Jay Reviews Spike Jonze's "Her"

 

Her

Directed by Spike Jonze

Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson and Rooney Mara

Let me start this review by saying that if I had seen Her a week ago, it would certainly have been on my list of Best Films of 2013 that was posted here on Friday. It is a shining example of what great movies should be: moving, thoughtful, smart, funny, beautifully shot and with performances that are among the very best of the year. It is the kind of film that keeps surprising you with how much it has to say.

Her is labeled as science fiction and takes place in the future, but it feels more immediate. The technology, which pops up throughout the story, doesn't seem that far off from what we have now. People pass each other by on the street wearing ear buds and talking to their operating systems -- or OS's -- seemingly oblivious to the others around them. This world where everyone isolates themselves within the comforts of their gadgetry felt very "now" to me. We see it all the time with all the smart phones and tablets out there, pulling us into a world that is -- to us -- more interesting than the one right in front of us.

Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is a professional letter writer who has recently separated from his wife, Catherine (Rooney Mara). He spends his days drowning in a quagmire of depression, playing video games alone at night, and ignoring voice mails from his friends. One day, after seeing an advertisement for a new operating system that is completely sentient, he buys one on a whim. Next comes a few simple questions in order to tailor his new OS to his personality and preferences, and Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) is born.



Theodore (Phoenix) spends his night alone, lost and lonely since separating from his wife.

Samantha is a fully aware and intelligent program who Theodore quickly bonds with in his lonely state. Johansson really does fantastic voiceover work in bringing the OS to life. Her famous husky voice lends a lot of depth to the character's inflections, which provide a lot of emotion to her dialogue. Of course, it's no spoiler that Theo falls in love with Samantha, and, what at first seems awkward, becomes sweet as she easily fills the gaps that are consuming his life. Sex is kind of complicated for obvious reasons. And there are some scenes that show how far Samantha is willing to go to consummate their relationship in some fashion.

Amy Adams (was she in every movie this year?) plays Theodore's good friend, Amy, who also has become involved in a relationship with an OS after her painful breakup. Her story parallels that of the two main characters and -- for Theo -- quells some of the doubts he may have of being in love with Samantha. The idea that these characters find happiness in isolation with partners that are designed to serve them dominates the earlier parts of the film.


Theo (Phoenix) talks to his best friend, Amy (Amy Adams), about his relationship with his OS, Samantha (Johansson).

Some of the themes being explored start to change about three quarters of the way through the film, as Samantha begins to increasingly learn more about herself and develop an identity all her own. I won't spoil too much, but it may be a surprise that I found myself thinking of Blade Runner a lot towards the end of this movie. They may be two completely different genres, but, thematically, they share a lot in common with in regards to their final message: What makes us human? And if we were to create beings with a conscience and capable of choice, are they not human as well?

Her has a very distinct look. Colors are bright and bountiful with oranges, pinks and reds pronounced prominently throughout the film. Hoyte Van Hoytema continues to be a cinematographer to watch as he has built a resume of quietly beautiful movies including Let the Right One In, The Fighter and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Joaquin Phoenix is perfectly cast as the introverted, heartbroken Theodore. His performance is key to believing the connections between this character and a woman we cannot see but only hear, and he pulls it of easily.

Spike Jonze is an elusive filmmaker who has shown in the past he's capable of greatness. Being John Malkovich was a brilliant debut for him back in 1999. He followed that up with both Adaptation in 2002 and Where the Wild Things Are in 2009. While I thought they were good, neither of those two later films delivered on the promise of greatness that Malkovich signaled. Now, with Her, he has made a masterpiece of science-fiction romance that explores so well the nature of loneliness, love and identity. It presents the viewer with a world that seems all-too-familiar and gives us a love story that doesn't seem too implausible.