Faiz D
Wonderful though a bit weird (Charlie Kaufman weird). The acting, especially by Joaquim Phoenix, is great, the audio/visual style is great, some moments got me more than others, but all in all this is a solid and worthy effort in my opinion.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
05/13/25
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M B
A beautiful movie. One could say now, that it was ahead of its time. The world it builds in 2013 could easily come to pass in a decade from now. The cast, the story, the screenplay and the music all come together to deliver an experience which leaves you to self reflect!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
04/28/25
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Blu B
All Time Classic. Technology & Romance is the themes explored here in a very sophisticated style. It reminds me of a Hal Ashby style flick or Lost in Translation because the whole thing just evolves into a complete vibe. Phoenix & Johannson are amazing. Acting against nothing is one thing but S.J. has to make you believe the A.I. system is real, not creepy, and in love with Phoenix without ever having any visual representation. Relying just on her emotions. It's a remarkable acheivement how she is able to do that. Phoenix's job isn't any easier honestly because while his character is very basic background wise, the themes and feelings he explores and feels are very complex and foreign. Yet he conveys them in relatable ways often reflecting how we feel perfectly. The performances of the two are just amazing honestly. Everyone else is really good too especially Adams. This would be soooo easy to turn into a bad Adam Sandler comedy idea or become very creepy like a John Carpenter Horror movie. But it's treated so sensitive and respectfully. The direction is excellent. Tons of lush color, deep focus, and it just knows when to do close ups of the emotions of the amazing acting. The Sci-fi setting is very mute. It looks barely futuristic beyond modern day 2010's. But it's a brilliant choice because it allows us to focus not on the bells and whistles or be distracted by all the tech but focus on the ideas and characters romance. This weaves comedy, romance, and Sci-Fi together masterfully so much so it's hard to tell the differecne at times. The music is really good too but I wish it was a bit more catchy and is probably the weakest thing. PErfectly paced film as well. A slow burn the entire way so the ideas can be fully explored. Surrogates for A.I.'s, cheating, maturity of relationships, real vs fake, human and not in terms of love, it's all touched on here extremely well and never feels bloated. Everyone should give this a try once.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
04/21/25
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Roberto T
This is a fantastic sci-fi drama. The only negatives really are the faking of a post-development "super Los Angeles" via the scenes of Shanghai (they should just had admitted it was Shanghai) and the lack of concreteness in the fantasies she explores in the latter phase of the movie. Otherwise deep, moving, and surprisingly so for a movie so inwardly focused.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/26/25
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Stephen L
"Her" (2013) presents an intriguing premise: a man falling in love with his AI assistant. However, the execution feels lackluster. Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Theodore is muted and detached, making it challenging to engage with his character. Scarlett Johansson's voice work as Samantha adds warmth, but it isn't enough to compensate for the film's overall sluggish pace. The reliance on telephone-like interactions highlights the artificiality of the connection, resulting in a narrative that feels more like a concept than a compelling story. While "Her" attempts to explore themes of love and technology, it ultimately falls short of delivering a profound cinematic experience.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
03/15/25
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Luis I
This is an almost flawless film, I honestly struggle to find anything negative to say about it. There’s so much to praise that it’s hard to know where to begin. Oddly enough, I’ll start with production design and wardrobe, which craft a futuristic yet familiar and realistic world. Every detail feels intentional, with a stylish and symbolic use of colors: reds, oranges, and pinks, woven into the fabric of the film. The warm, soft muted pastels not only enhance the visual aesthetic but also reflect the melancholic atmosphere in which the characters exist. The cinematography is stunning, relying heavily on long lenses to create a sense of distance between the protagonist and his environment. This choice allows us to focus on the evolution of his relationship and the inner conflicts that come with it.
The writing stands out for its originality, taking a profound, emotional, psychological, and introspective approach to its concept. The narrative structure is carefully designed to keep us engaged, particularly in how the AI character is written. Despite being artificial, she is given such humanity that we not only relate to her but also become invested in her journey; though we primarily experience it through Joaquin Phoenix’s character’s perspective. The dialogue is exceptional, elevating the film’s emotional depth. This is further amplified by Joaquin Phoenix’s nuanced and deeply felt performance, as well as Scarlett Johansson’s brilliant voice acting, which brings life and depth to a character who is never physically present.
The editing works seamlessly, piecing together a series of moments that flow naturally. While some might find the pacing slow, I believe it’s precisely the rhythm needed to fully immerse the audience in the experience. Sound design is subtle yet effective, and the music is not only beautiful but also plays an integral role both diegetically and non-diegetically.
All of this, of course, is masterfully shaped by Spike Jonze’s distinct creative vision. He has crafted one of cinema’s most unique films, from its innovative concept to its deeply artistic execution. Without a doubt, I highly recommend it.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
03/14/25
Full Review
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