Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Her - Page 3

7

ClariseSamuelsJun 3, 2014

This movie really has to be rated on two levels—a philosophical level and a purely cinematic level. For philosophy, it gets a 10 and for cinematic achievement it gets a 5, which averages out to 7.5. Director Spike Jonze raises questions thatThis movie really has to be rated on two levels—a philosophical level and a purely cinematic level. For philosophy, it gets a 10 and for cinematic achievement it gets a 5, which averages out to 7.5. Director Spike Jonze raises questions that AI experts and philosophers have been arguing about since the invention of the Turing test in 1950. In this film Theodore Twombly, played by Joaquin Phoenix, comes across a new AI operating system called OS1, not to be confused with IBM's now discontinued OS/2 released in 1987. When Theodore signs on, he starts an interview where he is asked if he wants a female voice or male voice. He is also asked to describe his relationship with his mother. After being cut off in the middle of his reply, his very own, supposedly customized operating system comes to life in the form of Samantha, the voice of Scarlett Johansson.

Samantha sorts his email and does other computerlike tasks, but her engaging personality is such that she can also talk to him about his problems, accompany him when he walks out the door (as long as he keeps his handheld computer with the photographic eye in his shirt pocket), and finally fall in love. Can a person fall in love with a computer operating system? Philosophically exploring this question is a great thesis, but it makes for a slow-moving film. The kind of man who would resort to this kind of romance, which includes two cybersex scenes that are positively uninviting, has to be a desperado. And Theodore is most definitely an antisocial nerd who has turned inwardly to such an extreme that he is pathetically deluded. He has a few coworkers he talks to, he has two friends in his building, and he has an ex-wife that is presented as the main reason he has receded into such a high level of self-stimulation. His full-time Internet-based job is to write letters for any occasion (BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com), and then he comes home and plays with 3-D video games. Such is his rather circumscribed life until he signs on to OS1 and meets Samantha. Phoenix does a good job of portraying the kind of antisocial behavior that is required for this lifestyle; but the characterization goes overboard, and Theodore elicits little sympathy from the viewer. He is too strange, too reclusive, and too disconsolate.

After a while, the viewer starts to wonder where the film is going with this theme. The only tension to keep the plot moving is the question of how will Theodore resolve his delusional romance with an operating system. The film raises philosophical questions about the true nature of romantic love. Is everyone who falls in love deluded to some extent? Are we talking to the Other when we are in love, or are we talking to the illusion that we have created in our minds? And if a computer can simulate that illusion, then what is this emotional and psychological process really based upon? Phoenix's greatest scenes are when he is walking around with a goofy smile and a strange shimmer in his eyes because he is a man in love. But that biochemical/sociopsychological state has been induced by an entity that is basically a figment of his imagination, a computer program that acts like a human. The question of what is this thing called love takes on new dimensions.

With respect to cinematic matters, the movie swerves into Theodore's banal and tepid friendship with a neighbor (Amy Adams), who like him, finds herself traumatically divorced. Flashbacks to his ex-wife (Rooney Mara) become overly repetitive, and the sterile world of the near future is constantly referencing a society that we already see on the streets—people walking around in public seemingly talking to themselves out loud, but they are really plugged in to their cell phones. The director noted in an interview that in order to provide contrast for the very blue skies, they introduced red into the landscape. This red color comes out as bright orange on the DVD version. It appears everywhere—Theodore's shirts, his interior décor, sheets and pillows, buildings, and even industrial trailers in the background are all a day-glow orange. One wonders what the symbolic significance of orange might be only to find out that it was all supposed to be red. Red has symbolic significance; orange does not. The streets of the futuristic city are in fact Shanghai. The mist in the background is not a theatrical element; it is merely the air pollution and smog that are poisoning the city in real life.

In the end, Her has to tackle the problem of how to resolve a romantic relationship with a computer. We eventually reach a resolution in the final scenes, although it is not a logical or satisfactory conclusion. Theodore has presumably been changed by the experience although no radical change is evident, and the vague, open ending leaves more questions than it answers.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

All this user's reviews

7

EludiumQ36Aug 30, 2014

This is a confounding film to rate but I'm rating on the positive side for the overall feeling I have through it and its end. My biggest problem is with its technical plausibility. Theodore acquires a retail version of newly introducedThis is a confounding film to rate but I'm rating on the positive side for the overall feeling I have through it and its end. My biggest problem is with its technical plausibility. Theodore acquires a retail version of newly introduced (meaning v1.0) OS1, an artificially intelligent computer operating system. Fine so far. However, the film's depiction of OS1 is super-hyper-idealized, it's flawless, something that shouldn't be attainable until like version 50 and then only after dozens of premium add-ons and upgrades. But if the director wants to go this way then that's his prerogative, but plausibility is important and can't be magically waved off. As Theodore's relationship with "Samantha" evolves you can see scene by scene that they touch upon the highs and lows of normal, human relationships. It has an episodic series feel to it, like a short-run tv show that Netflix or Hulu would do. If you "get into" the movie then you may need tissues at the end, but again you have to shut off the "what the @#$?" side of your brain because how can a retail version of an operating system evolve to do what Samantha does at the end?! There's all manner of warranty and lawsuit claims that come from that. Again, setting all that aside, it was interesting and touching, not a waste of time, but I'd like to see a story with a more realistic, flawed AI operating system (and that request was answered by the release of Ex Machina (2015)).… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

csw12Jan 9, 2014

Despite being a little long and slow at times, Her succeeds because of its hushed beauty and the deliberate ordinariness of its story. The key to the movie is Scarlett Johansson, who does a fantastic job at giving this invisible presence aDespite being a little long and slow at times, Her succeeds because of its hushed beauty and the deliberate ordinariness of its story. The key to the movie is Scarlett Johansson, who does a fantastic job at giving this invisible presence a palpable form.… Expand

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

All this user's reviews

7

SoujiropMar 5, 2014

The concept of a "humanized" AI is not as credible as in other media, nor is the romance between the protagonist and the AI. Still original and quite unique, but even with its rareness, it somehow fails to impress.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

gerbils99Feb 19, 2014

It's a very well thought out and executed concept but the dialogue and characters... imagine a depressed Tumblr hipster has a good day then decides to write an essay about it. Saying how their past is 'no longer part of me' and 'I'm notIt's a very well thought out and executed concept but the dialogue and characters... imagine a depressed Tumblr hipster has a good day then decides to write an essay about it. Saying how their past is 'no longer part of me' and 'I'm not perfect, but every dark cloud has a silver lining'. The main character even plays a ukulele. Cringe worthy.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

analogkid280Feb 9, 2014

Welcome to some very clever ideas. All dialogue with the lead actor in every scene. Kinda makes you wonder what would happen if Microsoft got into the porn business in 2024. Scarlett Johanson (or however you spell her name) is the most sexyWelcome to some very clever ideas. All dialogue with the lead actor in every scene. Kinda makes you wonder what would happen if Microsoft got into the porn business in 2024. Scarlett Johanson (or however you spell her name) is the most sexy actress on the planet. We did not even get to see her face in this movie and she had me scratching the inside of my pants leg though half of this film just with her voice. Somewhat strange for the strangers sitting to the left of me but they made it though the movie alright.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

7

mijxeroJun 7, 2018

I think Her was overall a very good movie. The acting was top notch and this movie would have fallen flat otherwise. I think that it looked into some new topics about how an AI's greater intelligence could become a burden when trying toI think Her was overall a very good movie. The acting was top notch and this movie would have fallen flat otherwise. I think that it looked into some new topics about how an AI's greater intelligence could become a burden when trying to emulate humans. Some parts of the later chapters kept me from giving it a higher score. The movie took its time creating these characters and fleshing out the world that ending just came too abruptly. I commend the movie for taking a more logical ending as opposed to some fairy-tale conclusion. It just felt like it was missing something, but maybe that was the whole point.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

