Most people know “Her” as “that movie where Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with his computer,” and it may technically be that, but it’s also a terrific movie that has more to say about relationships in general than just an obscure, slightly-sci-fi angle.
What Works: Roonie Mara gets the most out of her brittle beauty as Phoenix’s ex, Olivia Wilde reveals the inner sadness of a “fun” girl as a date he goes on, and Amy Adams is sweetly sympathetic as his female friend. Still, this is really a two “person” movie, and both performances deliver entirely. Even though we never see Scarlett Johansson, her voice (as the operating system Phoenix falls for) ages from excited ingenue to saddened beauty. And Phoenix is even better, playing his most relatable, vulnerable, and shockingly romantic character since Walk the Line. Phoenix has been mesmerizing as psychotics, but here he’s playing something much harder: a regular guy struggling with the very regular problem of sustaining a relationship…first with a woman, and then with something closer to a deity.
The great thing about “Her” is that (unlike the clunky yet obscure symbolism of a recent Coen Brothers movie) it could be a metaphor for so many things. I honestly saw it as a guy dating a “younger woman” as Scarlett’s Samantha goes from being brand new and excited by the world to rapidly outgrowing someone who eventually seemed so wise. Either way, anyone can see something valuable about human relationships between the lines of this movie.
What Doesn’t: Is the film for everyone? No. I loved it, but the fact that I’m struggling so hard to find flaws means that others will surely hate it. Anything this specific, original, twisty, and daring will alienate as many as it wins over.
What I Would Have Done Differently: I hope you enjoy the movie.
Good one now I am actually adding this movie to the list. Thanks.