Original, thought provoking and beautifully shot

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2014)

This is my first movie review for quite a while but I thought I'd put something up about "Her" as I thought that it was truly excellent.
Firstly, it is interesting to see the opinion divide in the reviews that have gone up on IMDb so far. It seems that this movie is a case of 'love it or hate it' as very few people have given it an average mark. Most of the negative opinions are from people who do not buy into the central concept of the film (a man falls in love with his computer's operating system) and find it ridiculous and therefore boring.
That is understandable as there are several bits in the film that seem ludicrous and bizarre to the point of being laughable. This was particularly apparent during the 'sex scene' and the 'double date' where the cinema audience were widely dissolving into laughter.
I could see where they were coming from but for me, the film is so exceptionally well done that I was able to accept the vision of the future that was being presented; so much so that on reflection, I think that it is all much more plausible than it first appears to be.
Regardless of that, I felt that the movie made a number of interesting and original points about both technology and how human beings do / don't interact and communicate. Most science fiction that I have watched to date is, in one way or another, exploring the central theme that computers cannot be taught to feel emotions as humans do and that is what makes humans unique and distinct. This film asks "well what if they could?" and I found the idea fascinating.
When the operating system is first booted up and Theodore asks for its name, the software thoroughly and comprehensively researches the subject of names and makes a selection, Samantha. That was a great concept - an OS has been developed that learns and evolves as it goes, based on its own unique interactions, just as children do (but much much faster).
This film explores that idea by looking at the individual relationship between one person and his OS. It shows how Samantha struggles to understand and affect difficult and complex human emotion, and how her interactions with Theodore shape and define her view of the world.
The strength of the acting across the board is exceptional and Scarlett deserves credit for carrying off the convincing portrayal of Samantha's emotions using her voice alone. I am a fan of Joaquin Phoenix but for me, this is his best work to date. He is totally convincing and gives a performance that is well worthy of an Oscar.
The film is hugely strengthened by outstanding cinematography and direction. Some of the flashback scenes from Theodore's marriage are stunningly effective and moving. The tone and feel of the movie is original and consistent with an unusual and non derivative view of the future.
In short, this film presents a future where our world view has changed. In this movie, it is normal to discuss the video games that we have been playing while on a first date and computers have permanently permeated our everyday social interactions. (At one point the 3D video game that Theodore is playing starts interacting with his photo album for instance)
I think that is what makes this movie such a turn off to some people. Our current society considers any sort of social interaction with computers to be completely socially unacceptable and pathetic. In this film, that view is no longer prevalent - interaction with computers has become indistinguishable from interacting with another human via the internet.
In fact, there is one memorable scene that humorously illustrates that our interactions with another person online can be infinitely more bizarre than our interactions with computers!
Personally I think that the day is coming when we will be holding conversations with computers, and if that does happen, it is not a huge stretch that people will start forming relationships with them. Regardless of how desirable that situation is, it makes for an extremely interesting subject to explore and this film does so in a hugely memorable, subtle and clever manner.
(minor spoiler) Finally, the point that is made towards the end of the film about computer software evolving (both intellectually and emotionally) past the point that humans have reached is both profound and thought provoking.
I cannot recommend this film highly enough to anyone interested in science fiction or with an interest in how the advance of technology is revolutionising the way that people interact.
A stunning piece of work.