a splendid exploration of human condition

Rating: 8/10 (11 September 2016)

I was completely taken aback upon finishing the film: mesmerising. The inquiry question that the film attempts to response is not what the distinction that sets human apart from AI, but rather what contributes to a human being.
Much adoration from me is for the tone, or more specifically the colour palette; it carries a sense of contemporary modernity and impassivity. However, the moments whereby Caleb is brimmed with excitement are accompanied with brightly lit scenes in an apt manner. The design in general (interior design, architecture, product design) is ethereal, connoting a feeling of surrealism mixed with perfection.
Without a shadow of doubt, the screenplay is exquisite. The exchanges between Caleb and Ava are instrumental to the affection Caleb develops for Ava; at the same time explores the rudimentary elements of human beings that we seem to overlook. The linguistic ability, the dimension of visual arts, the capacity for choices, the curious mind to get to know one better. It is the intimate interactions between Caleb and Ava, whether on their background or preferences, that allows Caleb to perceive Ava more as a human. This contrasts with the brutality and objectification qualities possessed by Nathan, rendering Caleb more empathetic of Ava rather than Nathan. This clouds his judgement and mistakenly puts trust in her. The detail of Jackson Pollock compliments the story line impeccably. "The challenge is not to act automatically. It's to find an action that is not automatic." Regardless of humans or AI, we have little control over our life; in a way, we are "programmed" for such inclinations and thence actions. A question lingers: how different is a human being from an AI?
The ultimate factor that engenders Caleb's contrivance is the revelation of Ava's insecurities. She's afraid of being trapped in her room forever, fears the prospect of being reprogrammed and holding onto no memories. The realisation that only Caleb is able to free her from this captivity stimulates him to take actions, despite the little consideration of her sincerity.
So, what contributes to a human being? Is it the combination imagination, sexuality, self-awareness, empathy, manipulation that allows Ava to escape, or is it the sense of insecurities that is evident in all the characters, or is it the quality of outsmarting others for one's own gain? Maybe the amalgam of all these.