Funnily, "Her" isn't much of a departure in comparison to Jonze's earlier work, but it is, without a doubt, his most captivating. They come off as too weird or too alienating for many ("Being John Malkovich" anyone?). This is a film about how we live now and how we might live in the future.Now as for starters, I am not a big fan of Spike Jonze's pictures. If falling in love with anyone is a form of socially acceptable insensitivity, someone asks, how is what these two have that much different?įinally, however, the questions “Her” poses about the ambivalent potential of personal technology is its most intriguing aspect. “I have intuition, the ability to grow and evolve through my experiences, just like you” she is continually reminding Theodore, but she is learning at an exponential rate, which leads to problems and situations only Jonze could think up and bring off.Īs the relationship deepens, Jonze draws intriguing parallels between the Theodore-Samantha relationship, alternately creepy and sweet, and one between two actual people. As Theodore gets increasingly attached to her, Samantha is learning more and more about what human life is like. Samantha doesn’t stay brand new for long, however. Johansson does a remarkable job using only her voice to create what is in effect a brand new person whose warmth and joy are infectious. Key to making this transition work is the exceptional work done by Johansson in a part that was originally acted from start to finish by Samantha Morton before Jonze decided he wanted a different vocal quality in the role. Samantha also encourages him to seek human companionship beyond his old college pal Amy (a very different Amy Adams from her flashy con woman in “American Hustle”), even pushing him into a problematic blind date (an impressive Olivia Wilde.) Is it any wonder that Theodore is soon telling Samantha that he has more fun with her than anyone. In short order - Samantha is nothing if not a quick study - she organizes Theodore’s schedule, helps him with his writing and his video game playing, laughs at his jokes and makes some of her own. But he soon gets used to “her” and, given what she brings to his life, that is no surprise. Theodore is nonplused at first by Samantha’s easy familiarity. a consciousness that knows you.” With nothing else going on in his life, Theodore is ready for something new, so he signs on.Įnter Samantha, with a voice that tells you immediately that this is an entity who really cares about you, you and only you. It all starts with an ad that catches Theodore’s eye, an ad promising “the first artificially intelligent operating system. Once, in other words, Samantha comes into Theodore’s life. Phoenix does solid work in this poor soul role, but, not surprising for an actor who is most at home with extreme characters like Freddie Quell in “The Master,” he becomes more convincing once “Her” ventures into stranger territory. “Her” gives him a number of options, including unnerving phone sex, happy flashback memories of his former marriage to Catherine (Rooney Mara, softer than we’re used to) and a video game featuring a foul-mouthed alien tot (Jonze provides the unnerving voice.) With glasses and a diffident manner typing him as a bit of a nerd, Theodore doesn’t quite know what to do with himself when he’s alone, which is a lot of the time. This slightly futuristic enterprise is set in a slightly futuristic Los Angeles, evocatively photographed by Hoyte Van Hoytema (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”) and smartly constructed out of bits of the real Los Angeles and glimpses of Shanghai’s new purpose-built Pudong district by the directors’ longtime production designer K.K. LIST: Golden Globe nominations 2014 | PHOTOS: Golden Globe 2014 nominees
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