StevieB212Dec 28, 2013

A pretty film (Spring color palette), well directed, well acted, and a contemporary topic to think about, but ultimately left me flat, almost like video games or chat rooms with avatars instead of real life challenges and relationships.A pretty film (Spring color palette), well directed, well acted, and a contemporary topic to think about, but ultimately left me flat, almost like video games or chat rooms with avatars instead of real life challenges and relationships. Spike Jonze does a great job directing, using extreme closeups, many of Joaquin Phoenix's face, and shots of images to show past memories. Phoenix using his talents well: he's likeable, and even geeky enough, but not too much. Scarlett Johansson should get a special Oscar for her voice part. We seem to have needed a film about artificial consciousness, which calls to mind Frankenstein, but I still had a need for the protagonists to be changed in the course of the narrative, for me that didn't and that's where the film fails.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

7

RallandolloJan 19, 2014

My expectations to this movie were rather big, but I can't help saying I'm a bit disappointed. The movie's theme is interesting, but seen before. Yeah, we should be critical towards technology and AI, hence we miss the social, interactiveMy expectations to this movie were rather big, but I can't help saying I'm a bit disappointed. The movie's theme is interesting, but seen before. Yeah, we should be critical towards technology and AI, hence we miss the social, interactive context etc. Great performance by Joaquin Phoenix, but the story is slow and pretty predictable.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

bdub526Jan 30, 2014

Personally, I wasn't excited to go see this movie. Mainly, because sappy indie movies aren't in my best interest. Spike Jonze has always made wonderful movies, and with Her, he did not disappoint nor intrigue me. The best part for me wasPersonally, I wasn't excited to go see this movie. Mainly, because sappy indie movies aren't in my best interest. Spike Jonze has always made wonderful movies, and with Her, he did not disappoint nor intrigue me. The best part for me was Scarlett Johansson's voice; breathtakingly sexy. This movie was definitely a risk taker in our time era, but I applaud Jonze for the originality. I took this in two ways; one being that a person can find love in whatever makes them happy, especially a computer based off of your own personality; two being this guy is nuts if he actually believes a machine can humanly love him back. Overall, this was a good movie, but I would dread to watch it again.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

7

oDjentoJan 1, 2015

A very nicely made romantic sci-fi film. Joaquin nails his performance and somehow you can say Scarlet Johannsonn plays hers brilliantly too despite having 0 screen time! The cinematography is lovingly put together also, and the sets were allA very nicely made romantic sci-fi film. Joaquin nails his performance and somehow you can say Scarlet Johannsonn plays hers brilliantly too despite having 0 screen time! The cinematography is lovingly put together also, and the sets were all nicely made. The film explores the complexities of love greatly and also shows the need for responsibility withing relationships, which is shown between comparing the love between Pheonix and Johannsonns characters. Also shows also the dependency on one another for the struggles of loneliness. I did find the ending came together a bit fast and was pretty predictable, and a kind of stereotypical romance ending, but it still does what it needs to! This film never really goes fully for it though, but does remain consistently good ao you don't have to worry about major exciting scenes/events. Great film though, and i'd say worth a watch and a re-watch!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

frankrog29Feb 25, 2014

Manages to be thought-provoking and funny at the same time, which is no small feat. The screenplay, which is very ambitious conceptually, is often emotionally authentic but sometimes feels forced and contrived. I also feel like some of theManages to be thought-provoking and funny at the same time, which is no small feat. The screenplay, which is very ambitious conceptually, is often emotionally authentic but sometimes feels forced and contrived. I also feel like some of the potential the concept promises was wasted. For the most part the director and actors do a fine job.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

7

DokaluFeb 22, 2015

“Her” is a science fiction, fresh love story in a not so distant future about a lonely man who falls in love with his operating system. First off, the obvious, nice acting, nice directing, and excellent, very realistic script focusing really“Her” is a science fiction, fresh love story in a not so distant future about a lonely man who falls in love with his operating system. First off, the obvious, nice acting, nice directing, and excellent, very realistic script focusing really much on the characters and their development as truly real people through the film. Now, the story. I think it’s really original and they chose the perfect actors for it. Some may think that it was slow, but I actually believe that it had the perfect rhythm for what it was trying to tell, and it was told really well. Also, the movie has a really deep message about artificial intelligence, what it can get to be and how will humans react to it.
Besides from that, I’m not going to deny that there were some parts that, though necessary to the story, were simply boring, and that there were actually some scenes that may as well not have been in there. Chris Pratt wasn’t necessary in this movie, he could perfectly have been cut out from it.
Real score: 7.4… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

geewahJan 30, 2022

As a fan of both Jonze and Phoenix, this movie just failed to excite me too much. The premise is great, but the slow drift into deep melancholy becomes a tad too tedious.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

AJ_13Jul 4, 2021

Profound, innovative and warm. Greatly acted and with an stunning color palette, even though I found it a bit long, plain and repetitive. You may enjoy less or more, but Spike Jonze's job is definitely impressive and packed with talent.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

CMCFeb 9, 2014

The near-future depicted is clever, and the movie is easy enough to watch, but is not memorable in any way. The main characters do not seem credible, which may be due to the movie's uneasy relationship to comedy. It is indeed possible forThe near-future depicted is clever, and the movie is easy enough to watch, but is not memorable in any way. The main characters do not seem credible, which may be due to the movie's uneasy relationship to comedy. It is indeed possible for comedic characters to be memorable, like Peter Sellers so often demonstrated, but in this case everyone is just flat and not interesting. There is absolutely no arc to the story or to the experience of the main character; he has the same flat inflection in the beginning, middle and end. The Saturday Night Live parody is perfect, because it demonstrates how much the movie depends on a surface gloss of slowly moving cameras, an intrusive score, high saturation imagery, etc. If they had cut out 40 million of Hollywood gloss it might have helped force the characters to carry more. Once again the Metascore is so out of sync with my own perceptions, I am afraid that Metacritic is no long the semi-reliable barometer it used to be.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

TVJerryJan 22, 2014

Joaquin Phoenix plays an earnest man who leads a quiet life in slightly-future LA. He loads a new operating system on his computer (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) and they end up passionately in love. Director Spike Jonze has written a uniqueJoaquin Phoenix plays an earnest man who leads a quiet life in slightly-future LA. He loads a new operating system on his computer (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) and they end up passionately in love. Director Spike Jonze has written a unique story and endowed it with sweet ruminations on love and life. Cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema has created a lovely look with soft light and shallow focus. The whole film has a wistful, quiet quality that's heartfelt, but there are too many scenes of Phoenix in solo conversations with his OS. I also had problems with some stuff being modern and cool, while other things (esp. the fashion) look disappointingly unfuturistic. Despite its good qualities, this could have been a short and would have been charming. For me it's just too long and too precious.… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

All this user's reviews

6

Trev29Jun 17, 2014

A well made movie with an interesting concept that opts to go for a much more depressing story than it needed to be. The funny moments were great, the ideas were smart, and the pace was terrible by the end.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

Gamer147Feb 2, 2014

eh
Not really much to say, a pretty bleh movie. Couldn't even finish it, gets a six because the concept was pretty interesting.
filler filler filler

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

6

FranzHcriticJul 20, 2014

Besides few moments of brilliance, 'Her' suffers from an oddly unbalanced pacing and lack of structure in the script that fails to blend these ideas together. The acting is well enough. All the critics who write positive reviews are simplyBesides few moments of brilliance, 'Her' suffers from an oddly unbalanced pacing and lack of structure in the script that fails to blend these ideas together. The acting is well enough. All the critics who write positive reviews are simply trying to appear like they're not stupid, but it's the opposite. Spike Jonze needed a lot more time to think this through.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

6

RobbertFeb 1, 2014

The lead actor's performance (Joaquin Phoenix) was amazing. I loved the originality and awkwardness of the plot. The movie is shot beautifully. Sadly, as much as I loved the first half, during the second half the (by now predictable) plotThe lead actor's performance (Joaquin Phoenix) was amazing. I loved the originality and awkwardness of the plot. The movie is shot beautifully. Sadly, as much as I loved the first half, during the second half the (by now predictable) plot started to drag on for too long. I can't help but feel like the movie could have been way better if it were cut shorter.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

