“HER” ****
There are things in life we can’t live without such as food, water and love. And modern society has invented one more aspect of ‘necessity’, the dependence on technology. He’s completely enthusiastic about his new relationship, there’s sparkle in his eyes, he’s amused and exhilarating as a child discovering the joys of life, he’s taken by love. Or maybe he’s taken by fear of solitude and the natural need of love in the circle of life. At least that’s what his former wife notices on him, and devastated to learn his lover is a computer program, she feels really sorry for him.
Technology has been creating a new generation where its resources are used to make modern society rely on it, helping in many ways. But there’s something strange also, when you realize technology became humanity’s strongest and most useful ally, kind of an inseparable best friend which many would be lost without it and it’s visible that society is moving forward to an era lacking real relationships, where social communications and interactions are developed through the device.
Many films have examined this subject, pointing to its benefits and dangers throughout the year, and Spike Jonze’s dark comedy gives the audience the opportunity to experience the highs and lows of this interaction between man and machine, seducing with impressive originality, making fun of the situation and sometimes looking at it with incredible fragility, and also opening space for an individual decision, rising different points of view, either a tragic satire of modern behavior or a Techno-Love-Story. The visual is astonishing, the futuristic design illuminates the narrative as it follows our lonely hero, Theodore, a man who works writing letters for much busier people, when he finds an opportunity of the ideal love with a computer program that creates the perfect partner, capable of organizing everything and understanding his personality and instincts. Jonze creates this allegory with a good balance, discussing the insecurity causing the lack of courage to connect to people face to face, pointing the need to rescue the essential value of romanticism and compassion, but also not giving up on the idea that technology makes (almost) everything possible.
His wife’s feeling of pity, played by Rooney Mara is the main characteristic in the film, while Joaquin Phoenix gives an extraordinary, heartbreaking and moving performance in perfect harmony with aspects of joy, madness, hopelessness and loneliness. Despite I’ve got the impression he’s an actor who doesn’t really like to talk to journalists, he’s undoubtedly a fantastic performer who embodies powerfully whatever he’s assigned to. And here is no different. It’s easy to identify and fall for his Theodore, conquering the audience’s affection, and getting the recognition as one of the memorable performers of 2013. In the end, there’s a message over the consciousness, trying to reconcile people, bringing everyone together, and making us analyze how far we’re going with our modern habits and dependence on technology. Funny, sad and touching it’s a Must-See! Now, wait a minute…let me check the latest update.
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