Day 70 Her [2013]
Screenplay Spike Jonze
Director Spike
Jonze
Cinematography Hoyte
van Hoytema
Music Arcade
Fire
Leads Joaquin Phoenix,
Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Chris Pratt
Production Annapurna Pictures
IMDb 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes 94%
Wow. I had heard good things about this movie,
but for some reason I had always been put off watching it. Strangely I think
the theatrical release poster of a blue-eyed Joaquin Phoenix, sporting a
scarlet shirt and a strong moustache, made me think the film would be some Woody
Allen Casanova type film. However, from the moment I started watching I was
captivated by this not-too-distant future world. A troubled Theodore (Phoenix)
is getting divorced and is struggling with his emotions and his own thoughts on
love and life, until he falls in love with his operating system. Sounds fucked
up, I know, but don’t be put off. It is a well-written script by Jonze, who
predicts artificial intelligence that has its own consciousness, learns and
adapts. It was reminiscent of Ava in Ex Machina – the way in which
Samantha, the operating system, learns Theodore’s personality through his hard-drive,
calls and emails and ‘falls in love’ with him. Jonze writes well because he
leaves it up to us to work out what we think of Samantha – do we believe what
she is saying? Is she just saying it because of her design? We have no way of
learning how truthful she is. I am using the word ‘she’ here when really it is
just an operating system, it could have been a him, it was Theodore’s choice to
have a female voice. Jonze also subtly suggests a future that seems to be
devoid of black people and overweight people. I think we see the odd black
person in crowd shots, but otherwise it is a very Caucasian world. The costume
design and cinematography are beautiful in this film. Theodore wears high waisted
woollen trousers, collarless shirts in palette colours. We see smoggy
cityscapes and pristine office space. Hoyte is a master. Phoenix is supported
brilliantly by the extremely talented Adams, Wilde and Mara. Johansson also
deserves a special mention, it seems easy not to have to act, but voice acting
isn’t easy, although I suppose when you have a voice like hers maybe it is…
Arcade Fire provide a mesmerising and emotional original score that earned them
an Academy Award nomination. I just liked everything about this film. I wouldn’t
say it is perfect as some things about Theodore annoyed me – for a seemingly
intelligent man, I’m surprised he never questions the capacity of Samantha – an
infinitely intelligent operating system. But let’s not dwell on the negatives,
they were few and far between. Her is a thought-provoking, relevant masterpiece
and I enjoyed it a lot.
Acting 4
/ 4
Writing 4
/ 4
Cinematography 4
/ 4
Music 3.5
/ 4
HWF
rating 4 / 4