Writer: Sophia Ling

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Watch this if you liked: “Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind” and “Blue Jasmine”.

How much of love is emotional and how much of it is physical? Written and directed by Spike Jonze, "Her" is a delightfully melancholic love story that explores how technology can literally kill your social life and break your heart.

Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Pheonix) works for beautifulhandwrittenletters.com where he sits at his desk composing sentimental, romantic and witty letters for people who are too lazy to write their own letters. His wife has left him and he's been continuing his journey to depression until he discovers and ultimately falls in love with Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), an operating system with a conscience. Coincidentally, the operating system has a husky albeit sexy voice.

"Sometimes I think I've felt everything I'm gonna feel, and from here on out I'm never going to feel anything new." Theodore tells Samantha one night. It is difficult not to get emotional with words like that. This amazing piece of writing from Spike Jonze plays on concepts that are close to the heart: loneliness, love, understanding, fear and many more. And unless you've never used a smartphone or a computer in your life, "Her" will definitely be relatable at some level.

Pheonix's performance as Theodore Twombly was nothing short of brilliant. Most of the film was essentially a one-man show and throughout the long scenes, Pheonix showed authenticity. His facial expression and his tone of voice showed emotional vulnerability that was believable. Scarlett Johansson delivered a memorable performance as well. Every sigh, every laugh and every time she answered the phone with a 'Hi Sweetie!' makes you want to fall in love with her too.

"Her" also features a very creative production design. Jonze creates a futuristic Los Angeles that's more sterile and sprawled with high rise buildings. The people of this future LA seem somewhat suburban with their pastel coloured clothing and their polite demeanor. Everyone is plugged in and talking into thin air. And in this 'Stepford' society, they walk around like ants minding their own business with their entire lives happening in their own heads. Life is so comfortable and convenient that there's no need to unplug and worry about the small stuff.

When it comes down to it, "Her" is a lonely-guy movie. It is an exploration of the power of love, and how love can make people do some pretty insane things.
Theodore's relationship with an OS is far from reality though but it is a close picture to the current day. And as the credits roll, it will lead one to wonder if this is where we are headed.


Cinema Online, 15 January 2014