Her -- A Meditation on Intimacy and Its Challenges

Rating: Null/10 (11 January 2014)

"Her" is without a doubt the most unique love story to come out in years. Written and directed by Spike Jonze – who can never be accused of creating conventional movies – he has come up with a compelling meditation on intimacy and alternatives to loneliness against the background of a futuristic time period.
The male protagonist of this different-kind-of love story is Theodore, a nerdy guy played admirably well by Joaquin Phoenix. Unsurprisingly he is challenged when it comes to relationships, especially because his previous (and apparently only) soul mate in life found the thrill was gone at some point and kicked his love to the curb.
As he is on the rebound, he purchases a conversationally interactive computer operating system that can not only help the owner shore up some of his or her life shortcoming, but can do so with nuanced (and in this case girl-next-door sexy) dialogue. Scarlett Johansson provides the voice that speaks for "Samantha," which inhabits Theodore's newly purchased operating system. The omnipresent Wi-Fi in the futuristic city allows for 24/7 quality time possibilities between Theodore and his "OS girlfriend." Amy Adams, who plays Theodore's neighbor and friend with her own relationship issues, adds her actress strengths to the film. The resulting story is one that engages your concern for the characters (no real bad guys in this one) and stimulates your intellect on the question of the staying power of romantic love and the ability of couples to remain into each other.
But there is a warning: if you are one of those folks who are relationship challenged – as in having an arduous time in finding a love or even like-interest; or you are in a relationship/marriage where intimacy is deficient – as much as you may enjoy and appreciate this movie, you may find yourself somewhat melancholy upon your departure. This is definitely a movie that can make you contemplate your love situation.
On the other hand, if you attend the film with a mate with whom you are in the midst of an intimacy-challenged relationship, Spike Jonze's movie may make you both take an honest look at each other and prompt you to make some changes for the better. Hopefully it won't prompt such couples to engage in the blame game.