards and talk about it in this thread.