6

SandyflowersJan 16, 2014

HER made me super uncomfortable. The whole idea of falling in love with a computer system made me feel creeped out. Maybe it was Joaquin Phoenix's mustache that made it feel dirty. But I understand that this movie is about how people couldHER made me super uncomfortable. The whole idea of falling in love with a computer system made me feel creeped out. Maybe it was Joaquin Phoenix's mustache that made it feel dirty. But I understand that this movie is about how people could fall in love with anyone and apparently anything. I liked that about the film. The message it gave.well at least what I got. Anyway, the other reason I give it a kinda good review is because when I was watching the movie I felt the emotions the actors were acting out. I understood why he and Amy Adams characters turned to the OS system. Their lives were depressing and the actors played it out so well for the audience. I felt all the emotions. and I loved how the movie was half visual and half dialogue. It was beautifully filmed.… Expand

10 of 16 users found this helpful106

All this user's reviews

6

TommyKGBFeb 18, 2014

Actually, I haven't seen this movie but I wanted to add that the plot of this one sounds very close to an old Twilight Zone episode and I'm wondering if that's where the idea came from. It starred Wally Cox playing a super nerd who falls forActually, I haven't seen this movie but I wanted to add that the plot of this one sounds very close to an old Twilight Zone episode and I'm wondering if that's where the idea came from. It starred Wally Cox playing a super nerd who falls for his (giant) computer. It's quite amusing to see what the producers of that show thought a modern computer would look like. The computer communicates with Cox by displaying a series of cue cards on the front of the huge console. An attractive assistant technician tries to get Cox's attention but he's too concerned about the feelings of his mechanical friend.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

6

smilzobobozOct 4, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm quite sure Spike Jonze doesn't know how his phone works... the whole thing is totally unrealistic. At first it was ok, actually pretty good, but didn't take much before I started checking the time every 5 minutes or so.

What I found incoherent about this AI is that she/it is sometimes incredibly efficient and overly smart, but sometimes thinks far slower, like if she/it was an average human. If the AI was that smart it wouldn't have taken the whole movie to break with the guy, she/it wouldn't have started the relation in the first place and there would have been no movie material and there would have been no movie, full stop.

I hate things that don't make sense.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

FilmQueenOct 25, 2015

This could have been a really interesting concept, but it's too slow-paced and the relationship between the computer and Theodore is just plain boring. I mean, other than not having a body Samantha seems very human, so it's easy to imagineThis could have been a really interesting concept, but it's too slow-paced and the relationship between the computer and Theodore is just plain boring. I mean, other than not having a body Samantha seems very human, so it's easy to imagine ...what if she was a human? In that case this film would be just a terribly boring and long story about a relationship that consist of two person asking each other: "Are you Ok?" *Sigh*"Yeah". I am not kidding, their conversations mostly look like this or something similar. Also Theodore is a big looser, that should not be a problem, but I can't even feel sorry for him, he is a boring character in my opinion. However the acting is great, the cinematography and scenery is pretty and the music is good, too. So the whole atmosphere of the film can easily capture the viewer, I understand why some people might like this, but I still think it's overrated.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

All this user's reviews

6

shiftworkerNov 30, 2016

Sci-fi. The not-too-distant future. Joaquin Phoenix becomes increasingly dependant on his interactive operating system. A slightly creepy warning of the place we have given IT.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

6

ty92Apr 10, 2020

It started off good and made me laugh a couple times. It was a interesting movie but it fell flat at the end. I just didn't like the ending overall.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

seantimothyJan 21, 2014

I was torn about this movie. On the one hand, it explored some interesting concepts about singularity and AI. On the other, it seemed like it was just a self glorified hipster marketing ploy. Good film, but I got sick of all the mustaches andI was torn about this movie. On the one hand, it explored some interesting concepts about singularity and AI. On the other, it seemed like it was just a self glorified hipster marketing ploy. Good film, but I got sick of all the mustaches and bright colored jeans.… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

All this user's reviews

5

QualitygamerJan 27, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. By no means a terrible movie, but the ending is one of the worst in a very long time. It is obviously rushed, does not explain anything, and does not make sense when you consider reality and how this movie already tries to make the setting seem like a not-so far off future, grounded in OUR reality.

-SPOILERS-

Products that you buy DO NOT just "ascend" and "go away". It was extremely, extremely rushed near the ending with no time given to explain the previous event which was actually the movie's climax.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

5

WadeVSJan 26, 2014

An interesting premise for a movie, but Joaquin is basically playing the part of Leonard from the Big Bang Theory and that seems like a waste for him. When you take the humour out of that role he is whiny and annoying and has an uglyAn interesting premise for a movie, but Joaquin is basically playing the part of Leonard from the Big Bang Theory and that seems like a waste for him. When you take the humour out of that role he is whiny and annoying and has an ugly mustache. This movie could have been great but was a bit gloomy and intense.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

All this user's reviews

5

StriderKiwiFeb 9, 2014

Semi-interesting use of near futuristic technology
somewhat unnecessarily vivid depictions of love making
the humor is very vulgar and disgusting throughout. Wasn't a huge fan of it. Their use of videogames is kinda dumb and clearly fromSemi-interesting use of near futuristic technology
somewhat unnecessarily vivid depictions of love making
the humor is very vulgar and disgusting throughout. Wasn't a huge fan of it. Their use of videogames is kinda dumb and clearly from the point of view of someone who doesn't play videogames so that didn't make me very happy. Lots of language and most of it isn't really called for. The videogames are anything but violent (which considering how vulgar the rest of the movie is, I'm really not sure why they didn't go with a more accurate depiction seeing as most videogames are in fact violent) and all of them seem like discount German games. The acting is pretty good. I'm not at all a fan of Joaquin but he did a great job and Johansson was great too even if she only did voicework. The dialogue is generally good with the exception of the aforementioned excess vulgarity, that could've been done without. There's something that happens near the end that i saw coming that shows potential but then quickly is thrown away and I wasn't exaclty sold on the ending Her settled for either. All in all, it had some good ideas but many could've used better execution.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

All this user's reviews

5

foxgroveFeb 19, 2014

The fact that 'Her' is laden with nominations, awards, 10 best list citations and superlatives galore makes the disappointment all the more acute, although not all that surprising as I find Spike Jones' films very resistable. 'Being JohnThe fact that 'Her' is laden with nominations, awards, 10 best list citations and superlatives galore makes the disappointment all the more acute, although not all that surprising as I find Spike Jones' films very resistable. 'Being John Malkovich' is ok for one viewing, but I didn't get 'Adaptation' at all.

'Her' starts promisingly enough and one settles down to enjoy a gentle and engaging comedy, but the lauded screenplay is fatally flawed. On the one hand one admires some original conceits only to dismiss their unbelievable conclusions within the soft centred predictability of the story's arc. There is also a streak of sentimentality a mile wide and however hard it tries for the reverse, by the end I found myself exasperated and totally unmoved by what transpires. In addition I had more fun watching the computer games in the film than I did from the film itself.

Joaquin Phoenix is as good as always and Scarlett Johansson is engaging, for a while, as operating system Samantha, but even she wears thin by the end. Amy Adams is becoming somewhat over exposed of late and is much better in 'American Hustle'. It seems to me that the critics go ga ga over anything that seems to present an original idea. Dig deeper, though, and ths is actually not as original as its surface sheen would have us believe. It's just another boy meets girl, by loses girl, boy meets different girl. See, not so original after all. Finally, I have to mention that the simulated sex scene between Phoenix and the operating sytem is just embarrassing.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

5

LowbrowCinemaDec 26, 2013

HER looks and sounds great, thank you Scarlett Johansson, but ultimately Spike Jonze's latest proves to be too long with nothing much new to say despite its futuristic setting and ostensible outlook.

8 of 22 users found this helpful814

All this user's reviews

5

doughboy914Jan 15, 2014

To summarize: This was an interesting premise that failed to live up to its potential, much less hold my attention for two hours. From the instant we learned of the main character's profession - the movie lost me. It is impossible toTo summarize: This was an interesting premise that failed to live up to its potential, much less hold my attention for two hours. From the instant we learned of the main character's profession - the movie lost me. It is impossible to believe that in any future of ours - where we are moving away from letters in exponential progression (letters to emails to texts to instagram and now Snapchat) - there would be a viable outsourced personal letter writing business. Preposterous. While I believe that many a sad sack could fall in love with an AI operating system, I find it impossible to believe that 99 out of 100 people wouldn't find that relationship more than a little creepy as opposed to opposite as depicted in this film. Phoenix did a great job appearing odd in the film, but his oddness and interesting premise was not enough to turn this oh-so-boring film into one worth watching. As is often the case with interesting premises and solid acting performances, the critics have grossly overrated the film. Maybe if I was forced to see one typically terrible film after another, I'd overrate atypical fare, but being able to discriminate, I don't.… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

All this user's reviews

5

lunanulJan 21, 2014

Starts amazingly well, but by the end is bloated with distractions. Too much overlap with Being John Malkovich (a tighter, superior effort). Yet if you're a Jonze fan (as I am), it's a must-see. Lower expectations a tad and enjoy the copiousStarts amazingly well, but by the end is bloated with distractions. Too much overlap with Being John Malkovich (a tighter, superior effort). Yet if you're a Jonze fan (as I am), it's a must-see. Lower expectations a tad and enjoy the copious good stuff.… Expand

6 of 10 users found this helpful64

All this user's reviews

5

borderlinefilmsFeb 4, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not a Keeper

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts needs to return to limiting Best Picture contenders to five nominations, which always fell in line with the five Best Director nominees. Having ten casts too wide a net and allows squeakers like "Her" to slip in.

Spike Jonze needs to return to doing what he does best, and that is direct films written by Charlie Kaufman. "Her" is mundane and uninspired. "She" is drastically inferior to "Adaptation" and "Spotless Mind" and only somewhat better than John Malkovich flirting with Siri. Her has little to offer on the subjects of digital addiction, imaginary companions, internet porn, the singularity, long-distance love affairs, servitude fantasies, or post-modern love in general. Joaquin Phoenix is an intense and seriously committed actor who pointlessly busts his chops on such unimpressive material. An effort wasted in the prime of his career. While Jonze attempts to reach for all the possibilities that can be explored with his high concept premise, he conspicuously excludes other logical outcomes. Why was Theodore the only one with a virtual girlfriend? This OSi should be selling like hotcakes and iPhones. As a sentient OS, Samantha is able to process information at lightning speed, yet can only process human emotion at the rate of molasses. Seems like there was a trade off. The more emotional she gets, the dumber she becomes. Call it the Spock effect. Above all, why didn't Samantha give herself a digitized face and body? Perhaps because Jonze was determined to contain and disable her enough to make the point that true romantic love has little to do with desires of the flesh. But there is little to muse about beyond this tidy declaration. Nothing more knotty or involving than one would experience revisiting old episodes of I Dream of Jeannie (replace the smart-phone with a bottle). While half-watching "Her", my thoughts strayed, seeking a more satisfying premise than that of a lonely man falling in love with a voice on his computer. What if his dying wife's brain was transferred into an operating system and just when he thought he could be with her forever a computer virus kills her off?

Maybe the Academy should divide the 10 Best Picture nominees into two categories. Instead of bunching mega-budget extravaganzas and low-budget darlings together, they could separate them into 5 Best Studio Movies and 5 Best Independent Films (under, say, $25 mill); open with one, close with the other. But even then, I'm not sure Her deserves any mention.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

Tony1984Feb 18, 2017

I wish I could give HER a higher score because it's beautifully produced in the visual sense and Joaquin Phoenix is an outstanding actor but..Samantha's voice just nauseated me, I just couldn't get past it and quit after half an hour...I loveI wish I could give HER a higher score because it's beautifully produced in the visual sense and Joaquin Phoenix is an outstanding actor but..Samantha's voice just nauseated me, I just couldn't get past it and quit after half an hour...I love Cortana with a passion so it's not a disembodied voice I found creepy just HER. Secondly, the old trope of a materially comfortable future but a soulless one is wearisome. People have been lonely since the beginning of time and will always be, so the movie is profiting somewhat off lonely people which is to my mind exploitative. And lastly, Loneliness is voluntary, if you're happy with yourself than you will attract friends and as a last or even first resort.. if that's where a person is stuck at, get a DOG, man's and woman's best friend.. or even a cat at a push...… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

4

LynJan 13, 2014

I really like Joaquin Phoenix and enjoyed his acting here ... but this is a deeply silly story that (even for science fiction) has few believable notes. Start with the notion that anyone in the future will make a living composing emotional,I really like Joaquin Phoenix and enjoyed his acting here ... but this is a deeply silly story that (even for science fiction) has few believable notes. Start with the notion that anyone in the future will make a living composing emotional, handwritten notes for people -- when we're already at the point where people express sympathy in Facebook posts and "tributes" to the dead on Twitter! The story has no more insights than that episode of "Big Bang Theory" in which Raj falls in love with "Siri" in his new iPhone. Honestly feel many who adore the film are in love with the notion that the breathy voice of the fake computerized girlfriend is Scarlett Johansson.… Expand

8 of 14 users found this helpful86

All this user's reviews

4

PatternFallsFeb 11, 2014

This movie tries and fails to immerse you in a story between man and machine. It fails because the characters live in a society (apparently the near future) were all this strange and alien behaviour is viewed as normal, but we as an audienceThis movie tries and fails to immerse you in a story between man and machine. It fails because the characters live in a society (apparently the near future) were all this strange and alien behaviour is viewed as normal, but we as an audience still find it alienating thus making the actions of the characters unsympathetic and unrelatable.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

4

everettJun 4, 2022

About a half-hour in, I started thinking, "A man wrote this." Then of course I found out it was Spike Jonze. (I'd gone into it without reading too much about it first, obviously.) We've all heard about "the male gaze." This was that, plus theAbout a half-hour in, I started thinking, "A man wrote this." Then of course I found out it was Spike Jonze. (I'd gone into it without reading too much about it first, obviously.) We've all heard about "the male gaze." This was that, plus the voice equivalent, depending on which female we're talking about: so stereotypically breathy and/or giggly etc. The blind date with Olivia Wilde was especially grating. Here's a silly women if ever there was one, supposedly longing for a deep relationship yet perfectly willing to play "if you were an animal, which one would you be." Of course he says "tiger" and she sexily meows. Oh please. Soon after we've got the virtual phone sex. Once again, I don't understand the critical acclaim. Once again we've got underdeveloped characters in a "cool" premise. Who IS this Theodore, beyond a guy with a broken heart? How many times have we seen that? I'm a big Joaquin Phoenix fan, by the way. Put him in a well-written film and he'll make you care, big-time. Here it all rang hollow, and even he couldn't pull it off. That's saying a lot.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

3

supermanologyJan 26, 2014

This was a very peculiar film, and incited the most curious of movie viewers. There is a difference between how the movie was made and why it was made. The linear and chronological nature of the film are very well orchestrated. Arcade FireThis was a very peculiar film, and incited the most curious of movie viewers. There is a difference between how the movie was made and why it was made. The linear and chronological nature of the film are very well orchestrated. Arcade Fire does a superb job of writing the musical score. The, almost, minimalist emotional impressions throughout the film connect us to the existential angst of Theodore. We feel lonely, and we feel sad. We feel loved and we feel lost. What made this film unique, however, was the ontological presuppositions towards Samantha. At first, we see her as nothing more than a voice on a computer. Throughout the film, though, her character is developed to more than an answering machine. Samantha is developed to become relatable. Just as we empathize with Theodore, we begin to empathize with Samantha. We begin, oddly, placing her in the category that so vaguely defines what it means to be human. We are unsure of whether or not she belongs there, and can't help but to feel uncertain about our ethical convictions over Theodore's relationship with Samantha. Our decision and interpretation of Samantha depends largely on something we believed before we began the film. Simply, "What does it mean to be human?" If being human can, indeed, boil down to a complex arrangement of algorithms and syntax, then Samantha should feel very human to us. If being human, however, is defined by metaphysical uniqueness as well as physical attribute and chemical processes then Samantha's desire to be viewed as human as you and I will come as an awkward surprise. Although I believe the film implies the first, it is our presupposition which inevitably determines our understanding and acceptability of Samantha.… Expand

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

All this user's reviews

3

victoratorJan 22, 2014

If I were to describe this movie with two words it would be: boring and stupid. Yes, stupid.
The plot makes you want to get up and walk out of the cinema after 10 minutes... The main character is such a dumb guy. 3/10 for Scarlett's voice,If I were to describe this movie with two words it would be: boring and stupid. Yes, stupid.
The plot makes you want to get up and walk out of the cinema after 10 minutes... The main character is such a dumb guy. 3/10 for Scarlett's voice, nothing else. What a disappointment.… Expand

14 of 25 users found this helpful1411

All this user's reviews

3

szilardFeb 16, 2014

Synopsis: Uninteresting people talk about themselves, endlessly. One of them is a computer program.

