Her (Film Review)

First, I would like to point out that a movie with the capability to make me almost cry is a well done movie in its own right. There are things that are so suggestive about Spike Jonze’s script that put me in a complex situation and kind of shifted my view on how a relationship can be perceived, to which I say I think that was the point obviously. Jonze had an array of characters introduced throughout each piece of the film or as I call it the four layers of cinema pie: the story’s introduction, why am I watching this film, does the music even keep up with the film alone, and, my personal favorite, what the actual fuck moments. This will be the first film I’ve put into my style of reviewing films and other forms of cinematography, so here goes a critique from a dumbass. Let’s start with the story’s introduction.
Story Introduction
Characters with a solid background are vital as a vitamin is to a five-year old kid who just caught his or hers first cold. The story of Theodore Thombly was one I heard numerous times in a vastly amount of cinematic dramas with a romantic placement. Theodore had been a strong introvert, a brilliant performance as usual from Joaquin Phoenix, with tendencies to have not as many interactions with his soon-to-be ex-wife laying out the layers of what he thought and saw as romance. Theodore’s character is utterly established not for merely the audience and critics sake but it is important to know about his thoughts on the egging question: What is love to you?
Why am I watching this film?
From the point I heard the woman on the earpiece moaning about phone sex and her dead cat in her room to Joaquin’s reaction to the situation, I was almost tempted to just stop the movie…literally. I couldn’t imagine feeling an overabundance of laughter ready to swoop in and just completely ruin the scene. One might say even Joaquin and Jonze plotted out this scene in hopes of viewers to turn a head and ask “Is this the shit I paid for?” I jest, but as the film continues on, his relationship with the OS Samantha intrigued me. The relationship is the core of the entire film aside with supporting actors Chris Pratt and Amy Adams in the fray. We have to see everything play out and what bonds it takes for a film of this magnitude to receive acclaim for diverse performances and intriguing ways of how 21st century technology furthers our way of thinking. Samantha, voiced by God’s nerd gift to the world, Scarlett Johannsson, had me smirking and throwing out a few “rewind” and “play” moments for the film. Even with no ACTUAL appearance within the movie (although, I’m positive that was her body and silhouette at the film’s climax) she delivers stellar voice-over acting with emotion to make one weep, feel, and process the situation of each scene she is involved in. Chris Pratt is the guy you want to have as a best friend no matter what film he may be involved in. He has been given the usual typecast comical role but has flexed his dramatic side to his acting (Zero Dark Thirty, Moneyball, Delivery Man, Guardians of the Galaxy) with each performance. This put Chris as one of my favorite actors, who I claim, is finally getting the recognition he deserves (Shout out to Parks and Recreation, you are going to be missed after next year!). Amy Adams is the girl who gets left at prom and has nothing to do but ask for a ride back to the creepy guy no one talked to in school. I felt bad for her character and as she delivered her lines, emotional trauma seemed to leak out from the actress herself. This alone sold me on her character and caused me to wonder how someone would abandon a wife like Amy and live to tell the tale (Sort of kidding…no, I’m not). Other fine actors are Olivia Wilde, Portia Doubleday, Rooney Mara, Kristen Wiig (she’s the Sexy Kitten voice where I’ll elaborate in my WTAF moment) and Spike Jonze himself (I didn’t know the little alien kid was him the entire film until I googled it).
Does the music even keep up with the film?
I have to say the musical score for this film was breathtaking and utterly calming to the mind. With a peaceful capture of the scenes by cinematographer Hoyte van Hotema, the parts were played along to the characters brooding mood of an introvert and stemmed into the nature of the human psyche a bit. Arcade Fire did an excellent exposition of Theodore and how he looks at life with each piece of the score giving a “walk in his shoes” type of feeling as we continue to coast along. The film kept me on my toes with each dramatic piece involved and the surprising nature of things to enjoy were the character’s comedic interactions (including lead, supporting, and voice-over) and the groove was shifted by just one sample of Theodore’s look, Amy’s concern, a laugh, a tear, etc. Arcade Fire’s acoustics could mellow out the most unstable and loudmouth baby in the crowd.
What the actual fuck moments
Finally, I would deem a plenty of WTAF moments into a book of insane possible things I’ve most likely seen with locals around the block but phone sex has not been on my list of things to start up (or consider, honestly, no.) Kristen Wiig may not have had anything to say but it doesn’t mean that the effect didn’t stick with me throughout the film. The film had those key ingredients mixed into the already ridiculous sci-fi romance and then with a hint of realistic comedy, you have what I have now to begun deeming for future writing “Wiiging Out”. Another WTAF moment for the film with me was the fact Theodore shutting down Catherine and making himself out to look as a weirdo in her eyes. The process was almost a literal two minute mark and I can already still feel mad at Joaquin Phoenix denying Olivia Wilde. Dammit! It’s OLIVIA FUCKING WILDE! If the opportunity arose where I had the chance to take that woman on a date and she asked about our kissing, my response is a clear “TRY HARDER, BITCH!” to my conscious. Now, reasonably as a future filmmaker, I would like to go on record and state that Wilde is not a bitch BUT her character shot down a nerd. A little stereotypical, eh Jonzey? (See what I did there?)
Final Words
My overall analysis of Her is the film enlightens us to the beauty of what we perceive as a race for what love stands for and endures and, I promise I’m not sugarcoating this statement, how we might find “love” in twenty to thirty years from now. God bless the world and its problems to come. The film in my book will be regarded with high marks and I would recommend watching for your own appeal and formula of how you may enjoy love and its complete maniacal concepts.
P.S.- Yeah, for guys/girls who have boyfriends/girlfriends and you are a closet nerd, NOW would be the time to show her this movie in case she tries to pull one over on you…I mean it! (Laughs)