Sweet, Funny and Heartfelt... Perhaps, The Most Original and Engaging Movie of 2013.

Rating: 9/10 (16 January 2014)

'Her' is sweet, witty and heartfelt movie about love and relationships, which is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Spike Jonze has made brilliant movies before, 'Being John Malkovich' and 'Adaptation', both written by writer Charlie Kaufman. But 'Her' marks Jonze's solo screen writing debut, and perhaps, his best movie till date. The film not only discusses the state of human relationships in this modern age and how our technological dependency leads to social seclusion and isolation, but also talks about love-between-minds, want-of-understanding, want-of-companionship and present-age-importance-of-monogamy. With a futuristic romance theme like this, it could have easily ended up as a clichéd or comic look at evolution and technology, but thankfully, it's not. Jonze deals with the subject in a non-judgmental and unsarcastic way, and explores the bonds and emotions with genuine interest and seriousness; this is what makes the movie so captivating and gripping.
The memories and the point-of-view camera angles help us picture ourselves in the shoes of the lead character Theodore Twombly, and help us feel the joy, happiness, doubts, distractions, pain, distress and everything else the character feels; Spike Jonze's vision unified with Hoyte Van Hoytema's cinematography is what makes it possible. The soundtrack is engrossing, and add to the beauty and feel of the movie, especially Scarlett Johansson's 'The Moon Song'.
Many of the concepts and themes explored in the movie are quite original and riveting. Few of the things you begin analyzing in your mind, while watching the movie, are simply beyond words to explain - it talks about a simple modern world where people just need another mind (or being) with which it can communicate, share and feel close to; everything can be managed or forsaken - it speaks at so many levels. Many may not be able to grasp the concepts completely; it would need a savvy and open mind for the movie to flow through you in its entirety.
Joaquin Phoenix is mesmerizing in his role of Theodore Twombly, a lonely and introverted guy who falls in love with an artificially intelligent OS (Operating System) named Samantha. It's fascinating to see Mr.Phoenix in a light-hearted role, quite different from his usual menacing image. He's completely likable in this new persona, and feels at ease. With his talented range of emotions, he helps us see the story through his character's eyes. Though we never actually see her in the entire movie, Scarlett Johansson is beguiling throughout as the voice of Samantha. The seductiveness in her voice, and the skill with which she expresses curiosity, amazement, anger, sadness, etc. is truly spellbinding. The rest of the brilliant cast, comprising of Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt and Olivia Wilde, are terrific in their roles as well. And there's an interesting and amusing voice cameo by Kristen Wiig as night-chat stranger SexyKitten.
Overall, 'Her' combines romance, sci-fi and humour in such an unusually delightful way, and is a movie which challenges your intelligence as well as your psychological understanding of human emotions. It's perhaps the most original and engaging movie of 2013. It leaves you thinking even long after the movie is over.