“The past is just a story we tell ourselves.” —Samantha
Today’s quick review: Her. Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely man going through a messy divorce, gets a new lease on life when he meets Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), an artificially intelligent operating system with her own personality. As the two get to know each other, they gradually fall in love and begin dating. But as their relationship evolves, Theodore must decide whether what they have is real or simply a delusion.
Her is a science fiction romance that explores the shifting nature of relationships in an increasingly technological world. The invention of advanced AI makes a whole new kind of relationship possible, one that’s either a new form of fulfillment for those who need it most or an escapist trap built on fantasy. Her crafts its world with care, using Theodore and Samantha to reflect on deeper questions about love, happiness, and the role of technology.
Her goes to great lengths to set its tone. Everything from the color palette to the soundtrack to Theodore’s mannerisms has a soft, pensive feel to it, setting the stage for an introspective story that leans heavily on emotion. Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson deliver convincing performances, and the script gives them ample opportunity to play off one another. The result is a deeply personal story about a man’s search for fulfillment.
At the same time, Her can be a hard movie to get into. Its sentimental tone will feel overbearing for some viewers, while Theodore’s relationship with Samantha can easily come across as pathetic to someone who doesn’t buy into the film’s thesis. Her relies on a very particular kind of suspension of disbelief, a willingness to invest in Theodore’s personal struggles and accept the conclusions he comes to about love and life.
Her is a carefully crafted film with considerable upside potential. The right viewer will find it to be an insightful and poignant watch whose main value comes from its honest portrayal of a budding relationship, with all its ups and downs. The wrong viewer will find it to be passive and misguided. Either way, Her accomplishes what it sets out to do, making it a worthwhile pick for those willing to buy into its premise.
For a romantic comedy with a similarly modern perspective on relationships, try 500 Days of Summer, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or High Fidelity. For a more fanciful movie that gets inside the head of a lonely man, try Stranger Than Fiction or The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. For a darker sci-fi movie that touches on similar themes, check out Blade Runner 2049.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for emotionally potent sci-fi speculation; your score will vary heavily.