Love in the digital age

Rating: 9/10 (21 March 2020)

At the heart of every truly great science-fiction film there is an emphasis on character that aims to reflect on some element of the human condition usually intended to open our minds to thought provoking predictions of an impending reality. Her is a beautifully writted and acted story that delves deep into the complex nature of love, relationships and social aspects of the human psyche in a world where evloving technologies have solved all our problems, but keep us isolated; making the film a Black Mirror-esque prophetic vision of the future and a strong commentary on relationships today. The film shows Theodore (excellently played by Joaquin Phoenix), in the midst of divorce, fall in love with his operating system Samantha (beautifully voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Through it's stunning cinematography, the film conveys a true sense of social isolation in Theodore, as he learns to accept his divorce and find something real in an artificial consciousness, pushing the boundaries of what society considers a "real" relationship. The film boasts a diverse array of themes, from technology and loneliness, loss of love and acceptance, what it means to be human. The score is absolutely fantastic and enhances the emotional experience very well. It had me thinking on my relationship, and what love means to me, and if that isn't what true art is then I don't know what is.