Movie Blurb by Shale January 11, 2014 I saw her today - a great movie - loved it. And altho I have the capacity to love bad movies, it seems the aggregate reviewers agree with me on this one at 93% approval. It is bit of sci-fi since it involves artificial intelligence but basically a study of human relations, with drama and comedy. Great story by Spike Jonze, great direction by Spike Jonze, and great cast tho mostly Joachin Phoenix and the voice of Scarlett Johansson. Coincidentally, last night I watched an episode of Star Trek: TNG where Commander Data the android on the Enterprise is in a court to determine if he is property of Star Fleet or a sentient being, a different life form. This is why I enjoy these fictional stories of Artificial Intelligence because I feel we are on the threshold of creating it, and we will have to learn how to interact with and respect it as an independent entity. Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) is an urban gentleman who has a nice pad and a good job writing letters for the expressively challenged. Not that he is the most outgoing guy, being very introverted to the point that his wife Catherine (Rooney Mara) is divorcing him. In a moment of loneliness he sees an ad for a personalized AI computer operating system, OS1. He installs it and gets acquainted with Samantha (voice by Scarlett Johansson) who chose the name herself. "She" explains how she knows so much about him thru her programming, which learns from experience and that she can grow from that experience. Theodore with his cell fone and earbud carries Samantha around with him and soon forgets that he is talking to silicon based algorithms and starts interacting with "her" as a real person. They hit it off, make each other laf and have an enjoyable time together, each bringing their own gifts to the relationship. Theodore takes Samantha to the Beach All his friends initially consider that Theodore is talking and e-mailing a real girl and Samantha starts communicating with others as Theodore's GF. Eventually he confides in his lifelong friend Amy (Amy Adams) that Samantha is an OS and he learns that after Amy's husband left her she found his OS and has been communicating with it, so she understands how compelling a relationship it is. Theodore & Amy Lifelong Friends So, that is the setup. Theodore is having difficulty letting go of his relationship with his wife and reluctant to sign the divorce papers, but with Samantha's encouragement, signs them and moves on. Then he discovers as Samantha grows she too has desires and wants to fulfill, which he must learn to respect as if she were a real person. This is what makes this movie so compelling, the way the interpersonal growth of artificial intelligence is no different than the interpersonal growth of biological intelligent beings. As with any good romantic-drama there are ups and downs in the relationship and these are well-considered and believable. Pensive Theodore This movie is rated R because "fuck" was said more than once (sometimes quite hilariously). It would likely not be of interest to anyone under 20 anyhow because it is almost entirely dialogue spoken by Theodore by himself with replies from Samantha. There are brief interactions from other characters, but most of the movie is this singular dialogue, which I found intriguing and entertaining. It would most appeal to those open to sci-fi concepts, even tho the hardware shown is either available now or soon will be. The software maybe not so soon - but probably in another lifetime or two. Also, having had experience with long term relationships that have grown apart would help make this movie more personally involving. I already told you how much I like this movie. I would highly recommend it.
Cyber Friends I usually put my personal spin on my movie blurbs. Like Theodore, I don't have a bunch of friends IRL. Srsly, when I take stock, aside from family and co-workers, most of my friends are connected to me by the Internet. Some are acquaintances whom I have met briefly IRL and we keep in touch on social networks or by e-mail, and some I have never met in the flesh. They are just words and images on my monitor - and yes, I realize the potential for that to be fake. But I relate to these disembodied entities as what they tell me they are until I discover otherwise. I am even close to some of them, have very personal discourse with them and discovered that even tho I have never physically met them, they cause me concern when facing problems. Such as one of my young cyber friends who had a near fatal medical condition. Here is my account of those feelings I wrote at the time: CyberFriend January 2009 Why would I cry Over someone I've never met? I haven't touched or hugged Or kissed him, Have never heard his voice. All I know of him Are images on a screen, Words printed on my monitor Show glimpses of his life. A friend in Cyberspace, Electron connected Across the Earth but, Connected nonetheless To my Mind and to my Heart. Thru the love of his image, I met him. Thru the wisdom of his words, I love him. "Seduce my mind And you can have my body, Find my Soul And I am yours forever." Our bodies are decades apart My old age is drawn to his youth But I love his Soul, And Souls are forever young. We are kindred spirits, In Cyberspace connected, When he has joy - I laugh When he hurts - I cry This can explain how I could also feel emotionally about artificial intelligence - even that which did not have a physical body, but merely thots expressed in text or verbally, as if I were talking to a friend over some distance. It could become a very real relationship, just as the friendship with these real ppl around the world with whom I communicate now and have never actually met.
I protest in the name of the under 20. I suppose you may be right in thinking that most under 20's would be interested in other movies, though I think that the dividing line may be sophistication and intelligence rather than age.
I guess that most of us here have similar types of online relationships. I think this may be what this movie is really about. Knowing someone face-to-face adds a certain element, but I don't think that there is any reason why that type of relationship should be inherently more meaningful. Meaning and connection are simply where you find them. There could be people that you've seen face to face often, and have known for many years but have no real connection to them. Someone that you know online could be your soulmate.
the trailer made me cry a few months ago when I saw it. been looking forward to "her" ever since. good call its so relevant to todays society too. brilliant movie and completely under appreciated if you ask me.
Nice posts, Shale. Tried to get my kids to see it--but if shit isn't blowing up--they pass; It's a shame, that. I'll see it.
I still really want to see this film so bad!! Haven't even seen it yet and I know it's going to be good. I'm already loving the soundtrack on it! has a really nice score. I plan on doing a cover of the moon song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml00a-o6VDI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml00a-o6VDI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_72RkQV25Y"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_72RkQV25Y
Finally saw it.. I really liked it. Up until Samantha told him about the other 600 (if you have seen it, you know what I mean).
The Master and now this; Joaquin Phoenix might just be my favorite actor. He played this one so raw and yet so deep; I don't know that there has ever been a more complete character on screen. And that's a credit to Spike Jonze as well. The writing was so multi-faceted; a perfect conjoining of story and meaning with whimsy and humor tying a pretty little ribbon on it. None of it felt forced; the narrative flowed naturally through the characters and settings. For a movie that's driven by flaws, those of people and their relationships, it had almost none.