I guess I missed a big red flag: the main character is a *writer*, and writers writing about writers are almost always going to disappearSynopsis: Uninteresting people talk about themselves, endlessly. One of them is a computer program.

I guess I missed a big red flag: the main character is a *writer*, and writers writing about writers are almost always going to disappear up their own fundaments.

The best thing about the movie is the near-ish future LA cityscape. It looks like a really nice place to live, physically, a huge city of graceful buildings and spaces. Much too good for the people we meet - the city has evolved into something quite wonderful, but the pallid low-rent Eloi inhabitants have been left behind.

The situation cries out for some Moorlocks! Perhaps all the interesting people have turned troglodyte, driven underground by their refusal to conform to the dominant high-waisted trouser fashion; or something.

Anyway, that notion of the people we meet not being good enough for their city, which was actually my main take-away from this movie, does kind of fit with the denouement, in which the computer program character transcends away from Phoenix's uninteresting writer character. Maybe that was supposed to be the point: our creations will outstrip us & leave us behind. But don't think so.

and perhaps there's a whole bunch of interesting people living in it, but unfortunately we don't get to meet them.

The ones we do meet don't deserve to live there, despite their cool near-ish future high-waisted trousers,… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

All this user's reviews

3

FidmarkFeb 18, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I like Spike Jonze and have a lot of time for love stories. I also have faith in the public opinion and generally agree with mainstream critics. I saw the film before I saw the reviews and automatically assumed it would flop massively. The main reason I thought this is because I found the entire film incredibly boring. As far as I can tell the plot is as follows: A recently divorced and fairly wealthy man falls in love with a computer program which is designed to act like a thoughtful woman and creates generic piano muzak for him. He then realizes that he is in love with a piece of software and gets very upset about the whole thing. And that is pretty much it! The plot is pretty much nonexistent.

I am not the type of person who always desires a plot that twists your head and is constructed with dizzying complexity. I enjoy films that are atmospheric, gentle and allow you to get some food for thought without being bombarded with the directors thoughts. This does did not get into my head at all. I found Theodore a very irritating character; very naive and almost like a pubescent teenager, but with a proper moustache. Anti-hero's are fine, over-emotional and predictable bores are not. I couldn't tell if this film was a kind of social commentary about how we are attached to technology too much and have forgotten how to love or just some kind of bizarre love story in which we are supposed to feel empathy for the introverted man who has lost faith in humanity and falls in love with a computer. The whole film is laced with nauseating sickly sweet dialogue about Theodore and his digital concubine while they marvel at people with normal body shapes the beach, listen to shoegazey music and (in the most climactic part of the film) run hilariously and cheekily through a train station. I thought this film shared the same emotional range with The Lady And The Tramp.

I shall pluck some reviews from the endless list of positive ones and watch the film again, perhaps I'll change my mind. Perhaps I'm a coldhearted cynic. Or perhaps this film was just terrible.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

All this user's reviews

3

LINUSSPACEHEADNov 20, 2014

I can't sleep. Who cares right? Maybe I should have a conversation with my latest OS?
I was looking over the critic's reviews and it is truly astonishing how almost all of them are 100% positive and there are no negative reviews listed aboutI can't sleep. Who cares right? Maybe I should have a conversation with my latest OS?
I was looking over the critic's reviews and it is truly astonishing how almost all of them are 100% positive and there are no negative reviews listed about this movie. Maybe it's true that they were all paid off as someone suggested. The "Village Voice" had one of the most negative reviews rated at 50% I think. Some of the reader comments are actually insulting and condescending when referring to the critic and others who did not like this piece of garbage deemed oscar worthy. They say young people love it and suggest that older people don't get it because it's about today's high tech evolving world we live in. And of course there are these idiots who comment that they agree with this and then reference that their 5yo grandson knows how to text,use facebook and "everything". So I guess this somehow makes this movie great?
It stunk. I agree with all those who wonder if people who loved this thing were possibly under the influence or payed off.
I also wonder if some critics were afraid to really call it out for the crap it is because of some sort of peer pressure.
It did make me laugh a little at the end. I loved it when the OS dumped that boring, weird, wimpy, self absorbed idiotic man. You GO GIRL!!!… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

3

sidonhJan 6, 2015

As someone in their early twenties who spends most of the day on a computer, I felt oddly terrified while watching and felt the urge to gather a few friends and go outside.

It's the ultimate desire of any emotionally immature person: theAs someone in their early twenties who spends most of the day on a computer, I felt oddly terrified while watching and felt the urge to gather a few friends and go outside.

It's the ultimate desire of any emotionally immature person: the creation of an echo chamber, the realization of someone you created yourself to suit you without bothering with any of the 'empathy' and 'communication' parts that include talking to a real person.

Starting from the beginning: the protagonist seems like the typical artsy romantic who refuses to mature and sees any contradictory discussion as a personal attack. In response to his loneliness and desire to share a connection to someone, he creates the personality of 'Her'. It snowballs from there. Free tip: When your computer has a more active social life than you do, it's time to go outside.

Had this movie acknowledged how disturbing their relationship was evolving, beyond a few words from the ex-wife, this would have been a great movie. Had the protagonist LEARNED something from this about the nature of humankind, his own flaws and assumed responsibility for his own situations, this would have been a great movie. Instead, it was all played straight and slightly disturbing. Yes, why work at a relationship when we could all create our perfect someones and just spend all of our time with them?

Credit where it's due: the scenery is lovely. The music is more than wonderful. The performances are great for the material. But if you want something with a similar tone, but where the main character sees what he was doing wrong, just watch Ruby Sparks.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

2

FarrelJan 19, 2014

The movie is boring, very boring. It has a modicum of redeeming features but they are thoroughly smothered by the tedious boredom. My wife loved it so be warned that I may simply be a concrete emotionally shallow individual. The movie is aThe movie is boring, very boring. It has a modicum of redeeming features but they are thoroughly smothered by the tedious boredom. My wife loved it so be warned that I may simply be a concrete emotionally shallow individual. The movie is a science fiction romantic drama set in a time where operating systems and artificial intelligence have developed so far that one can have a relationship with one's operating system. The movie explores the Utopian and dystopian consequences and compares and contrasts them with the current human status quo that we are all currently familiar with.

1 part comedy
2 parts fascinating computer science fiction exploration
1 part beautiful design (beautiful workplace, interesting elevators, nice apartments)
2 parts good acting
2 parts lush cinematographic city scapes.
126 parts excruciatingly boring emotional schmaltz that just goes on and on.

Unquestionably, the two highlights were: 1) the Toblerone chocolate triangle my friend gave me and 2) the end when I got to walk out.… Expand

14 of 25 users found this helpful1411

All this user's reviews

2

kublay0880Jan 27, 2014

Woe, I'm a fan of Joaquin Phoenix but to me this is a very poor movie, I deed believe in his character but the story is very poor, for this reason I agree with everything that konjiki7 said.

