I'll be holding this close to my expanding heart.

Rating: 9/10 (1 January 2014)

Some actor revivals are refreshing. None have been as revitalizing as Joaquin Phoenix. Last year's The Master was a revelation, both the film and his performance, which will certainly be a contender for best of the decade. It was the best film of last year and I can't wait for their next pairing with Inherent Vice. If only Spike Jonze worked with the same momentum as Anderson, they would certainly be on par. They both have a film each in my top 10 of all-time - Magnolia and Adaptation. While the latter may be mostly due to Charlie Kaufman's genius writing, it's Jonze's vision that makes it work. Where The Wild Things Are was a total nostalgic trip and I was never a fan of the book. He has an uncanny ability to tap into universal feelings in a fresh original way.
With Her's simple premise and promise behind and in front of the camera, my expectations were very high. I was already incredibly invested. I'm personally in a long distance relationship where we fell in love online, and this way of meeting people is getting more common than ever. It's great to see a film that embraces this type of romantic relationship through technology so thoroughly. Sprinkled with inventive flourishes of its original world, a kind of Tokyo plus Los Angeles utopia, Her's approach to its story may hit familiar beats, but it's not a list of predictable steps, more of the inevitable stages of a relationship exploring all the highs and lows. You really feel the intensity of passion and heartbreak when Theodore is falling in love with Samantha or when they fight or grow apart.
It's easy to forget that it's just Joaquin Phoenix alone on screen for the most part and he perfectly expresses his Theodore's refreshing childlike naivety to life. His performance in Her is more impressive when compared to his primal Freddie Quell of The Master, it reminds us that he's human and sensitive. But that doesn't mean Theodore isn't raw. Phoenix shines in the moments when his inner core is challenged in the way he through the world works. It's heartbreaking, yet cathartic to see him pull through. Scarlett Johansson's voice performance is terrific and deserving her acclaim, if it's a little exaggerated. She's certainly helped by the film's incredible sound mixing, as if we can hear her in a device wedged in our own ears. Her blow-up scene isn't too good given a rare collection of cliché lines, but it's justifiable and she has a charm that's easy to see why Theodore finds comfort in her.
Amy Adams supporting performance is a delight, even if too statement-driven and Chris Pratt gives amusing comedic support. Even if it does explore harsh truths of relationships, it takes a sincere joy in the ecstasy of affection and lust without a lick of sentiment and a wistful sense of humour. It's a refreshingly optimistic film, reminding us that everyone everywhere feels or has felt passionately in their lifetime. It's very Kaufman-esque in that it's aware of other people's perspectives. I love how it doesn't ignore the outside world but doesn't concern itself too much with it either with pleasant shots of extras enjoying their own stories. I'm glad the film doesn't seem like a warning of the relationship between man and technology as so many 'near distant future' films seem to do. The fascinating execution of the physicality of these types of relationships really resonated with me.
While the exquisite script and ensemble deliver the emotion on the intellectual side, what really helps the film achieve its mood is the rich cinematography, costume design and art direction. Intense moments of tenderness are deeply satisfying and empty moments of anxiety are utterly deflating. But it picks up the pieces of me by the end and reignites the fires of unconditional love on its final notes. Despite everything, Theodore feels strong love rather than animosity to his ex-wife and Samantha. His is truly the optimistic code of life we should all lead. Her is a wonderful, powerful film that's probably the best I've seen in years. I'll certainly be happy calling it the best of 2013. This film is for the poet in all of us. I'm holding it close to my expanding heart.
9/10