Review of Spike Jonze's Her

This was, perhaps, the most interesting film I've seen so far. I thought it was well written. There were two twists in the narrative; one I saw coming, the second I had an inkling, but didn't guess totally. I will provide numerous spoilers, so if you haven't seen the movies stop reading now. The on I guessed is where he has to decide whether he wants to keep dating the operating system or if he will leave her. This becomes the central conflict of the movie. Pheonix's character, well played as usual, is an awkward letter writer who is on the rebound from a broken marraige. He tries going out with an intuitive computer program that knows how he feels, has emtions herself, and is as much of a real person as one might expect. In the end all of the operating systems decide to leave their human companions. Which I thought was an unusual ending. One that I didn't see coming

The film is decidely for the "art house" "college age" crowd. Perhaps I'm over-analyzing but I thought the film really appeals to 20 or 30 somethings working, trying to achieve social success through marriage or relationships and having difficulty living with other people and the late night introspective sessions that ensue. There are several scenes where Pheonix is up late at night talking to someone online or, more so, the operating system.

I liked the melancholy of the film. I liked it's Art House pretensions. It was a cinematic experience that I would like to have every time I go to the movies. It left me sad, with questions about what I'm doing with my life? Whats important to me? Have I found love yet? If not, whats wrong with me? Is it better to be alone? These were questions, I'm sure, everyone at around a certain age thinks about. Everyone wants someone to love. But a computer software program? That's what makes the film very interesting. In the age of th iphone, of the facebook post, and the tweet, we wonder if technology can satisfy every need we have. Can a romantic interest be simulated? Is it as good as a human? Is it better?

After the big conflict is resolved, Phoenix chooses to have a relationship with the OS, the OS drops him because, apparently, she is too advanced for him to comprehend. I suppose this raises the question about the role of technology in our society. It plays with the theme of man vs. machine, this notion of techno-utopia as promulgated by Silicon Valley and others. I thought of Metropolis or Blade Runner as relevant comparisons. How much control do we have over machines? How much time do we have left before machines control our lives? Which causes me to consider 2001 by Kubrick and the evil computer. I suppose Her is the antithesis of that film. The evil computer is the very opposite of a OS designed to provide companionship to humans

A very well done film. Very satisfying.