Over Longwood University’s winter break a slew of great films came out in theatres in anticipation of the awards season. None were quite as pertinent to our time or as aesthetically exquisite as Spike Jonze’s film “Her.”
We are brought into to our world some time in the not-to-distant future. Everything is colored with dusty pinks, reds and oranges in contrast with the sleek white interface of the designer technology-laden universe.
Theodore Twombly, played by Joaquin Phoenix, writes letters for a company entitled “BeautifulHandWrittenLetters.com,” where professional writers like Theodore take tidbits of peoples lives and write touching heartfelt letters to their loved ones on their behalf. Is it touching that in the future such faux-sentiment is still valued? Not particularly, but Theodore adores his work, makes a good salary and crafts touching letters that bring him a feeling of connectedness to the emotional intricacies of the human experience. Phoenix conveys these subtleties through a quiver of the lip, a furrow of the brow or a giddy grin.
Through a series of montages a la “500 Days of Summer,” we learn of the tender heartbreak Theodore has just endured after separating from his wife. He resorts to the tried and true capitalist formula for the lonely soul: retail therapy. He purchases the newest and most advanced Operating System available that reveals the first existence of true Artificial Intelligence. From there Samantha is born.
The stunning Scarlett Johansson voices Samantha, Theodore’s Operating System (“OS”). Much like a human being, from the moment she is installed her “mind” evolves and develops and her experiences begin to shape her beyond her initial programming. As Theodore and Samantha converse, an authentic romantic relationship begins to form between them.
Johansson’s voice captures our attentions and hearts without a single image to aide in her emotional journey. She captures an intense vulnerability in her voice as she muddles through the complex questions that come with questioning your own existence. Theodore and the audience find themselves contemplating what exactly does it mean to be real?
The remarkable thing about “Her,” is that it is not a purely social commentary on media and technology. It manages to warn us of the inevitable complications and dilemmas of our innovations without demonizing progress.
The film closes with an emphasis on friendship, and the beauty of real time human interaction. Despite this, as the credits roll members of the audience immediately turn their attentions to their smartphones. Humanity can’t always be helped.
