A Disappointing Feature that Still Holds Beauty

Rating: Null/10 (10 June 2014)

It's existential rumination, the beautiful cinematography, the believable, futuristic world and a powerful charismatic performance from both Johansson and especially Phoenix, make "Her" an ambitious effort. Scarlett Johansson's vocal performance is transcendent, and she not only makes it believable, but engages the viewer as if she were standing there talking to the audience; truly making the audience feel like they're in Phoenix's shoes. Phoenix, quickly becoming one of the best actors of his generation, makes the relationship of "Her" completely believable, and the whole film rests on his shoulders. However, Jonze, one of the most talented and imaginative directors working today, (Adaptation and Being John Malkovich are two of the best films of their respective decades), produces a film that's a bit too much like its character: meandering, narcissistic, ignorant... There's a good film at the core of 'Her' but an unwarranted running time, a direction-less, (albeit poetic and intelligent), script and a cop-out ending leave the viewer asking, "so what?" This is a well made film by a director I love, but honestly, it's a mediocre disappointment with a hollow centre. Like the AI in the film, it may look and sound beautiful, but at the end of the day, it's artificial.