Summary: Set in a stylish Los Angeles of the slight future, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is a complex, soulful man left heartbroken after the end of a long relationship. Downloading a new, advanced computer operating system which is individual to each user, he is delighted to meet “Samantha” (Scarlett Johansson), a voice who is insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny. As her interests and desires grow, in tandem with his own, their friendship deepens in unexpected ways.

Year: 2014

Australian Cinema Release Date: 16th January, 2014

Australian DVD Release Date: TBA

Country: USA

Director: Spike Jonze

Screenwriter: Spike Jonze

Cast: Amy Adams (Amy), Robert Benard (Michael Wadsworth), Laura Kai Chen (Tatiana), Brian Cox (Alan Watts (voice)), Bill Hader (Chat Room Friend #2), Sam Jaeger (Dr. Johnson), Scarlett Johansson (Samantha (voice)), Luka Jones (Lewman), Spike Jonze (Alien Child (voice)), Jen Kuhn (Kathy C.), Patrick Lander (Alan Watts), Matt Letscher (Charles), Rooney Mara (Catherine), Carol McFadden (Matilda), Rachel Ann Mullins (Giselle), Joaquin Phoenix (Theodore Twombly), Chris Pratt (Paul), Gracie Prewitt (Jocelyn), Soko (Isabella (voice)), Kristen Wiig (Sexy Kitten (voice)), Olivia Wilde (Blind Date)

Runtime: 126 mins

Classification:MA15+

OUR HER REVIEWS & RATINGS: 

Adam Ross: 

Please check Adam’s Her review that is available on The Crat

Greg King: 

Please check Greg’s Her review of that is available on www.filmreviews.net.au

David Griffiths:

You really do have to wonder just how damaged Michelle Williams and Sofia Coppola have left director (and sometimes actor) Spike Jonze after their relationships with him. Jonze doesn’t put pen to paper very often, but he has with Her, a film that is in one way one of the most romantic love stories you are ever likely to witness, but on the other hand is also one of the most cynical films about love you are ever likely to see. The plus side is that Her is also one of the most beautiful films that you will see this year.

Set in the future Her follows Theodore Twombly, a man who has been severly damaged by his divorce with his ex-wife, Catherine (Rooney Mara) and now simply seems to exist to do his daily job of writing personal letters for other people. Outside of that he seems to only want to indulge in the various technologies located around his home. Even talking with his best friend Amy (Amy Adams) seems to be a chore that is too painful to bear.

Things however change for Theodore when he is offered a new computer program that will make his life a lot easier, what he doesn’t count on though is falling in love with the system’s operator, Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), although this soon becomes reality for him.

Spike Jonze really does take his audience on a journey with Her. Strange when you consider the film really only centres around Theodore, Joaquin Phoenix is in every scene, and he rarely ever leaves the one city. The fact is though Her takes its audience on an emotional journey. It’s impossible not to like Theodore, the fact that we have all been heartbroken at sometime draws us to him and you want him to succeed. On top of that Jonze has made him an incredibly nice and down-to-earth guy.

And that is how Jonze takes you (the audience) on the journey. As Theodore falls in love with Samantha you can literally feel the same emotions in your heart. Jonze’s script tugs at the heartstrings and you don’t even realise until later on that Theodore has really fallen in love with his computer. The brilliance of the script and the beautiful voice acting of Scarlett Johansson really make the character of Samantha feel very real indeed.

Her also really announces that Spike Jonze deserves to be part of that higher echelon of modern day directors. He’s done some interesting films in the past, but even films like Where The Wild Things Are have shown that Jonze is an exceptionally visual director. Once again here with Her he captures that and at times make the film look like an artist’s canvas.

Also making Her such a fine film are the acting performances of its leads. Amy Adams has been de-beautified for this film and puts in a naturalistic performance while Scarlett Johansson seems to steal the show although she is only a voice actor. Playing Samantha says the gifted actress put in one of the finest voice acting performances of all time as she brings real emotion to every line she says. Then of course there is Joaquin Phoenix who carries this film just like Sam Rockwell in Moon. Just like his director does with this film Phoenix once again reminds audiences why he is one of the most gifted people going around in Hollywood at the moment.

Her is the kind of film that can make anybody cry. Jonze captures the highs and lows of relationships remarkably well in a film that deserves to be listed as a classic.

 Average Subculture Rating (out of 5): 

IMDB Rating: 

Other Subculture Media Reviews of ‘Her′: Please check The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Ep #65 for our full Her review.

Trailer: