her
A
review
January
12, 2014
Viewed
January 11, 2014
****.5
out of *****
“Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boys
She’ll beat you if she’s able, you know the
queen of hearts is
Always your best best”
Frey & Henley
Love
in all of its forms is an emotion of connection. Those who love most deeply and lose that love
often describe the vacant, empty feeling of having something missing, a part of
themselves they cannot accurately describe, except when it is gone. The most basic forms of love asks us to
share common ideas, common hopes and dreams.
A love that truly endures is
often the love that accepts and allows their love to go forward, and take a fresh
journey forward. The connection survives,
even after their presence is gone.
He spends his days in
quiet reflection, writing words for others that move some to smile, some to
tears. His face blank, void of the
sentiment that pours out of him like an endless cycle of repetitive thoughts of
faces and connections he will never make.
He is lonely, confused, and is waiting for something to awaken again. He is coming back to life. He is vaguely recognizable if only our eyes
are open to see.
In the hands of
writer-director Spike Jonze in the deeply moving and comical parable that is her, we meet Theodore Trumbley,
suffering from a vague depression after the failure of his marriage, whose
landscape and world is upended by his fledging relationship with his newly
installed operating system who calls herself Samantha. Samantha and Theodore begin the most
unlikely of friendships, and Jonze and the incredible group of actors take us
on a journey into our possible future.
Forty-Four year old
director Jonze is only his fifth major feature seeks to explore the landscape
of a perhaps not too distant future with this tale of loneliness, love, and regret. Like never before Jonze has found his footing
as a director with a sharp attention to detail and fashioned a film of
expression. her is a film which works on so many levels that it defies easy categorization. It is certainly funny, but it is insightful
in its analysis of our society, and its growing need of expression and
connection through our devices. Jonze
uses his L.A milieu to paint the picture of the life Theodore must be living
inside. The film is one of images and
thought, but its insightful and beautiful written screenplay reveals in slow
increments the story of Theodore and Samantha.
It is remarkable in taking a story that seems on the outside
implausible, and making it a human story.
Is Theodore a reflection
of our times? Jonze uses his
occupation, as a letter writer for others who cannot express themselves
emotionally, as an extended metaphor about our current age of time, when individuals
hide behind their screens creating and synthesizing whatever they see fit to
be. The audience sits outside as observer
as we watch the relationship grow between Theodore and Samantha. We hear her voice, full of emotion and human
feeling, and for the audience this creation is often more real than the
characters we meet in the film. I
suspect that multiple viewings of the film will reveal layers of truth not
apparent at first blush.
Casting of this film
is surprising with four actors who are making notable departures from previous personas. First off once again marvel at the wonder
that is Amy Adams, who plays Theodore’s longtime friend, Amy. Ms.
Adams once again has proven her versatility with a moving performance. Rooney Mara has one wonderful scene and
tons of flashbacks as Theodore’s soon to be ex, Catherine. However the movie belongs to two actors
who are stepping far away from their personas.
In this remarkable year for lead actors, Joaquin Phoenix gives a soulful
and complicated portrayal of Theodore.
Mr. Phoenix, whose standard performance has been one of intense
structure is deeply moving here in a subtle and heartfelt performance. As Samantha, Scarlett Johansson is a
marvel. Although ruled ineligible for
her voice-over performance for Academy Award consideration, she is able with
her voice to reflect the growing conflicts of a character we cannot see, but
certainly come to understand.
Films like her come few and far between. Today’s films celebrate style and flash often
at the expense of heart. Jonze explores
the foundations of love, and what it means to address our most basic
fundamental needs, and find our place in the world. This is a wonderful, moving story filled
with memorable moments, and its last grace note is one to remember and cherish. her
is one of this year’s best films.
Tommy
Key
Rated R( language, sexuality, brief nudity)
