Her ... A Spike Jonze Love Story Review

Her

2013

Written and Directed by Spike Jonze

Main Characters:  Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Chris Pratt, Rooney Mara

A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need.

Review by Sceona:

9 out of 10 Muddy Crowns

Theodore is a lonely writer who is going through a divorce and purchases the new OS1, which is advertised as the world's first artificially intelligent operating system, "It's not just an operating system, it's a consciousness,".  As Theodore and 'Samantha' get to know each other more, they find themselves in love with each other. 

For me, even though we didn't get to see her in person, my favorite part about this movie was the voice of Scarlett Johansson as Samantha. she sounded both real and machine at the same time, and I found myself wanting one. I just wouldn't want a relationship with it and that crazy sex scene. I loved how Theodore's friend Amy and co-worker Paul were so on board with his relationship with Samantha and the only one to have a problem with it was his ex-wife. 

 It's a true futuristic but simplified romantic drama about a hopeless romantic and the quest for love and understanding.

Review by Frankie Brazelton

10 out of 10 Muddy Crowns

Fucking Brilliant

Her is a somber heartfelt masterpiece.

Set in the no-so-distant future, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with his operating system named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Johansson’s performance, though strictly auditory, is riveting and spell binding. This story belongs equally to both characters. It’s as much a tale of a heartbroken hopeless romantic seeking true companionship and human contact as it is about an artificial consciousness that grows ever more self aware and grapples with human emotion and desire. Spike Jonze managed to create one of the most intimate and erotic scenes in film history set against an entirely black screen. There was absolutely no visual aid, yet the emotion and passion was palpable.

I’ve not one negative opinion of Her. I loved the understated and nostalgic fashion, the clean uncluttered look of the setting, the emotional and very real performance of Joaquin Phoenix, the astounding and gripping performance of Scarlett Johansson, and the incredibly artistic and phenomenal directing of Spike Jonze. This film was nothing short of genius.