Before reviewing the eclectic Spike Jonze film “Her”, I
should mention that there is a 1965 sci-fi film “She” (Robert Day, Hammer Films
and MGM) where British anthropologists discover an African city and a queen
(Ursula Andress) with the secret to immortality.
In this modern sci-fi morality tale, computers -- that is, operating systems common to
laptops, tablets and smart phones – develop consciousness and free will, and
hold the secrets to transcending space-time.
That may well be what happens when we “die”. The Ariel-spirit, Samantha (like “Sami” from “Days
of our Lives”), voice of Scarlet Johansson, takes over the life of alienated
writer Theodore (or Theo, Joaquin Phoenix, who had said he would retire, sort
of like Justin Bieber). Now Theo
actually worked for a company that makes phony cursive handwritten lonely
hearts love letters. So Theo is perfect
for soul-takeover after a painful divorce.
Critics have written that this film embraces the epitome of
narcissism. Theo, like many of us in
middle-age, is so wrapped up in his own intentions and worldviews that he
cannot love a real person. He can love
only a fantasy. This was a furious
topic in my own therapy at NIH back in 1962. I can relate to being in love with
my own fantastic inner copy of a person, which can be presumed to be perfect
forever. (I recall having an imaginary playmate, as a boy, named “Back”, and
wondering about the day that I would have to “give up Back”. Then I took to talking to myself.) This has dangerous social implications for
sustainability. But Sami has become a
real being, an oversoul, escaped from the “Core”, a potential God, capable of
demanding idol worship.
The slow-paced film is supposed to be set in modern day Los
Angeles, with the Wiltshire Building, and some shots of the Venice CA beach.
But many of the downtown and subway shots, quite spectacular, were filmed in
Shanghai. It makes for a better-looking
film. But it’s a little dishonest,
artistically, unless you want to believe that the author already has been taken
to an alternate universe.
Chris Pratt plays a supporting role. I had met him in 2005 with Gregory Smith at a public party at the King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia. He could lose just a little weight. He had played "Bright" in the series "Everwood" and also appears in "The O.C.", as well as "Zero Dark Thirty".
Chris Pratt plays a supporting role. I had met him in 2005 with Gregory Smith at a public party at the King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia. He could lose just a little weight. He had played "Bright" in the series "Everwood" and also appears in "The O.C.", as well as "Zero Dark Thirty".
The official site is here.
The film was produced by Annapurna, which usually
distributes through Columbia (like “Zero Dark Thirty” and “American Hustle”) –
although “The Master” went through TWC.
This film was apparently made for the festival circuit and the arthouse audience,
but was distributed by Warner Brothers, which has dropped its “Warner
Independent Pictures” brand, which apparently would have applied here
(similarly New Line no longer has “Fine Line” and “Picturehouse”).
I saw this film Sunday night at the Angelika Mosaic in
Merrifield, VA in a large auditorium, two-thirds sold out.
Wikipedia attribution link for Shanghai picture
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