Her-2013
Director Spike Jonze
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johannson
Scott’s Review #147
Reviewed August 5, 2014
Grade: A-
Her (2013) is a very unique film directed by Spike Jonze.
The film tells the tale of a lonely, depressed man named Theodore, played by Joaquin Phoenix, who lives in a beautiful high-rise in futuristic Los Angeles.
He works as a writer for a company that creates intimate cards for people in relationships. Having suffered a recent divorce, he falls in love with his computerized operation system named Samantha, played by Scarlett Johansson- voice only.
Conflicts emerge as the relationship deepens and intensifies. Her is a love story uniquely crafted, but also a story of loneliness and the world of technology we now live in.
It portrays human relationships as troubled and unsuccessful yet several characters have wonderful relationships with computers.
Is this what the future may bring with human beings? How many people have fallen in love with a fantasy or a voice on the phone?
The film ponders why relationships have been changed due to technological advances and wonders what will happen further into the future. Technology, while wonderful, has changed our interpersonal relationships and this film successfully delves deeply into that aspect.
The conversation is a lost art and Her features the joys and the tragedies of technology.
Visually, the film is successful because it portrays Los Angeles in a sophisticated, ultra-sleek, modern way that is fascinating.
Several technological games are featured (the Alien child is brilliantly comical) and the “Mom points” is fascinating in its irony.
Her is a deep film that raises questions and I applaud this in modern cinema.
Her is a slow-moving film, but a questioning one.
It won the 2013 Best Original Screenplay Oscar and I am so glad the academy recognized the originality of this film.
Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay (won), Best Original Score, Best Original Song-“The Moon Song”, Best Production Design