An intelligent and nuanced sci-fi romance that satirises our current obsession with smart-phones to remind us for the need to connect with people.

Rating: 7/10 (24 June 2018)

Set in a future not too far from our own - both in terms of time, technology and thematic ideology, this romantic science-fiction uses a satirical stance to take aim at the way we seem to be constantly more and more in love with the 'smart' screens we keep in our pockets. 'Her (2013)' relies on a kind of clairvoyant central premise, considering the 'insta-famous' social-media uprising - as well as our increasing obsession with both the people creating this 'content' and the devices fuelling our consumption of it - wasn't anywhere near as developed as it is today back when this film was first released. The flick makes a poignant point in the process of its satire, though, by crafting a nuanced, fully developed story that plays counter to the most obvious 'anti-A.I.' ideals, in almost every way possible, and becomes a much more 'real' experience while doing so. It would have been easy to just dismiss its central conceit, to use it as fuel for the fire of its larger satirical context, but instead its chosen path, of exploring the created avenue to its fullest potential, yields unexpected and fairly touching results. These outcomes don't negate the 'don't be consumed by your phone' message, they enhance it in a unique way. Using the titular OS as the person our protagonist knows her to be and pushing this connection as one we all should strive, for no matter in what form it comes, is an inspired and somewhat unexpected move. This kind of multi-layer thematic resonance is incredibly difficult to do but allows for a film rife with meaning, one that begs to be analysed. The fact that it has such a firm grasp on all of its themes, so that it can approach them from every angle and in unconventional ways, is impressive, to say the least. It means that the flick will reach people on a number of levels, whether or not they know why, and makes for an end result that's intelligent, well-crafted and, frankly, rather beautiful. The piece preaches connectivity, while having a number of other appropriate allegorical under-layers, and manages to be very enjoyable all while essentially being an incredibly entertaining two-hour phone-call. That's admirable. 7/10