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

All this user's reviews

2

dlldllFeb 10, 2014

The most shallow, cringe-worthy film I've seen in a few years. Well, since Avatar. It is one of those embarrassingly thin visions of the future. It is also a philosophical disaster as the makers clearly haven't thought through the littleThe most shallow, cringe-worthy film I've seen in a few years. Well, since Avatar. It is one of those embarrassingly thin visions of the future. It is also a philosophical disaster as the makers clearly haven't thought through the little vision which is the basis of the film--consciousness in computer form.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

All this user's reviews

2

pimpimMay 29, 2014

The stupidest movie I've ever seen, a perfect non sense with trendy lightning and clothes. A confusion chase the previous one in a world were technology is simply magic, avoiding every possible reflection about human perception ofThe stupidest movie I've ever seen, a perfect non sense with trendy lightning and clothes. A confusion chase the previous one in a world were technology is simply magic, avoiding every possible reflection about human perception of relationships. I've been waiting until the ending for any hints of thoughts about what defines a computer and what defines a human being, how they could eventually interact or look like each other.
But noting happened there except teenage absurdity, let's see how this movie grows old in the next decades.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

All this user's reviews

2

moisarasJun 19, 2014

I just signed up here to tell someone about what just happened!
Started watching the movie, 30 minutes later I couldn't believe this was a real movie, I was almost sure it was a (bad) joke, and I checked the reviews here at Metacritic.
II just signed up here to tell someone about what just happened!
Started watching the movie, 30 minutes later I couldn't believe this was a real movie, I was almost sure it was a (bad) joke, and I checked the reviews here at Metacritic.
I give this movie 0.5 points for the laughs I got from reading the real reviews (i.e. the ones below 3) -- thank you all!
I also give it another 0.5 points because this movie actually gets worse as time goes by - a very difficult achievement, seriously.
And finally, another 1 point for confirming to me how many simple people exist on this poor planet, including most professional movie reviewers..… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

All this user's reviews

2

ShiningLionJan 7, 2022

This movie is a boring slog with some really bizarre and questionable scenes. It has served one purpose however, of reminding me that it's okay to move on from relationships with people (friends, family, romantic or otherwise) when yourThis movie is a boring slog with some really bizarre and questionable scenes. It has served one purpose however, of reminding me that it's okay to move on from relationships with people (friends, family, romantic or otherwise) when your knowledge and maturity continues to develop and theirs stagnates to a point where basic conversations become an unwholesome chore and offer little sustenance. This movie made me realize I've outgrown a lot of people in my life who just can't keep up with me because I'm a "forever learner" who is always learning new things while most of my adult peers are content to consume entertainment media, propaganda, and gossip. Most of them can't even think critically or cough up evidence to prove a point on anything, and are equally disinterested in realizing they could learn something from people who know more than them on a topic. I have difficulty ending or phasing out friendships, even when people become self-obsessed and want to hold you back to their level, and this film gives me a bit of courage to do so.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

1

jdmarcJan 16, 2014

I loathed this movie. I do not fault the fine actors in this disaster, but this movie is proof that nothing can compensate for a stupid storyline. Sitting through this was absolute torture.

12 of 33 users found this helpful1221

All this user's reviews

1

franclinolinJan 17, 2014

What a yawner of a film! The audience is apparently supposed to forgive its lack of plot and instead concentrate on its 'oh so clever' premise that grows weary within the first fifteen minutes. Much of the dialog has been heard before,What a yawner of a film! The audience is apparently supposed to forgive its lack of plot and instead concentrate on its 'oh so clever' premise that grows weary within the first fifteen minutes. Much of the dialog has been heard before, better written, in better movies; some of the dialog is downright embarrassing. Oh what a conceit of a movie! The only interesting scenes were the shots of Shanghai (supposed to serve as a future LA), cloaked in its thick polluted fog. A perfect setting for 'Her'.… Expand

19 of 46 users found this helpful1927

All this user's reviews

1

ConorHatFeb 18, 2014

Hipster trash with an agenda to sell. Mind numbingly bad movie. This is some really bad joke maybe? I don't know, but Hollywood is on a lot of drugs and it shows.

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

All this user's reviews

1

CdnCurmudgeonJan 14, 2014

Some movies make you wonder. You wonder why they made the movie in the first place. You wonder why good actors would get involved in such a lame project. You wonder why a the most bubbly actress in Hollywood would allow herself to getSome movies make you wonder. You wonder why they made the movie in the first place. You wonder why good actors would get involved in such a lame project. You wonder why a the most bubbly actress in Hollywood would allow herself to get sucked into playing such a flat personalityless character. You wonder why 93% of Rotten Tomatoes critics liked it. You wonder how a usually boring actress actually ends up being one of the very few bright lights in an otherwise dim cast. And you wonder why, after saying that it looked like a stupid idea for a movie after seeing the trailers, you allowed the critics to seduce you into sitting in the dark and lamenting the $12.99 that you just wasted. Well dear readers by now you are probably wondering what god-awful movie I am talking about. The movie is “her”.

When I finally get around to compiling my best and worst lists “her” will likely top the list. My spouse actually left the movie before it was over and I would have accompanied her but since I had dragged her into the theatre kicking and screaming I felt that I had no choice but to stay. Here is the plot synopsis that my spouse posted on Facebook in answer to my daughter’s query about the movie: “ "Her" - a really stupid pathetic person poorly acted by Joaquin Phoenix using a really stupid voice was dumped by his wife. Several months later he gets this AI OS - the latest thing - and it becomes more human-like. The was only one 15 sec scene that was at all entertaining (an alien type thing in a video game), and even then it was only because you were so bored by then that those 15 seconds seemed good.” I have to disagree with my spouse on one point, the video game character was annoying as was its potty mouth.

This movie was so bad I don’t even know where to begin. The entire plot-line is ridiculous and the characters are even worse. The only three characters that really seem to have any grip on sanity or reality are Olivia Wilde’s “blind date” character, the partner of Amy Adams’ character and the lead character’s ex-wife-in-waiting.

I don’t usually like Olivia Wilde in movies but for some reason she was great in the small part of the loser’s blind date. I think that the “partner” is one of the two characters in the movie that actually has a brain and he bails early and joins an ashram, totally separating himself from Spike Jones’ perverted vision of our future society. And Rooney Mara’s ex-wife-in-waiting is brilliant in the scene where she denounces Joaquin Phoenix’s character as the loser that most of us watching the movie figured out about 3 minutes into this 2 hour 6 minute borefest.

You know that you are in the wrong theatre when after about ½ an hour of watching Phoenix walk zombie-like through his so called life we are treated to an aurally-graphic scene of him having telephone sex with a dead-cat-fetishist. But it gets worse, later we get to stare at a totally black screen while he has cyber-sex with his Operating System. But wait, there is still more up Spike Jones sleeve, we soon get to see Phoenix attempt to have sex with a sex-surrogate who has agreed to stand in for the Operating System. That’s when my spouse left.

Sure I get that Spike Jones is trying to warn us about the direction that our millennial society is going as it abandons real human interaction for communicating through Facebook, Twitter, blogging and internet porn, but he could have given us an entertaining movie at the same time.… Expand

25 of 64 users found this helpful2539

All this user's reviews

1

apollodorusJan 16, 2014

What is good about this film: the cool pants and the guy from Parks and Recreation. What is bad: everything else. I'm astounded that it has received such positive reviews. Most of these reviews focus on the poignancy and believability of theWhat is good about this film: the cool pants and the guy from Parks and Recreation. What is bad: everything else. I'm astounded that it has received such positive reviews. Most of these reviews focus on the poignancy and believability of the characters. Joacquin Phoenix plays a great, solipsistic loser who lives only by constructing around himself a world of sentiment borrowed from how he imagines other people feel. Scarlett Johansson plays a Manic Pixie Dream Girl in the form of an intelligent operating system. The only line of real poignancy is delivered by Joacquin's character's (his name is Theodore Trombley-- could anything softer and more milquetoast be invented?) ex-wife: they are perfect for each other. Neither of them are anything close to real people, but the viewer is subjected to a long romantic scenes in which this putz courts his cell phone. If you are like me, you will laugh and cry, but not when the movie wants you to. I imagine that it is so highly rated either because its audience is narrow and self-selecting, or because most of those who see it quickly want to forget it. I can't explain it otherwise.… Expand

