Her (2013)

Her (2013)

9/10

Starring

Joaquin Phoenix

Amy Adams

Rooney Mara

Olivia Wilde

Scarlett Johansson

Directed by Spike Jonze

You need to stop what you’re doing right now and go see this film.

This sci-fi movie is centered on two characters, and then it evolves like a black hole, sucking you, the viewer, in. Throughout the process, you keep telling yourself not to blink because you don’t want to miss a thing.

Joaquin Phoenix is an actor I’ve come to respect for his acting skills and his choice of movies. Her is a choice I know he’ll forever thank his agent and Spike Jonze for.
The screenplay in this movie is what drives me nuts—what class! And the thing is, it’s the first solo screenplay that director Spike Jonze has done, and it’s just classic. I’d put the screenplay on par with Before Midnight (2013). As a matter of fact, if you liked Before Midnight, you’ll love this.

The movie’s plot revolves around this couple: Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) and Samantha (Scarlett Johansson). The twist? Theodore is human, while Samantha is an OS—an A.I. software created to evolve and learn as it interacts with its human counterparts.

Theodore and Samantha’s relationship starts on a companionship level, with Theodore needing someone to talk to, to take away the loneliness. But as their time together grows, a form of attachment starts to form. Theodore begins to grow fond of Samantha, and she (yes, she) grows fond of him too. Over time, their relationship deepens to the point where Theodore tells everyone that Samantha is his girlfriend (note: Samantha is a software with only a voice—no body). Samantha, in turn, helps Theodore get over his divorce and even kick-starts his career as a writer.

Their whole relationship is rosy until both Theodore and Samantha start to mature mentally, realizing that a relationship between a software and a person is complicated to maintain. How they resolve that… well, you’ll have to watch to find out.

The movie does have its drawbacks, like it struggles with pacing, especially in the middle, where the relationship between Theodore and Samantha starts to feel repetitive, which can start to bore the audience. While the concept is intriguing, the plot doesn’t fully dive into the complexities of an A.I. and human relationship, which leaves a sense of missed potential.

Make it a date to see this movie this week, it is worth your time. You’ll be glad you did.