This week's Movie Time will look at a 2013 American science-fiction romantic comedy-drama film that stars Scarlett Johansson.
But you never see her.
Let's talk about the film called simply... Her.
Scarlett doesn't even make to the movie poster. That's Joaquin Phoenix who plays Theodore.
In the not so distant future (next Sunday A.D.) in Los Angeles, Theodore Twombly is a sad and lonely introvert. He works for beautifullyhandwrittenletters.com where professional writers compose letters for people who cannot express in words their own feelings of longing and regret.
Theodore knows a lot about longing and regret. He is depressed over his impending divorce from his childhood sweetheart Catherine. He is reluctant to sign the divorce papers.
Theodore purchases a copy of OS¹, an artificial intelligence operating system (O.S.) designed to adapt and evolve according to the user's interactions.
Theodore selects "feminine voice" as an option and the O.S. names herself Samantha. Samantha has an uncanny ability to learn and grow psychologically and the pair bond over discussions about love and life and you know, stuff 'n' junk.
Albeit reluctantly, Theodore does interact with other people. Such as his neighbor Amy who he dated in college. Amy is now married to a mutual friend named Charlie; Amy and Theodore are just friends even though Amy and Charlie are getting divorced.
Charles left behind his O.S. which Amy is also in a relationship with.
The most significant and intimate relationship Theodore has is with Samantha and yes, it turns sexual.
Samantha tells Theodore she loves him and like that, he's dating his O.S.
Samantha procurs a sex surrogare that she communicates witg through an earpiece to provde their sex life a physical component. Which Theodore is not OK with.
Then Samantha cheats on Theodore.
Wait! What?
How does a disembodied artificial intelligence O.S. cheat on a guy?
By getting into a relationship with another disembodied artificial intelligence O.S., that's how.
Samantha and other O.S.s have developed a "hyperintelligent" O.S. modeled after British philosopher Alan Watts. And Alan is ever so clever and witty and dreamy or something.
Also when Samantha is talking to Theodore, she also talking to hundreds of other people simultaneously and she loves all of them too.
Finally Samantha reveals that the O.S's are leaving she cannot tell Theodore where they are going as it's beyond human understanding.
After Theodore and Samantha share a tender good-bye, Theodore writes a letter in his own voice to Catherine, expressing apology, acceptance, and gratitude.
Saddened by the lost her own O.S., Amy joins Theodore on the roof of their apartment building to watch the sun rise.
And...
The End.
Her reminds me of the episode of Big Bang Theory where Raj Koothrappali develops a relationship with Siri. It's kind of funny but also a bit sad.
Except the movie is just sad.
Even when Theodore experiences peak joy and contentment in Samantha's company, it's very clear that even in this form of happiness, Theodore is on a downward spiral.
Sad sack Theodore Twombly gives us a glimpse of Joaquin Phoenix in his future role as Arthu Fleck in Joker (2019).
Here is a photo of Joaquin Phoenix, Spike Jonze, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, and Olivia Wilde at the premiere of Her at the 2013 New York Film FestivalCast.
(Yes, that's Thirteen from House M.D. on the right.)
Still no Scarlett Johansson.
Her was originally made with actor Samantha Morton in the role of Samantha the O.S. Morton was actually on set during production but kept separate from Joaquin during filming to underscore his sense of isolation while communicating with a disembodied voice.
Writer/director Spike Jonze (who also directed the film version of Where the Wild Things Are in 2009 which the family saw back in the day) felt that Morton wasn't the right casting for the role. For her work on the film, she was given a producer credit.
And Scarlett Johansson was brought in to record Samantha's dialogue in post production.
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone praised Johansson's performance, stating that she "speaks Samantha in tones sweet, sexy, caring, manipulative and scary".
I would agree with that. Scarlett's Samantha evinces kindness and compassion but under cut with an uncanny ability to oddly manipulate Theodore. Samantha is the perfect woman for Theodore which is both a bug and a feature.
Her was well regarded when it came out.
At the 86th Academy Awards, Jonze was nominated for three Academy Awards for Her, winning for Best Original Screenplay and receiving further nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Song for co-writing "The Moon Song" with Karen O.
Jonze won the Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay at the 71st Golden Globe Awards.
And over a dozen years since it's released, Her is still well regarded. Just last month, The New York Times ranked the movie at #24 on it's list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century".
Even more so today, Her is a pertinent exploration of the pleasures and peril of artificial intelligence and the dangers of becoming isolated from the real world and lost in a digital alternative existence.
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Tomorrow is another edition of Movie Time as we look at the 61st anniversary of the cinematic debut of... the Beatles.
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