Monday, January 13, 2014

HER


This has to be the most intriguing and thought provoking film I've seen in a very good long time. Only exception might be Don Jon and Scarlett Johansson is in both movies.

HER was written and directed by Spike Jonze. Its the first time he's done both and it was well worth it.

The film is somewhere in the near future. Well, actually, in L.A. and the main character is Theodore played by the wonderful Joaquin Phoenix, who is a master of emotions. He's perfect for the part because he is shy, anyway. Theo is going through a divorce with Catherine (Rooney Mara). He's been putting off signing the divorce papers.  By day he's a letter writer and the nights are long. Finally, he turns to a new Operating Sytem on his computer that will meet his every need.

This is where Scartlett Johansson's voice comes in to play as Samantha. Initially, Samantha Morton was the part, but Jonze changed his mind on the voice.

The past is just a story we tell ourselves.
— Her




This is a film about the brain and how we fall in love through words. They can be said to us. Written to us. But is it really enough? There is one point where the film goes completely black for almost a minute or two. We can hear Theo and Samantha's conversation and it gives you the opportunity to really feel what they are feeling..and a chance to use your own imagination.

This film really hits home about what is happening to us. Even now. With video games and all us preoccupied with our phone. Jonze takes it a step further. All these people walking around talking, but not to you.

Still, you see their relationship come alive and the joy they share with everyday life.

Amy Adams plays gamer and game designer Amy who is Theo's friend since college. She's married but even that relationship is coming to an end. She ask Theo if she's been selfish. These are questions we all ponder from time to time. But he sees her evolving too with an OS.

Just when things bloom for Theo and Sam in their odd relationship that is becoming more acceptable everyday with his friends, there is certain paranoia that sets in too. Honestly, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the ending. But as life goes, there are upgrades and what was once great soon fades. Or does it?

I really felt this is an important film to see. The script is tight. The scenes are beautiful and who knew one voice could do so much for a movie.

STORYLINE: In today's world, much is accomplished through the use of computer systems which use voice recognition, those computer systems which in turn communicate to their user often through a generated voice. Theodore Twombly, who works as a writer of computer generated handwritten letters for clients, is an introverted man who is on the verge of divorce from his long time love, Catherine, a marriage with who he is hanging on for dear life. Beyond his purely platonic relationship with longtime friend, the married Amy, Theodore is having problems moving onto other satisfying female relationships, either romantically or even sexually, until he realizes that he is falling for his confidante who has become possibly his best friend, Samantha, the name that he has given to the artificial intelligent operating system that powers all his personal technological devices. As Samantha is designed to cater to Theodore's needs, she evolves to a point of falling for him as well. Beyond the fact that Samantha...

I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you.”
"Me too. Now we know how. 
— Her, Spike Jonze
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5 comments:

  1. This looks like such an interesting film.

    xx

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  2. Oh..I so love that line about our past being a story we tell ourself.

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  3. I have seen some really bad reviews of this, but I still want to see it.

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  4. I've been hearing so many good things about Her. I definitely want to see it soon. Great review. :)

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  5. i dont know what to think about this film. i do want to see it tho
    xo
    MOSAMUSE

    www.MOSAMUSE.com

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