Unique, fascinating, and relevant

Rating: 8/10 (14 September 2019)

In the near future in Los Angeles, this science-fiction film follows the life of Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix). He tries to heal his loneliness by connecting with an Operating System (OS) software device (voiced by Scarlett Johannson). The OS is set up to evolve and grow like a human including all the insecurities.
The director/writer of "Her" is Spike Jonze who did a great job directing "Being John Malkovich" over ten years ago. His creative spirit pays off again in "Her" which has a bizarre universe but still seems to follow its own unusual logic while making the audience care for its characters.
Phoenix does a superb job and deserved more of the accolades that are dished out at this time of year. In his many close-ups, he is great in conveying loneliness, confusion, sadness, and grief for a failed relationship.
While Johansson also does a fine job in a voice performance, there are other smaller roles that are also well played: Amy Adams as a platonic friend; Olivia Wilde as a blind date with similar insecurities; and a hilarious voice cameo by Kristen Wiig in a phone-sex scene.
There are scenes of other individuals walking around communicating with their OSes. They resemble the many people today who seem more alive connecting with someone from a distance on an electronic device than doing so in person. Whether or not this inspired Jonze's story, he's made one of the best films of 2013.