Her Review

Rating: Null/10 (11 January 2014)

I would never watch a movie about a man who falls in love with an operating system. Wait, are you telling me that I just did? And that I actually enjoyed it. No, that is preposterous! Outrageous! It boggles my mind that people have actually married inanimate objects.
Who does not find it weird that a lady has married a roller coaster, while another engages in sexual stimulation with the Berlin Wall? Oh wait, this operating system featured in the movie has actual artificial intelligence? So it has a personality, and can adapt or evolve just like a normal human being can. Does that make it socially acceptable?
That is a question the protagonist, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), has to deal with, when asked by others, and when it is debated in his own mind. To answer the debate I had with myself, I am guilty of enjoying something I did not think I would.
I was hesitate at first, as original as the content looked, it was just the fact that a romantic film hardly interests me. One that features a man falling in love with his OS, originally, just did not seem like my cup of tea. With that said, I am glad that I gave it a chance and tried something new.
Theodore is a very emotionally challenged man. His childhood love, Catherine (Rooney Mara), wants a divorce, yet he struggles immensely when it comes to signing the papers. The ironic part is that he works with a website that writes love letters for couples who have problems discussing feelings, and does a wonderful job, but has so many problems himself.
When he decides to purchase a hot, new, upgraded operating system, Theodore is shocked at how much it can learn and grow. Deciding to make it use a female voice (Scarlett Johansson), the two form a special bond quite quickly.
You would be surprised at how much this film manages to cover in regards to love. Love is one of the most complicated emotions known to male and female. It has caused many serious problems, but at the same time, has made so many people extremely happy. Love can transform a hero bad, and a villain good. Yes, it has that much power.
Point I am getting at, is that love is not even an easy thing for two people, yet alone a man and an artificial intelligence. It is even more difficult for a script and a director to create something so believable and gripping. To create something that makes you see and believe the love, that is suppose to be translating on screen, is an achievement.
Spike Jonze succeeded. As I began watching, I was so intrigued and excited to see the eventual conclusion. I wondered if it would work in the end, or if the honeymoon period would fade, or if someone would step in and ruin what they shared.
The plot of Her, features the relationship dealing with everything real life people deal with in them. It is so relatable in comparison, not only making you think solely about relationships, but what the future of technology holds for us. This can, perhaps, be a normal thing in a few years.
It was really believable that a man like Theodore could fall in love with an OS. He was severely depressed, and Samantha, the name of the OS, came to his rescue, so to speak. The futuristic world Jonze created was realistic, and jaw dropping to say the least.
How about the on-screen, or voice acting? I am going to risk sounding like the biggest suck up, so I am not going to just sit here, complimenting everyone to the moon and all. But, just know that I want too. Just know that they all deserve it. As well as deserve nominations and awards. Pretend that I did.
Comedy, romance, sci-fi and drama, all contained in one, incredible package. This is a hype that you should not be embarrassed to buy into it. My favourite genres are horror, thrillers, and action or dramas to a lesser extent, meaning my heartfelt love for this, genuinely surprised me.
This film can generate intelligent conversations between you and your pals. No seriously, it can. It can make you re-evaluate your relationship. I am not saying fall in love with an operating system, but what I mean is, contemplate, if you are with the right person or not. I have not dug into some of the other themes, like the fashion statements, or the multiple ways in which technology has impacted life, but I'm sure that somebody can write an essay or thesis on it based off this film. It is that detailed.
If you are sick and tired of remakes, or sequels, and want to witness a film containing some of Hollywoods hottest stars with an original script, Her will make you happy. In-depth character study, remarkable acting, emotional and insightful plot, I can go on all day, do you get that it was fantastic yet? I recommend viewing this film. Worth every penny. Worth a movie ticket. Worth a DVD purchase. Watch it.
Superpower Film Scale: 5/5
1: Villainous Waste
2: Careless Bystander
3: Hero unaware of powers
4. On the verge of greatness
5. Heroic film