16 of 36 users found this helpful1620

All this user's reviews

1

traveljunkieJan 31, 2014

A wonderful, creative story completely spoiled in typical Hollywood fashion by gratuitous, completely unnecessary vulgar language and lewd sex scenes throughout designed no doubt to increase ticket sales to the 17 year old audience.A wonderful, creative story completely spoiled in typical Hollywood fashion by gratuitous, completely unnecessary vulgar language and lewd sex scenes throughout designed no doubt to increase ticket sales to the 17 year old audience. Obviously, not too many older people are reviewing this movie. I've rarely seen so many people walk out in the middle of a movie to get their money back. Spike Jones is obviously raking in millions to his personal fortune while infecting our youth with incredibly destructive values.… Expand

6 of 16 users found this helpful610

All this user's reviews

1

CameraBounceGodAug 23, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. if people say they like this then it must be because they see it as a warning about AI. I'm almost done with the film and based on it scoring a 90 here i'm guessing that the best thing possible happens in the last ten/fifteen minutes. I don't understand how its good at all aside from him not having sex with that freak blonde who was somehow spying on him and samantha.(I do however like the way that she seemed like a robot version of samantha even though we knew the voice was Johanson's. I was watching it with low volume and trying to fall asleep but this was retarded. I think the only thing the illuminati forgot was that the cat in the beginning fantasy should have started off alive (though i'm sure its because they plan to do that in a new 50 shades movie. I feel like Amy Adams probably made this movie and she was trying to prove that she wasn't illuminati by distancing herself from sex by being in a relationship with an ugly man(not pehonix).But it's seemingly impossible for her to not be illuminati if you ask me. Her line about love being socially acceptable insanity is just her(the illuminati) trying sell the idea of love by bringing it up yet again by making it seem interesting (the illuminatis version of love though really just means sex though. I'm surprised Rooney Mara and Amy Adams' characters haven't gotten together seeing how all this love of new technology is some serious lesbian fantasy bullcrap. I guess I just can't get over the dead cat thing even though Pheonixs character isn't all that intrigued by it. I'm seeing now that hes getting shown up by another AI which is just about as cucked as it gets. I don't want you to read this and be confused- I don't hate women I only hate the ones who are above a 5 on the hotness scale. Lol hes jealous of the AI girlfriend cheating on him with 8,316 which is nothing compared to what a human girl can sext. and they do...i actually remember i used to listen to the soundtrack its good. well i'm glad the OSes left but this movie was cancerous and watching it again would the worst idea. this is juaquins worst movie I've seen yet and I've seen some of I'm Still Here...I gave it a 1 only so that people don't see me as being a "hater" and just move on.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

1

tjaartJun 10, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really like Joaquin Phoenix. In this movie he is a sad hipster going through a divorce, who falls in love with his artificially intelligent operating system. He plays the part of a depressed hipster loser very well, so props to him for that.
Thinking that this will be a score for me, a sci-fi fan and my wife, a romance fan, I picked this movie for us to watch. What I didn't expect was for the movie to fail so badly at doing both genres. Being the nice guy that I am, I watch the occasional romance movie with my wife, and some of them are pretty good. The Vow was a sad movie with hipsters bohemians that I really liked. The Rebound was a romantic comedy I couldn't help liking.

One thing that makes a romance succeed is if the characters have actual personalities. The sad panda protagonist seems to have a personality that makes us want to commit suicide on his behalf, and the OS he falls in love with, Samantha, is just too perfect in every way. The first thing this hyper intelligent AI wants to do when it is switched on is have a relationship with its owner. Pretty weird. Even weirder is that it never really shows how they fall in love. In the world of romance this is a big no no. The moment the couple falls in love is integral in the story. Way to screw that up Jonze. I guess expecting more from the writer of Jackass was a wrong thing to do.

On to the sci-fi bit. The sci-fi in this movie is so utterly pathetic it made me want to cry. It is a fact that the occulus rift exists today. It is quite a wonder that the only solution that the lovers have to meet (and this was the hyper intelligent AI's idea) was to get some random chick off the internet to pretend to be her. You would think that by the time we can build AI capable of naming themselves we would be able to simulate touch in a virtual environment or at least be able to make a passable fembot. The movie pretends that robotics and virtual reality never existed to create an alternate hipster future where you are stuck with an even smaller screen in your awkward hipster shirt pocket where people are constantly mumbling to their computers on the bus. In fact the whole thing views like a hipster male iPhone sex fantasy based on the Siri character. Besides falling in love, the only thing this AI seems to be able to do is send and sort e-mails, make tea and transcend known physics to leave you without an operating system on your computer. And we thought Windows was awful!

The movie in general is so full of the ideal hipster world, which should rightly be called a hellish dystopia of mid 20th century style mixed with people who seem depressed and bored with their lives, divorcing each other because of where you should put your shoes when you come into the house. I know where I want to put my shoe: right up Jonze's backside for writing such a bad screenplay and torturing me with hipster dystopia for 122 minutes.

Towards the end, and in no way am I ruining this movie for you, the AI suddenly decides to bugger off with its friends leaving our depressed meatbag alone. He and his recently divorced friend go up onto a rooftop, and a glimmer of hope twinkled in my eye when I thought that they would commit suicide because their operating systems left them. Unfortunately it just ends there. You don't end a romance movie with an unresolved question like "do the hipster losers hook up" and given that you have molested sci-fi and romance, the least you could do is offer a consolation prize of a kiss between the hipster losers. But nay. It just ends like that.

The movie is a desperate attempt to offer social commentary and to be deep, but it even fails at that. There is no moral of the story, and there is no resolution to the protagonist's dilemma of being a lonely hipster with poor fashion sense.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

0

konjiki7Jan 26, 2014

There are few times in my life where I have ever regretted anything this happens to be one of them. While sitting in the theater I realized what the movie was trying to achieve. In fact it tried so hard at times it was comical which took awayThere are few times in my life where I have ever regretted anything this happens to be one of them. While sitting in the theater I realized what the movie was trying to achieve. In fact it tried so hard at times it was comical which took away from the experience. I reached a point where amusement was found outside of its intended purpose.

It was the most emotionless emotionally movie I've seen to date. Character development seemed rushed and the concept of time was very jumbled. This movie made me realize how good a couple of Japanese shows/movies I saw 10 years ago that tackled this same idea and pulled it of masterly.

The date that chose the movie was by far less amused. She found concept interesting but the execution painful. At the very least it did give us both something to talk about even though i'm sure we both wished we had been doing something else with the hours we burned.… Expand

17 of 37 users found this helpful1720

All this user's reviews

0

DreadLordAvatarMay 31, 2014

lame. i've tried watching this twice and got so bored i quit -- it seems absolutely pointless, no direction, characters are dimensionless and completely forgettable. I came here to see what others thought, and I cant believe the number oflame. i've tried watching this twice and got so bored i quit -- it seems absolutely pointless, no direction, characters are dimensionless and completely forgettable. I came here to see what others thought, and I cant believe the number of positive reviews. The scene where he has sex with the OS, and we stare of a blank screen - is rock bottom and makes me feel so angry that I even bothered to waste time on this film. Horrible… Expand

2 of 12 users found this helpful210

All this user's reviews

0

fearmearApr 30, 2014

At first I was like "WOW", but then all my expectations were crashed.
Also I discovered metacritic's critics somehow managed to rank this **** 90 points, while MUCH SUPERIOR Mr. Nobody got 63. GTFO and DIE "critics".

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

All this user's reviews

0

dierregiMay 6, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Her" boils down to sad sack, emotionally challenged Theodore, sort of "falling" for his OS Samantha and masturbating to her voice, then they break up - actually, Samantha dumps him, just like a real girl would.

Hardly a romantic concept and more the story of a guy unable to handle real life and disappointments, and finding solace in his imaginary world.

