Verdict:
The trouble with Her is the believability of the premise. This film is about a man starting a relationship with an AI lady, but it’s just Scarlett Johansson talking to Joaquin Phoenix off-screen. The creators do nothing to establish Johansson’s character as a believable AI.
In 2001 A Space Odyssey, the artificial mind by the name of HAL was believable. For the era of interstellar travel HAL’s vocal expression and capabilities seemed appropriate. His calm delivery made him sound like an advanced AI. On top of that, you saw the damn thing, the computer. However, in Her we are clearly presented with a not-too-distant future and we are supposed to believe that in that not-too-distant future the OS of your computer behaves in a manner that is indistinguishable from that of a human. Certain scenes of interaction between the AI and the main character just outright made me laugh because of how ridiculous they were. It’s just Scarlett Johansson talking to Joaquin Phoenix. This is so lazy.
I know that this complaint is not relevant to the general message and themes explored in this movie, but it is still too central to the plot to ignore.
On the bright side, the movie is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen. It has this light and bright style that makes you want to breath it in like fresh air. The camera often uses narrow depth of field with a gorgeous bokeh effect in the background. Lingering shots and a pleasant colour palette, which…unfortunately kept making me think that I was watching a commercial for a phone or a camera. I guess that says more about the style of those commercials than about this movie, but I thought I’d mention it.
In terms of the acting, this is very much a film of Joaquin Phoenix’s face (as the poster for it it tells you). There are a lot of up-close shots and the answer to whether Joaquin can carry an entire movie centred on his character from up-close is of course ‘yes’. This actor was made for emotional roles like this one and has proved himself in the past. The main character is a vulnerable creative type in the aftermath of a failed marriage. It’s hard to imagine a better fit for this role.
In terms of themes, this is primarily an introspective dialogue on the subject of love, human connection, optimism, expectations and trust, all to the tune of a leisurely melancholic soundtrack by Arcade Fire. However, the introspection is a little shallow and slow. You have to be in a mood for this complainy melancholic trance the movie puts you in.
I cannot praise this film as much as some critics did. You’d have to completely suspend your disbelief. Plus, the movie clocks at over 2 hours without much happening during that time. It is a loose deliberation on love and not much else. The cinematography is awesome though.