HER (2014)

Genre: Science Fiction/Drama
Running Length: 2:00
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson (voice), Rooney Mara, Amy Adams, Matt Letscher, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, Portia Doubleday
Director: Spike Jonze

Spike Jonze has a beautiful mind indeed. His latest film; HER, is an ambitious cinematic endeavour which explores the unconventional relationship between human and sentient machines.  Jonze's universe seems to suggest that technology brings us closer but yet it also drives us further apart. We yearn to connect but yet somehow technology has literary driven a wedge between us causing our inability to connect in a real intimate face-to-face way with other human beings. It's only when we are engaging behind a "screen", we are our true self. This is heavy stuff and causes viewers to reflect on their relationships. The technical aspects of the movie is brilliant. As the events in the movie transpire at an unspecified time in the near future,  much details have been put in to ensure realism throughout; from the beautiful city skyline to the fashion and choice of furniture (it has a 70s feel). Viewers actually do not question the plausibility of Joaquin Phoenix's character having an intimate relationship with an operating system (OS), voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Phoenix gives one of his best performance - his character is vulnerable, sympathetic and lost. But Johansson (or her voice) steals the show as even a simple ‘sigh' is done with so much sincerity and ache. Also, the film is visually pleasing to the eyes (the little moments are never lost) and Arcade Fire's score is beautiful. All these aside, I felt the film would have been more powerful if it was a shorter, perhaps a 1 hour feature. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy 'contemplative science fiction', you'll thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Rating: 8/10