OMEN: Her is a mesmerizing tale that will occupy the mind for years to come.
By Stephen Park, staff writer
In an era of media regurgitation and a severe lack of originality, Her is wonderfully unique—it is the exact definition of food for thought. It is what a movie should be: thought-provoking, emotional, endearing, brave and well-executed. And if there is ever a romantic possibility for our time it would be Her.
Spike Jonze is quite possibly one of the brightest minds in creative writing. His skill shines in Being John Malkovich, where a puppeteer finds way into the mind of an actor, and in his wildly creative re-envision of Where the Wild Things Are. But Her doesn’t tread superfluous waters, it doesn’t try to be sly or tip-toe around things; it is unabashedly amorous.
For those unaware of the premise, it follows the life of soft-spoken Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) as he discovers love through a personalized computer operating system. Theodore writes love letters for a living, even though he himself is lovelorn. He is overwhelmed by melancholy over the imminent divorce of his wife and decides to sign up for a brand new achievement in computer technology: the OS1, a self-aware operating system designed for companionship. The story then evolves into something much more than a science-fiction romance story. The tale intertwines Theodore and Samantha (OS1) into a romance that creeps up on you with the tenacity of a serial killer.
One of the best things about the film is that it’s set in the future but the date is never specified. Everything about the setting makes sense; it’s not so much overtly dystopian as much as it is an accurate prediction. Scenes play out through the lens of a private life, much like in The Truman Show. This allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in the story because all excess dialogue and characters are cut out. Unlike most movies, Her doesn’t treat you like a needy five-year-old, but rather as an intellectually capable individual. By only showing what is necessary it allows you to make up the assumptions yourself, creating a more involved experience.
This also allows for the points the film makes about society to be more meaningful, without overly exaggerating the ideas to where it feels as though you are being beaten over the head with them. The meaning of the movie can go every which way you choose: life is short so do whatever it is that makes you happy, it is better to have loved than to have never loved at all, or the most relevant, modern society is too absorbed in technological devices.
Although there is a noticeable amount of people absorbed in their gadgets, the movie is smart enough so that not every shot incorporates someone on a phone. Her makes some fantastic statements about our disconnect with the others, while still maintaining the bounds of reality so as to not make it black and white. It presents a thought-provoking scenario that we as a society are dangerously close to. For a community that relies on technology as a main means of communications, why can’t it go further? Why can’t the basic human necessities of emotional contact be fulfilled by technology as well? It’s an easier route that fulfills all the needs of being loved and loving without any of the repercussions. But what are the new dangers and emotional turmoils that would come along with that? Her answers all of that and more.
However, the movie is not purely a social commentary; it is also an extremely well-executed, touching love story. It is a movie that is very relatable, especially to anyone who finds maintaining relationships a struggle. It reminds people of just how impossible it can be at times to connect with others, or even worse, how impossible it can be to trust others. The film presents a universal struggle that almost ensures that the film is a prediction of impending reality. The film aims to make you feel a variety of emotions, a goal that it definitely accomplishes. A lot of attention and time was spent making this movie meaningful, and this is a story that will long occupy my thoughts. It may very well be the best movie that 2013 had to offer.
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