So, 2014 started, and my city has finally gotten this movie that was so praised in the United States last year. "Her" is about Theodore Twombly, who writes love letters for a living. Not his love letters, but others'. He is lonely and introverted, and his loneliness eventually drives him to purchase an artificially intelligent operating system. Over time, he falls in love with this AI, who calls herself Samantha.
Her felt like equal parts Before Midnight, with its relationship tensions, and Silver Linings Playbook, with its artful romantic dramedy elements. I loved both movies, but I think I loved Her even more. The world created here is interesting, and the characters are wonderful. The latter is the base of any romance film, whereas the former is the base of any science fiction story. Yet, the world and science fiction elements aren't the core of the film, even if they do play major roles. It takes these elements and explores them inwards. Instead of building the world like most science fiction adventures and many scifi thrillers and action films, it explores the characters and their lives, which are touched in many ways by this new technology.
If there's one thing you can't say of the film, it's that it's devoid of depth. Her is thematically strong, with many deep ideas about relationships, especially modern ones. There's many things it could be seen as an allegory for. I'll leave you to form your own interpretation, but even if it's taken literally, there are layers to this film. On the other hand, if you just want to watch it for your enjoyment, it can do that too. The film is well-written, with great humour and an emotional story. This isn't a deconstruction of a romantic comedy-it's just a film which does something different with the idea. That difference is a little artful touch that makes this more than your average romcom. It adds a dramatic tone to it, and makes it all the more powerful.
The lead performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson are amazing, really capturing the characters that Spike Jonze has written. If nothing else carries you through, these two will. Their performances are powerful. Phoenix is lonely, sad, confused, and then finally relieved and happy. Johansson captures the idea of a new consciousness trying to explore her emotions in every line. Credit should also be given with the latter to the sound editing. Other characters have the usual sound to their voices, but Samantha isn't their talking. Instead, we hear her voice differently, as if it's right in our ears. It's a small touch, but I think it helps make the character more fully realized.
Visually, the film is pink. Most other films around are gray or blue or maybe orange, but there aren't many movies that have this film's slight touch of pink. The cinematography is already well-shot, but it's this unusual choice of colour that stands out and makes the film all the more beautiful.
This is the first film I saw that opened here in 2014, and it could turn out to be the best. Regardless of what else gets released, this was just an amazing film. It certainly deserves all the praise that it's gotten, as well as the Oscar nominations. It's touching. It's emotional. It's funny, and it's deep, and it's altogether just a wonderful, wonderful movie. Please, see this film.
Extended thoughts (WARNING: SPOILERS)
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