Her (2013) Review

Her (2014) Review

Director – Spike Jonze

Stars - Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams

Spike Jonze normally spends several years between directing major productions, one might believe that this is because he has his hands full, writing and producing various other Hollywood pictures. Or you could suggest that it’s because he only takes on films that have personal meaning to him. His last full feature was 2009’s ‘Where the Wild Things are’ which was a great piece of cinema. Ever since he has spent his time playing small roles in a handful of big budget features (The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) and Money Ball (2012)) and making short films. Jonze had seemingly disappeared off the radar until the news of ‘Her’ surfaced and we first glimpsed that pink poster, the movie making legend had returned.

The film is set in near future LA where a lonely Theodore (Phoenix) has bought into a new A.I operating system called Samantha voiced by Johansson who creates the invisible companion ‘Her’. Among the blank skyscrapers and block coloured clothes that everyone in LA seem to be wearing (American Apparel are probably raking it in) we follow Theodore’s developing relationship with this perfectly voiced machine, and old love affairs which include his ex-wife Catherine (Rooney Mara) who makes her small part pivotal in emphasising what Samantha does best; make Theodore happy. As each scene rolls past we notice that every shot is perfectly placed and gives us a wonderful view of this man’s life. From his day job writing nostalgia filled letters between families, friends and lovers to his plain apartment in one of the towering buildings in central L.A. We are also given comedy; when Theodore plays a virtual game he comes across the best animated invention ever, in the form of a foul mouthed blob-like creature who insults Theodore’s choice in women. This in turn provides relief from what might have been a fairly monotone film. Another crucial part of the film is making Samantha’s existence meaningful as she begins to discover things for the first time and becomes self aware. Even though we don’t get to see Samantha’s face we don’t need to, it makes it better that we can imagine our own perfect companion, which is the whole point; Although Theodore craves to escape loneliness its Samantha that longs to feel the touch of another person, which in turn mirrors Theodore’s solemn tone at the beginning.

'Her’ has been seen by many critics as a question about our over dependence on technology, but it is so much more than this. Although it was widely overlooked at this year’s Oscars for various titles which included Best film, best score and best song (Let it go by frozen won which makes it worse), this film is a modern great. It’s nothing short of genius. Amy Adams' amazing performance helps to make sense of Theodore’s relationship with Samantha whilst we follow every twist and turn that they face in a society reliant on constant contact. In short this film is a masterpiece, Jonze has made something unique and special that everyone should see. 

RATING 5/5