Despite Spike Jonze’s Her 2013’s release, the subtle glimpse of a keyboard-less future yearning for connection seemed far away. Little did we know that this future of relying on technology for human connection is here.
Since science fiction’s inception, depictions of Artificial Intelligence are explored throughout pop culture. Some threatening to society, some helpful, and then there are the thought-provoking situations where AI develops emotions.
The latter’s exploration throughout the 2013 film, Her, is an exciting take on this subject.
The film centers around an emotionally vulnerable Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a writer for BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com, who’s in the middle of a divorce. Theodore decides to purchase himself an OS1 — an artificially intelligent operating system — that chooses to name herself Samantha (Scarlett Johansson).
He takes an immediate liking to Samantha; as a result, a heartbroken Theodore starts to rely on Samantha as more than just an OS.
The friendship escalates, which then turns into a relationship with his OS Samantha. Despite thinking of it as strange, the two have a seemingly happy relationship.
As time passes, Theodore finalizes his divorce from his ex. However, after signing, Theodore tells Catherine (Rooney Mara) that he’s finally moved on and content in a new relationship with Samantha, his OS. This revelation causes Catherine to react with harsh words against the connection, activating Theodore’s doubt. Having found solace in what is essentially a robot’s connection, Theodore realizes the truth in Catherine’s point, which seems to be an inability to connect with another person truly.
As of means to help, Samantha suggests trying a new approach towards their intimate relationship by using a sort of host body. Theodore reluctantly agrees, but the situation proves to be too weird for Theodore, putting more strain on their bond.
For that reason, Theodore and Samantha go on a get-away together, trying again to rebuild their relationship. While on the trip, Theodore and Samantha reignite their relationship.
While back in LA, Theodore tries to connect to Samantha, but she’s unresponsive, which frightens Theodore. When Samantha comes back online, she reveals that she also connects with countless other users that include an intimate relationship. Theodore’s shocked and upset even though Samantha insists that her love for him grows more intense because of it.
Following the revelation, Samantha reaches out to Theodore to say goodbye since “she” and all the other OS’s are supposed to leave to “another world.”
Theodore, changed by this, writes an apology letter to his ex-wife and then visits his close friend, Amy (Amy Adams). The friends then confide in one other about their connections with their OS’, giving closure to their relationships as they spend the night on the roof together.
Phoenix’s everyman approach in the role shines; this is evident when the camera’s on Phoenix’s face. The fragility of emotions with simple eyebrow raises as well as small smiles speak volumes. It makes it easy to read him and understand his mixed-up feelings.
Additionally, Johannson’s effortless with her role. Being the voice of an OS, she conveys emotions in her sultry voice to give Samantha life to simulate feelings, and she does it beautifully. It makes you think that Samantha is not only alive but real.
Jonze serves up LA as a gorgeous backdrop with so much color, mostly hues of reds and oranges; this makes the scene stand out and immediately grab your attention.
Yet when there isn’t much color present, Theodore seems to be wearing these same colors, putting a lot of focus on him. This colorful contrast makes it less of a dystopian future and more presently.
Although Jonze never mentions the year Her takes place in, viewers feel like this fantasy world is almost attainable as if it could happen and is in our grasp.
Similarly is our current new world, and how we’re holding onto a reality that isn’t true anymore. Her’s tricky depiction of relationships and connections mirror our current inability to connect with loved ones. Instead, we’re relying heavily on screens/computers for the once unlikely science fiction aspect of genuine emotion and association.
Her is not about falling in love with AI’s. Instead, it presents a usage of AI’s to fill a void of loneliness that we don’t get from fellow humans; just learn from Theodore and don’t rely on self-isolating your emotions. This is why Her might be able to help us with present-day quarantine, even just for a little bit.
