Spike Jonze uses technology and its seemingly infinite possibilities to reveal poignant truths about love and intimacy in his new film “Her.”
Set in future Los Angeles, Joaquin Phoenix takes on the role of Theodore Twombley, a bespectacled, lonely man emotionally distraught from his recently failed marriage. His coping mechanisms include video games and salacious phone conversations, none of which provide the affection and happiness he so actively craves.
He finds newfound hope through Samantha, a super intelligent operating system who serves as his trusted confidant and adventurous friend. Voiced by Scarlett Johansson, Samantha has a profound presence in the movie, despite her disembodied nature. What she lacks in physicality is made up for by her undying intellectual curiosity, more specifically her interest in learning and adopting human ways.
It is this trait that sparks an instant attraction between the two, and leads to the formation of a relationship deemed slightly idiosyncratic but socially acceptable by his peers. Inevitably, they encounter issues stemming from her virtual nature and resort to various options as an attempt to solve them, such as hiring a surrogate to act as Samantha, but to no avail.
Though extremely unconventional, Theodore’s relationship is still at the mercy of love and its complications– the passionate sentiments, constant sexual tensions, and unfortunately, the possibility of discovering irreconcilable differences. Samantha’s limitless capacity to learn entails her constant evolution into something more advanced and developed than ever seen before, with abilities unable to be comprehended and accepted by Theodore.
This is one of the few movies where I can wholeheartedly say that the roles were perfectly cast. Phoenix plays the role of Theodore with such emotion that I couldn’t help but feel his pain and anguish and relish in his excitement. Johansson does what few can do: entice and captivate in a disembodied state. Even the minor characters have their distinct personalities to them, from the eccentric and crazed best friend Amy (Amy Adams) to the self-deprecating, almost ethereal ex-wife Catherine (Rooney Mara).
Jonze masterfully portrays a future dominated by technology, where social interaction is an alien concept and mental absence from reality is considered normal. People are so enveloped in their virtual conversations that public spaces are obsolete, merely serving as passageways for the absentminded. It comes to a point where gadgetry is so advanced that it crosses into the realms of humanity and takes personification to a literal level, as manifested through Samantha. Though at times slightly unsettling, the film does not fail to provide an eye-opening perspective on our increasingly growing dependency on technology.
It also exposes the unified nature about love, contrary to society’s beliefs. Everyone has this perception of love being one-of-a-kind and relative to the individual, but upon further analysis, this movie proves that the majority long for the same things, like physical attraction, compatibility, and acceptance.
One of the truly noteworthy aspects of the film was its cinematography. Hoyte Van Hoytema creates a cold, distant backdrop of glass and steel, juxtaposed with pops of reds and blues, conveying a sense of warmth amid the futuristic. In addition, the movie’s use of familiar sites, like Santa Monica Pier and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, elicit visual familiarity, and consequently, conceived presence.
A refreshing take on the romantic comedy/drama, “Her” lives up to its numerous accolades and honors. Provocative yet endearing, it will surely be an emotionally appealing watch.
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