Her - A Futuristic Approach to Relationships

   With an exponentially increasing dependency upon our personal computers and technical widgets for communication and entertainment, we are quickly becoming an inward-facing society where social avoidance is prevalent.  Our co-dependence and over-reliance upon our smartphones and other smart widgets aid in justifying our discomfort of being present in reality and assist in increasing our reluctance for direct human interfacing.  Social awkwardness is quickly becoming the social norm resulting in our inability to deal with our emotions and overcoming difficult situations.

   Spike Jonze explores this issue and takes it a step further in his new drama, yet lightly Sci-Fi film Her (2013) as he introduces us to a not-so-distant future of normal American life.  Theodore Twambley (Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely writer going through a divorce who has become somewhat of a social recluse.  Theodore chooses the comforts of online communication and video games over social invitations from his plutonic friendship with Amy (Amy Adams).  Theodore purchases the new cutting edge OS1, the world's first artificial intelligence operating system (OS) advertised as "a consciousness."  Theodore is immediately drawn to Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), the voice of his new OS1, and develops a serious relationship with her.  Samantha helps Theodore navigate the murky waters of his inner emotions and deal with the reality of his divorce.

   Her is set in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and has a futuristic, yet retro appeal. Varying hues of orange, yellow, and pink set against stark white backgrounds harken the 1960s. Yet clean lines of trendy, contemporary furniture set in open, airy rooms of chic high-rise apartments provide a futuristic and modern feeling.  Phoenix's performance is soulful and heartfelt.  He brings a tenderness and vulnerability to his character Theodore dressed in hip straight-legged tweed trousers and collarless, button-up shirts in varying shades of orange -- a connector color seen throughout the film. 

   Her is a smart and funny glimpse into the current direction of society and our increasing inability to deal with human conflict head on.  It presents us with the possibility of humans engaging in deep emotional relationships with technology - artificial intelligence.

   This a great date movie that is sure to spark interesting and engaging conversation over a nice cup of coffee.  You will certainly leave the theater pondering your current state of social avoidance  -- let's face it, we all do it -- and evaluating the current state of your real life friendships and relationships.   

OVERALL RATING:  Go See It

Motion Picture Rating:  Her is rated R per the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for language, sexual content and brief graphic nudity.  Parents should consider leaving the tweens and teens at home.  There are many emotionally intense scenes throughout the film primarily through dialogue and sexual situations, none through violence. This being said, the film is very mature, very sophisticated, and intended for adult audiences.

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