HER

HER

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Friday from director Spike Jonze and Warner Bros. is the technological relationship with HER.

This film tells the story of Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a writer of letters who is recently divorced and lonely. To combat this he buys an operating system that will help get his life back on track. Her name is Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) and almost immediately she puts Theodore’s life in order.

What starts out as a friendship quickly turns to something else as he finds himself taking Samantha every where. With a little pocket gadget he has long conversations that brings him happiness. So much so that Samantha is finally brought out on gatherings with his friends who at first see it as strange but they too begin to enjoy her company.

As with all relationships there are changes and Samantha is no exception. Discovering what she can do brings her enjoyment and more time away from Theodore.

All he wants – is her.

FINAL WORD: Phoenix as Theodore is sweet, has serious self-esteem issues, and needs therapy all at the same time. This is fine performance showing Phoenix’s vulnerable side, which I needed to see since I can’t get THE MASTER out of my noggin still and that’s not good!

Johansson as the strictly vocal Samantha is funny, smart, sweet and – a computer. It is interesting to hear all the fuss about Johansson not being able to be nominated for an award because she didn’t act. Well, I think she acted far better than a lot of the performances on the screen this past film year but that’s just me I guess.

Adams, Letscher, Mara and Pratt have small roles in the film. Mara’s might be slightly longer as Theodore finally meets up with the ex Catherine and there are a few minute of awkwardness that will make most people want to slap the ex in the head but as with all things it passes.

Other cast include: Amy Adams as Amy, Matt Letscher as Charles, Chris Pratt as Paul, Rooney Mara as Catherine, and Brian Johnson as the OS1 Commercial Lead with cameos by Bill Hader as Chat Room Friend #2, Kristen Wiig as Sexy Kitten, and Spike Jonze as Alien Child.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give HER three tubs of popcorn out of five. It’s not that I didn’t care for the film but perhaps it hits a little to close to the reality of relationships now. There are so many people that find relationships/love through cat-fishing, messaging, txting and www.dateme.com interneting that it has pretty much sickened me near to death.

Having experienced the ‘man having a relationship with a woman (or women – yes, that’s plural) AND his computer’ syndrome I couldn’t really get into this Operating System love affair at all. The film is beautifully photographed; the music is quite lovely, the story provocative and that is what I liked about the film.

The film has 6 Critic’s Choice Award Nominations, Best Film of the Year by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Winner Best Picture and Best Director from the National Board of Review, 3 Golden Globe Nominations, the AFI’s Official Selection for Film of the Year, PGA Aware Nominee for Best Picture of the Year, and WGA Award Nominee for Best Screenplay.

That being said it seems that I’m in a minority in what I think about the film, either that or the pickings were again so slim in 2013 just like 2012 that a sad-looking-beautiful-eyed Phoenix does it for em’. Nothing wrong with that.

In the end – it’s everything about everything.