Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Chris Pratt! Olivia Wilde, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Synopsis: A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that’s designed to meet his every need.
A film I’ve been looking forward to for a while now, largely due to Spike Jonze, and the word on the street has been good. I wasn’t disappointed. Her was by turns poignant, heartbreaking, weird, funny and ultimately strangely real. Who would have thought a film about a guy who falls in love with a computer or an operating system would explain the complexities of a relationship from start to finish, so well, and so eloquently.
Joaquin Phoenix plays the sad and lonely, but romantic at heart writer, Theodore. He purchases an operating system called Samantha, played by Scarlett Johansson (whom we never actually see). This isn’t any old computer program, and he starts to build a bond with her. Sure he is going through a divorce with Rooney Mara, and goes on a date with Olivia Wilde, but who would want either of those when you could have a computer?! I mean, if Championship Manager could talk, I would never have got married!
But the course of true love never runs smooth as we all know, and before long this seemingly perfect union between man and machine gets complicated. It is great credit to Spike Jonze and all the actors involved how they get you believing in the situation and caring for the characters. Sure, it’s a love story about a guy and his computer, but a love story is still a love story, and this one, from start to finish is a cracker, I guess it put me in mind of another favourite of mine, Lars and the Real Girl. Both films have a bizarre love interest and both films have a real heart to them as well.
MOVIES & MUSIC CAFE 
Can’t wait to see this one, so jealous!
It’s pretty awesome Davide!
Oh I believe you! Spike winning best screenplay was my favorite moment of the Globes, loved his speech too 😀
I didn’t see any of the globes or who won what. He deserves best screenplay though I think. I love how he can go from something as nuts and low brow as Jackass to something as intelligent and thought provoking as this. Class act
Yeah, absolutely! I think it just shows what an awesome, unpretentious person he is. His Weezer video for Buddy Holly also holds a special place in my heart 🙂
Agreed!
Nice review I enjoyed this one as well. Quite an achievement.
Yeah Annie I thought Jonze did a good job conveying a relationship even if it was between a guy and a computer! It was sort of an amalgamation of two Gosling films Lars and the Real Girl and Blue Valentine I thought.
The ending was so unexpected, I think its my favorite part of the film
Yeah I didn’t see it coming either! My wife says she did, but I don’t believe her! Mind you, she is an operating system so who knows!
Only joking 😊
Haha. 🙂
I have been waiting for this movie ever since, but unfortunately it isn’t showing at any theatres near my place of abode
Be patient my friend. All good things come to those who wait! I’m sure you will see it sooner or later and it will be worth the wait!
I would have to take your word for it
Cannot stress how much I’m looking forward to this one. Thanks for the review!
BTW, did you ever see the 2008 film Two Lovers (also starring Joaquin Phoenix)? Not the best film ever, but it certainly deserved more notice than it got. Check it out!
I’ve not seen that but I’ll add it to my watch list now! Cheers man!
I Love Spike Jonze ♥
Same here!
Been hearing a lot of good things about Her. Excellent review.
It’s been one of the best I’ve seen lately for sure