Theodore and the Modern Man: Spike Jonze's 'Her'

Spike Jonze’s Her may just be the year’s most relevant movie yet.

The reasons?

I can’t recall a recent movie that has managed to portray life in the 21^st-century and its trademark loneliness so accurately.

Jonze has created a futuristic city that’s very much like every metropolis in the world today: gorgeous skyscrapers, heaving crowds, superior technological advancement. Every individual is connected to the digital heart of the city, and lives are lived not out in the open, but in between the electric pulses of an invisible world. In the ether there are Operating Systems that talk to lonely human beings who seek companionship.

Theodore (a disarming Joaquin Phoenix), an isolated writer, buys an OS which sounds suspiciously like Scarlett Johansson, and in time falls in love with her. She calls herself Samantha, has desires and hopes just like a woman of flesh and bone. For Theodore the line between reality and virtual reality is quickly and irreversibly blurred. The viewer runs into the ethical heart of the matter: is a digital presence capable of love, the most fundamental of human emotions? Jonze is a romantic; the answer is plain to see. Theodore learns to appreciate the minutiae of life (art, music, nature, time) when he sees things through Samantha’s eyes.

Theodore is the heart and soul of the movie (even though Samantha’s voice haunts the viewer long after the credits have rolled). He’s every modern urban man who longs to connect with others but repeatedly fails. He’s the awkward, sensitive nerd who can only love when love is doubly returned. He’s a dreamer whose dreams are once too often dashed to pieces by the reality of living. Phoenix’s portrayal of him is heartbreakingly real. His loneliness is palpable from the very first frame, and we can’t help but wish we’d reach into the screen and give him a big, solid hug.

Her may appear light-footed on first viewing, but look deeper and you’ll see the philosophical conundrums it exposes about the human condition in the 21^st century. The more hyper-connected we are, the lonelier we become. Our perception of reality, too, has altered. The real has become less desirable, while the virtual has become indispensable. Interestingly, Jonze doesn’t make any judgements. The artist is more interested in evoking that sense of loneliness through soft, summery lighting, with the help of a sublime Arcade Fire-supplied soundtrack, resulting in a daydream that moves your intellect and emotions simultaneously. A rare and precious achievement in today's cinema. 

Director: Spike Jonze

Writer: Spike Jonze

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson