Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johannson, Amy Adams
Theodore Twombley (Phoenix) is feeling lonely following a messy recent divorce from his wife (Rooney Mara) confiding largely in technology to fill the void, Theodore learns about OS; the world's first fully intelligent operating system. Upon starting it up, he begins to talk to the conversational operating system known as Samantha (Johannson) and "she" and Theodore begin to form an unorthodox romantic relationship.
Having filled the last couple of years with short films, Spike Jonze has returned to directing features with Her; a deliberately rather oddball sci-fi romance that despite its sense of detachment and sterility, does pack some power.
Whilst science-fiction films tend to be noted more for their effects work, it is the drama and the human element that is more evident here even if it strange considering only half of the central romantic relationship is human. It's a task that both leads Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johannson live up to admirably, especially Johannson in an entirely vocal performance (that wasn't even hers originally as the role was cast for Samantha Morton, hence the character named Samantha, with Johannson being casted during post-production). Amy Adams also makes for a likeable side-character as Phoenix's best friend.
Although the film is based around a contentious topic, it's largely non-judgmental and presents a relationship that is strange and will (intentionally) seem to some rather creepy, it can also be seen as a happy relationship, even though the relationship seems lacking in conflict (this could be reasoned with Johannson playing a tool designed for company she's supposedly submissive, but this does contradict some of the film's unseen depictions of similar relationships). The film also has a realistic and consistent depiction of the near-future but the looks do sometimes fall towards a slightly out-of-place hipsterdom (mostly River Phoenix wearing small spectacles, wearing a neat moustache and occasionally plucking a ukelele.). Regardless, Her is an intriguing and rewarding piece even if it is an acquired taste, Her is a film of rare intelligence and insight into human relationships.
Next time, George Clooney directs and leads an all-star cast, rescuing art from the hands of the Third Reich in The Monuments Men.
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