Spike Jonze, who
wrote and directed the film Her, has
created a world in the future where technology is so advanced that voice
operating systems are intelligent enough to form human relationships. Many
audience members say the film is foreshadowing what the future of technology will
become someday. This world seems very far-fetched but at the same time very
realistic.
Joaquin Phoenix plays
the lead character named Theodore Twombly. His character is very lonely,
depressed, and not very social. The movie is set sometime in the near future
where technology, especially computers are more used than this day in age. A
new voice operating system for computers is created and able to think and
evolve into a brilliant mind. This operating system has the ability to do
anything for an individual in the virtual world. Twombly and his operating
system Samantha create a relationship deeper than one might have with his
typical computer. They fall in love.
The writer and
director Spike Jonze does a great job in making the relationship between the
characters believable and organic. While watching the movie I found myself
beginning to root for the relationship between the man and the artificial
intelligence. I also felt that this technology is not far off from where our
culture is headed. This movie touches on so many different topics about society
today. Jonze portrays the future of humanity so well and accurately it is
almost scary. The movie depicts a time where it is easier to become more introverted
and less social. With less social contact it is also easier to feel alone. So
the yarning for companionship is more abundant.
When I was
researching what viewers thought about this film I came across a podcast called
“Two Guys, One Movie” where Matt Galo and Justin Dubin discuss and review
movies. Both Galo and Dubin said that they loved the world that Jonze built. Admiring
how incredibly detailed everything was, they thought that the film illustrated a
number of deep concepts. One in particular is the study of human nature and
what makes a person human.
“The creativity
with how they make the relationship work is mind blowing and the study of human
beings and how we can evolve into society that is accepting with these things
is not that far fetched,” Dubin said.
Some viewers’
thought that the movie was not all that it was hyped up to be. Darcy Austin a
20 year old movie goer says that the nominations for the Golden Globes and all
of the publicity for the movie was what made her go see it. Austin felt that
the film lacked story development and was expecting more of a character build
up. However she also felt that the futuristic world was very visually appealing
and she loved the colors that were used in the cinematography. Austin also thought
that she could see a community eventually being much like the world we saw in
the film.
“The sad thing is
I know people like that, who have relationships that are only online and have
never met the person before. I can definitely see a culture where it is more
common to have relationships online or with a computer than in person,” Austin
said.
Her has won a Golden Globe for best
screenplay and is nominated for three Academy Awards for best picture, best
screenplay, and best original song. Joaquin Phoenix was also nominated for a
golden globe for best actor in a motion picture. The Academy Awards are less
than a month away and although there are many talented nominees this year, Her is a great contender for the
academy.
This romantic
sci-fi drama will leave the audience wondering what the future has in store and
reflecting on what qualifies for a real relationship. Overall many people enjoy
this creation by Jonze and really appreciate the simplistic environment that
the film projects. Even if some viewers find the movie dull at some points,
they can still appreciate the message and futuristic world that is on the screen.
Sources
Darcy Austin
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