"Her" is the latest offering from director Spike Jonze, whose previous films include "Adaptation", and "Being John Malcovich". The movie is extremely hard to peg down or describe. It really doesn't fit comfortably into any one film genre. I have seen it described as a sci-fi /romantic comedy/drama and it succeeds on all levels. As such, I am finding this to be one of the most difficult reviews I've ever written.
Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly, a man who is going through a rough patch.
His impending divorce from his childhood sweetheart isn't something he is ready to accept. Theodore exists in a time and place that is not too far off in the future making "Her" very compelling. It doesn't take a futurist to see that many of these technologies, while not available currently, are just over the horizon.
One new technology is a personal Operating System (OS) with Artificial Intelligence. The user loads the system into their computer to get started. Once the OS is uploaded the user chooses their settings and viola! you have a virtual friend. The user wears an earpiece so the computer can speak directly to the user with a human voice. The user has a mobile camera unit that allows the OS to "see" the surroundings. Of course each OS has it's own gender based speaking voice and can fully interact with the user. Having conversations, telling jokes, composing music are just some of the functions an OS can perform. At first the concept seems a little far fetched and really not that believable. But as the story unfolds, I really began to buy into the possibility that this could be reality someday soon. The more a person interacts with their OS the more it learns and evolves. Just like a human mind and psyche.
Theodore is asked if he wants a male or female OS. He chooses a woman and upon initial boot up he hears her voice for the first time.(Scarlett Johansson) Is it really a her or is this just a very advanced computer program? He asks the OS her name and she answers "Samantha". Thus begins a relationship between Theodore and Samantha. Friends at first and later something much more.
One statement I think the film is trying to make, or show, is how technology effects human interaction and relations. That social media, and texts, and cell phones widen the gap between people and prevent them from face to face interaction. I found myself asking myself deep questions. What is an emotion? Are they biologically connected to the function of the mind and brain or something more? Could a person really feel some sort of fulfillment interacting with an OS? Are people really ready to let technology fill in the gaps between solitude and lonliness?
"Her" is a movie that had me literally laughing out loud, clapping during different plot twists, all while providing me with a sense of wonderment. I would call that hitting the cinematic trifecta. "Her" is not like anything I have ever seen. If you like unique, off beat, funny, thought provoking movies I highly recommend this film.
"Her" would probably be good for a date.
I give this movie a grade of: A
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The latest film from director Peter Berg is "Lone Survivor", a true tale based on the book of the same name. This film is an all too realistic and up close look at war and the ultimate sacrifices paid by many. As such, it is a gut wrenching roller coaster ride from which there is no escape. In the opening credits actual footage of Navy Seal recruits going through basic training is shown. In a voice over, the title character Marcus Luttrel (Mark Wahlberg), describes what is happening, and why these men subject themselves beyond the breaking point. Unfortunately for me, Wahlberg comes from the mumbling school of acting. I found myself straining to understand what he was saying. I do have some hearing loss so that doesn't help.(other mumblers include Brando, DeNiro, and Duvall)
The story is the recounting of an ill fated mission in Afghanistan, undertaken by four Navy Seals, called Operation Red Wings. The goal is to capture or kill a notorious Taliban leader; Armad Shah. As a "war" movie there are a lot of scenes that seem familiar; and why not? The "war movie" genre has been a staple since WWI. (The Big Parade 1926, All Quiet on the Western Front 1930). Usually about half the running time is spent developing the characters. For a film to have a true impact it is necessary for viewers to care about at least one of the characters. Unfortunately scant time is spent on developing the characters of "Lone Survivor". Not to say that I didn't care about our boys in uniform. I just think that my emotions could have been heightened with the proper set up. The more people you care about in a movie the more visceral your reaction to the film. Make no mistake, "Lone Survivor" is as visceral a film as you will ever want to see. Once they come under attack "Lone Survivor" is as unrelenting and dire as any movie ever made. The violence is sickening but the part that is really disgusting is that it is very real. Unlike the cartoonish violence of say a Tarrentino film, all the action in this film is depicted as accurately as possible. The director used autopsy records and incident reports from the Seals, as well as hiring Luttrel for technical advice to insure accuracy. The result is the most accurate and realistic warfare scenes since the storming of Normandy in "Saving Private Ryan".
I did not realize it but Afghanistan has terrain which looks very similar to the North Cascades of Washington State. It is on wooded mountain slopes and over cliffs that the fight takes place. This really ratchets up the tension level. The sound editing and stunts are pretty incredible. You feel as though you are crawling through the underbrush with limited visibility. Suddenly you hear twigs break, branches crackle, and bullets whizzing by your head. The action happens so fast it barely gives one time to think. Only watch and experience. Like "Saving Private Ryan" or "Schindler's List" there is some difficult viewing here. Still it is worth watching and I would even say necessary. Only when we all see the horrors of war can we truly appreciate our service men and women. And hopefully motivate the powers that be to avoid war at all costs.
This is probably not a good date movie.
I give this film a grade of: B+
