Her

A little while ago husband and I went to see ‘Her’; a film starring Joachim Phoenix and set in the nearish future. I have to write I was blown away by what was one of the best films I have ever seen.

So, spoiler alert…

The film was incredibly well made, acted and directed and (assuming the world is still here) deserves to win some Oscars. I was really struck by the portrayal of a world where technology had eroded intimacy and people were really only interested in themselves. It was very clever how Joachim’s character was employed at an internet firm that writes letters (love letters, congratulation letters etc) on behalf of other people, for example, and how whenever he turns to a human friend for support they always steer the conversation toward themselves.

I also liked how the happier the lead character was the less technology appeared in a setting. Holidaying in a rustic shack. A picnic with friends. When first with his now-ex wife they lived in an old Victorian or early 20^th century house. When sad or lonely his is in very futuristic settings, and grappling with technology – losing at a computer game for example. That was a really nice touch.

As an exploration of intimacy and the impact technology may have on it; how we may get increasingly lonely in ever larger crowds, it was very powerful. People have their jobs, and their homes; computer games, and shopping. They go out, dinner, the beach. They just don’t have each other.

One of the most amusing parts of the film were how, in his loneliness, the lead tried to explore physical intimacy. I have to write it rather reminded me of the wonderful world of online cruising. Inappropriate forwardness from virtual strangers. Going out for a random hook-up with someone who turned out to have a weird fetish; or how a relatively casual meeting reveals a hunger for emotional intimacy that dooms any chance of a relationship before it has even begun. I saw a lot of that in my single days. If straight people are heading that way it might not be too healthy…

It is only sci-fi. Art holds a mirror up to life though!

Scarlet Johansen played the artificial intelligence Joachim’s character eventually find refuge with and as a clever twist she is more than capable of meeting his every emotional need one human is far too little for her and by the end of it he is left behind, able only to get his needs met from other people.  

Yes, it is a great film. A fascinating premise, well executed and though provoking as much as it is amusing and awkward. It deserves recognition.