In his latest film, Her, Spike Jonze invites his viewer into a pastel-colored future that will daze them in reflection for weeks following. Set in the near future, the film opens on Theodore Twombly (Joaquín Phoenix) working at BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com, a ghostwriting service for the romantic and lazy. As he leaves work, he speaks a voice command to his phone, “Play melancholy song.”
He walks out onto the streets of a bustling Los Angeles, making his way back to his apartment. He is in a slump – lost in daydreamed memories of his estranged wife who is seeking a divorce from him. The world Theodore travels through is not unlike our own. Those around him tinker with gadgets on the train, exploring their own unique and pixelated realities.
The world painted by Jonze is believable because it reflects the world of today. It does not indulge in science fiction tropes of latex jumpsuits and flying cars. It seems a very accurate prediction of the world we will soon inhabit. The devices that make our lives wonderfully convenient today have become staples in Theodore’s time.
The film ignores the limits of its genre. It does not show the viewer a future for the sake of its own self-indulgence. Rather, it uses the vantage point to weave a human love story. At the same time, it examines issues of human connection without seeming preachy or superior.
After seeing an advertisement for an artificial intelligence, OS1, in a subway terminal, Theodore picks up a copy for himself. Alone in his apartment that night, he activates his purchase. After a few basic questions and a loading screen, it springs to life with a cheerful, “Hello? I’m here.”
“Hi?”, Theodore responds.
Awkward at first, their stilted introduction eases into laughter. The OS identifies itself as female. Theodore asks for her name. She comes up with one on the spot, “Samantha”.
The role of Samantha is played by an unseen Scarlett Johansson. Imbued with programmed personality, she helps Theodore through his trepidations about the world. Together, they grow. As they become fonder and fonder of each other they begin to form a relationship that will change the both of them by the end of the film.
This relationship is beautifully scored by a collaboration between Arcade Fire and Karen O, orchestrated by Owen Pallett. The soundtrack mixes melancholy acoustic instruments with humming electronic sounds. It fits unobtrusively into the story, adding to it in subtle ways. When Samantha composes music to express her deeper feelings, her compositions grow more varied and detailed as she grows in intelligence and complexity.
As a viewer, Jonze’s future will challenge your view of what a relationship truly is. Thematically, the film is a love story. Soft music and bloom seep smoothly into the narrative. These are balanced by a story that shows a deep relationship with flaws and imperfections. It poses a question to the viewer. Why do we indulge ourselves in connecting to others?
Is it so we can lay our burdens on another and take theirs in return?
Is it so we can experience the edges of our human limits in both serenity and frustration?
Is it so that we can learn something new about ourselves?