The Turing Test Of The Future.

Rating: 8/10 (15 March 2014)

One thing I need to get off my mind is that while watching the movie I thought if we switched the gender roles around, all I could think was; "The Machines are trying to F£%^! our women".
I'm currently 22, and if you can believe it I don't own an iPhone (I have an Android, and in context that's probably worse for my understanding when regarding the latest equipment). I've only ever owned a phone for the sole purpose of calling and texting, in many ways I still cannot believe I can listen to my music and take such pictures of quality with it. I bring this up because everyone I know that owns this technology is constantly plugged in. I laugh a little as I'm at college and see people so absorbed in apps, it can get pretty startling how attached people get to these things when you have to pull them out of it to start a discussion. Now onto the review of which is undoubtedly the most strange, quirky movie of 2013 (As far as mainstream cinema goes).
Enter the year 2025, and we meet Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix). A shy man going through a rough time who upgrades his computer to the latest OS (Operating System), which has this incredible ability not only to adapt to suit his personal needs, but also learn, sense and actually love. The OS named "Samantha" (Fantastically voiced by Scarlett Johansson) and Theodore then begin some form of "Quasi" relationship, and given the melancholic indie upbringing this generation currently lives in it's pretty hard not to get charmed instantly. The supporting cast and naivety of Amy Adams, Chris Pratt & Rooney Mara are great as all are wonderful performers, but throughout this films pretty lengthy running time we're stuck in isolation with Theodore & Samantha falling further in love, writing Oscar-nominated songs and generally bouncing off each other very well.
The difficulties I have accepting this movie is that I've never been connected that emotionally to a computer, regardless the levels of conscience they might eventually possess. What I do commend however, is that Spike Jonze has created a very beautiful looking movie that's a welcome addition to his eccentric filmography. A few tracking shots here and there show this sprawling metropolis so alive with people and technology, you'd think he actually managed to glimpse the future and put some of it in his picture. That and it's a very well lit film, and I think that "beach" scenario with its music and imagery could easily be the scene I'll remember most. Unfortunately as said earlier, the only thing that stops the movie from earning full marks is the lack of any stellar conflict. Sure there is plenty of little arguments to somewhat show a healthy and familiar "coupling", but there is really never a serious conflict or exchange between them that feels detrimental or different than just saying "yes" to a bunch of questions.
Final Verdict: In reality, Spike Jonze gave us a love story that has some very tender moments that will clearly find an audience in this day and age. But personally what I saw or at least what I felt I saw were the dangers of getting this close to technology, and the somewhat tragedy Samantha wasn't flesh and bone. It's a lovely movie filled with wonderful writing and melancholic themes Jonze is unique for. 8/10.