By Claire Osborne and Cameron Wood
How do relationships fall apart?
Warped desires? Unrealistic expectations? Or perhaps communication breakdown?
According to Spike Jonze's new film titled Her our relationships are not just with someone of the opposite (or same) sex. It appears we will soon interact with computers should they have the ability to communicate and think.
Warped desires? Unrealistic expectations? Or perhaps communication breakdown?
According to Spike Jonze's new film titled Her our relationships are not just with someone of the opposite (or same) sex. It appears we will soon interact with computers should they have the ability to communicate and think.
Disheveled, heartbroken and sporting a trim moustache - which signifies that
he's probably one bad day away from a breakdown - writer, Theodore (Joaquin
Phoenix) is coming to terms with his divorce from his childhood sweet heart. No
amount of work, friend's advice or coaxing, video games or pornography seems to
satisfy nor fill the hole that remains after his wife left him.
So naturally he turns to new technology. In this familiar dystopian Los Angeles there are OS (Operating Systems) which will meet all your needs. After purchasing an OS and installing it on his computer, Theodore comes ear to ear with 'Samantha' (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), who possesses a sense of humour, is intelligent beyond anything Theodore has experienced, has desires and develops 'her' own feelings.
When at one point in the film Theodore questions the nature of his relationship with Samantha, whether in fact it is a real relationship, friend Amy (Amy Adams) rebuts with a "life's too short" line.
But in this day and age, how do we define what a 'real' relationship is? It appears we've reached the point where technology and social network has so changed our lives that relationships are not what they were (or even appear to be). Is this what Jonze is critiquing? If indeed he is critiquing our eyes-on-screen culture? Through obscure voice calls, interactive video games and even with Thedore's job, there's layers of deception and escapism which lines Jonze's dystopian film. Theodore works as someone who writes - no, speaks - love letters for other people to use! It's incredible how naturally we are introduced to his bizarre job in the opening scene. It's entirely believable and there isn't any need for your typical exposition in the opening scenes. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema captures this story well, using the same sense of tone that he applied so perfectly in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
"He couldn't deal with me, tried to put me on Prozac and now he's in love with his laptop!" - Catherine on Theodore
The strength and charm of this film lies in the director's clear vision of what Theo's world encompasses. In many ways we find ourselves in Theo, checking his email on the way home from work, sticking earphones in his ears for a little 'alone time', and seeking someone to share his thoughts with. After all, the most beloved people in our lives are those who we feel are prepared to "just listen". And the futuristic premise sets the stage for the love story between man and computer. But without its relaxed tone, methodical build up, oddly familiar futuristic sets and quirky style - look out for the pants! - the love story would likely be lost. And it's in Theo and Samantha's initial conversations that we are truly drawn in to the story. Until this point there's some Jonze-esque dark humour, but no real catch.
Like any relationship, though, there are some heartbreaking moments in Her. Theo's inability to understand and process his marriage with Catherine (a spectacular and mature Rooney Mara) leads us to the tissue box and has us remembering our "first love". But it is Theo's attachment to Samantha which truly grinds the heart strings. It has to be seen - or perhaps heard - to be believed.
Phoenix and Johansson bring two distinctly different styles to the film. Phoenix's roles are often louder and darker, but here he's able to strip it down and portray a quiet American. Whereas, Johansson is a bubbly voice and doesn't even have to show off her million dollar body. She's in career best form and surely should be considered a fine dramatic actress with the ability to make us laugh and cry. Amy Adams and Mara Rooney play the supporting acts so well and really help to create the dramatic tension between Theodore and Samantha.
Jonze's Her doesn't necessarily answer the question of how relationships fall apart, rather it appears the director questions what a relationship is and what they are based on.
You be the judge.
Her: 8/10
Him: 8.5/10
So naturally he turns to new technology. In this familiar dystopian Los Angeles there are OS (Operating Systems) which will meet all your needs. After purchasing an OS and installing it on his computer, Theodore comes ear to ear with 'Samantha' (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), who possesses a sense of humour, is intelligent beyond anything Theodore has experienced, has desires and develops 'her' own feelings.
When at one point in the film Theodore questions the nature of his relationship with Samantha, whether in fact it is a real relationship, friend Amy (Amy Adams) rebuts with a "life's too short" line.
But in this day and age, how do we define what a 'real' relationship is? It appears we've reached the point where technology and social network has so changed our lives that relationships are not what they were (or even appear to be). Is this what Jonze is critiquing? If indeed he is critiquing our eyes-on-screen culture? Through obscure voice calls, interactive video games and even with Thedore's job, there's layers of deception and escapism which lines Jonze's dystopian film. Theodore works as someone who writes - no, speaks - love letters for other people to use! It's incredible how naturally we are introduced to his bizarre job in the opening scene. It's entirely believable and there isn't any need for your typical exposition in the opening scenes. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema captures this story well, using the same sense of tone that he applied so perfectly in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
"He couldn't deal with me, tried to put me on Prozac and now he's in love with his laptop!" - Catherine on Theodore
The strength and charm of this film lies in the director's clear vision of what Theo's world encompasses. In many ways we find ourselves in Theo, checking his email on the way home from work, sticking earphones in his ears for a little 'alone time', and seeking someone to share his thoughts with. After all, the most beloved people in our lives are those who we feel are prepared to "just listen". And the futuristic premise sets the stage for the love story between man and computer. But without its relaxed tone, methodical build up, oddly familiar futuristic sets and quirky style - look out for the pants! - the love story would likely be lost. And it's in Theo and Samantha's initial conversations that we are truly drawn in to the story. Until this point there's some Jonze-esque dark humour, but no real catch.
Like any relationship, though, there are some heartbreaking moments in Her. Theo's inability to understand and process his marriage with Catherine (a spectacular and mature Rooney Mara) leads us to the tissue box and has us remembering our "first love". But it is Theo's attachment to Samantha which truly grinds the heart strings. It has to be seen - or perhaps heard - to be believed.
Phoenix and Johansson bring two distinctly different styles to the film. Phoenix's roles are often louder and darker, but here he's able to strip it down and portray a quiet American. Whereas, Johansson is a bubbly voice and doesn't even have to show off her million dollar body. She's in career best form and surely should be considered a fine dramatic actress with the ability to make us laugh and cry. Amy Adams and Mara Rooney play the supporting acts so well and really help to create the dramatic tension between Theodore and Samantha.
Jonze's Her doesn't necessarily answer the question of how relationships fall apart, rather it appears the director questions what a relationship is and what they are based on.
You be the judge.
Her: 8/10
Him: 8.5/10
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