Actually, Theodore's "love" seemed to be hardly more than disguised lust, as proved by an early scene with him getting in touch with sleepless females to masturbate with their "encouragement". Maybe because I always found phone sex slightly ridiculous, I saw in Theodore's cyber sex nothing more than an evolution of the old "sex with a stranger" concept. What Theodore seemed to be looking for was attention, adoration and sexual solace from a female creature, existing only to take care of his needs and asking for nothing in return. It is hard to think about a more selfish form of "love".....

Besides, the concept of falling in love with unreachable people (being them rock stars or imaginary creatures) is nothing new. What is new is the technological support we have at our disposal, which encourages us to do so, thus avoiding all the inconveniences of a real relationships.

A couple of plus points of an otherwise boring movie were the atmospheric soundtrack and the interesting photography and costumes - drab enough to look like real clothes, rather than futuristic uniforms.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

All this user's reviews

0

ColinHeicoFeb 4, 2014

"There's a dead cat by the bed, choke me with it!" "I uhhh, wrap the dead cat's tail around your neck and choke you with it."

This exchange happens maybe 15 minutes into the movie. Surely you'd think this is pretty much the lowest a movie"There's a dead cat by the bed, choke me with it!" "I uhhh, wrap the dead cat's tail around your neck and choke you with it."

This exchange happens maybe 15 minutes into the movie. Surely you'd think this is pretty much the lowest a movie can sink, the most awful and pitiful a movie could have to offer. After watching this, I envy your naievity. I went partially based on reading reviews on this site stating it was good; reviews on this site are dead to me because I refuse to believe anyone but a paid schill would give this movie a positive review. I went partially based on seeing the Spike Jonze short movie "I'm Here" knowing he could make a touching movie. This was a complete disappointment on every level. This movie has dethroned The Blair Witch Project as the worst movie I've seen in theaters. Do not see this movie, it is simply the worst.

The characters are wooden and un-relatable, with the main character the worst of all. The dialog is as natural as a packing peanut, with robot girl constantly stating I AM HAVING FEELINGS, THERE AREN'T WORDS FOR ALL THESE FEELINGS I AM FEELING! The romance never suspends your disbelief and makes the Anakin-Padme romance seem like Shakespeare by comparison. The only emotions this movie inspires are pity and disgust. If you made a drinking game of take a shot every time the main character stares into space as though it's supposed to be meaningful, you would leave the theater beyond hammered. There was so much potential in this premise and every ounce of it wasted. DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE!… Expand

9 of 22 users found this helpful913

All this user's reviews

0

CountvontrollioJan 4, 2015

until i am actually a computer myself how excited am i gonna be about a romantic story between a dude and something he can't even bone, which equates to numerous scenes of a guy talking to himself? not very! reminds me of the spate of lastuntil i am actually a computer myself how excited am i gonna be about a romantic story between a dude and something he can't even bone, which equates to numerous scenes of a guy talking to himself? not very! reminds me of the spate of last man alive in new york movies a few years back. you remove the interaction element and you achieve boredom. yeah raises some interesting thoughts on a hellish future that hopefully can be avoided, like should've happened to this film.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

All this user's reviews

0

dsj556Dec 30, 2014

Dude has some relationship with his computer. If you want to bang Siri then you will love this movie. People think this is the evolution of technology but in reality we all know that when technology tries to "talk" to us it is a program.Dude has some relationship with his computer. If you want to bang Siri then you will love this movie. People think this is the evolution of technology but in reality we all know that when technology tries to "talk" to us it is a program. Do people speak nicely to their GPS when it says to turn around? Seriously a horrible idea for movie and a complete waste of time.… Expand

1 of 20 users found this helpful119

All this user's reviews

0

GaotzengJan 18, 2014

This movie was honestly the stupidest movie I have ever seen in my entire life.
Two hours that I never never get back in my life!
Okay, at first it was sweet, like "aw, wow, seriously? he really loves this "Samantha" girl/chick, computer,This movie was honestly the stupidest movie I have ever seen in my entire life.
Two hours that I never never get back in my life!

Okay, at first it was sweet, like "aw, wow, seriously? he really loves this "Samantha" girl/chick, computer, whatever"

But then towards the end, it's like "WTH, are you serious? Get a life, she's a freaken computer!!!"

The dumbest movie I have seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand

20 of 60 users found this helpful2040

All this user's reviews

0

motoleaseFeb 7, 2014

I DO believe all these people giving the movie HER good reviews have ALL been paid off!!! Either that or on drugs! Absolutely the most boring thing you will ever suffer through. The end also has no explanation and is just pointless, leavingI DO believe all these people giving the movie HER good reviews have ALL been paid off!!! Either that or on drugs! Absolutely the most boring thing you will ever suffer through. The end also has no explanation and is just pointless, leaving you not knowing anymore than when it started! He's depressed then happy, and this goes back and forth continually. Very depressing and dull. Nothing happening in this boring ride, he goes to work and stares off into space, comes home and stares off into space. Was a waste of the actors time just waking up to go to the studio! They rated this as number one above all movies currently playing. A LIE!!! I've seen most playing and there are some really good action movies, very entertaining stuff right now. This is not better than all of them. These critics are bought off and I would bet money on it! This doesn't deserve to even be on a list. Should do the world a favor and burn every copy of this thing now, before it spreads!!!… Expand

10 of 19 users found this helpful109

All this user's reviews

0

pthilFeb 7, 2014

This is my first movie review, inspired by how awful this movie was. I could spend some time but: 1) I already wasted 2 hours on it 2) I've already spewed it all to my wife 3) the other 0-1 rated views here have said it all and adequately.This is my first movie review, inspired by how awful this movie was. I could spend some time but: 1) I already wasted 2 hours on it 2) I've already spewed it all to my wife 3) the other 0-1 rated views here have said it all and adequately. First time to not be enthralled by Amy Adams. Endless shots of a BIg City with Big Buildings. One final peave, why the shot of steam (that looks like smoke) come out of a manhole cover in a warm climate (woman with sleeveless dress in the same scene)… Expand

3 of 31 users found this helpful328

All this user's reviews

0

rankFeb 8, 2014

How can I write a negative score on this thing? Spike Joneze is an IDIOT. i don't believe this piece of garbage is up for an award. You people who like this so much have got to be on something strong. This movie SUCKED! It actually pissed meHow can I write a negative score on this thing? Spike Joneze is an IDIOT. i don't believe this piece of garbage is up for an award. You people who like this so much have got to be on something strong. This movie SUCKED! It actually pissed me off how STUPID it was. And I'll see just about anything and try and find something good about it, except maybe maybe some of that vin diesal fast and the furious ridiculousness. Some people are even calling this a romantic comedy...WHAT!!! you must be stoned out of your mind. The people who liked this so much are probably the ones I see staring at their cell phones all day long. if you where one of the people who saw this in the previews and said that looks stupid but it might be kind of interesting, do yourself a favor and go with your first intuition. This must be a JOKE. Spike Joneze (get over yourself by the way) who calls them self Spike.He was probably sitting somewhere thinking, lets see if i can make the public eat this one, I'll feed it to them and they'll think it's good. To sum it up..PAINFUL, SORRY, an a WASTE. I've lost respect for anyone involved in this...piece of GARBAGE… Expand

6 of 17 users found this helpful611

All this user's reviews

0

BaronVonTangSep 23, 2014

Ever seen a movie that's so bad when it pops back up in your memory you get angry? I saw this movie in theaters about a year ago, and something reminded me of it today, and I, instantly, got pissed off. This may very well be the worst movie IEver seen a movie that's so bad when it pops back up in your memory you get angry? I saw this movie in theaters about a year ago, and something reminded me of it today, and I, instantly, got pissed off. This may very well be the worst movie I have ever seen, like, not even exaggerating, not even a little bit.

Now, I'm not one of these people that just hates on Spike Jonze, I mean, I don't really think he's worthy of the constant attention he gets, but I thought Adaptation was a really well put together film; everything else he's done is kind of meh; but this movie, dear god, this movie.

It's so unnecessarily pretentious: it's deliberately slow paced and the characters are deliberately unappealing to draw out the "reality" of the situations; I'm not a fan of this particular approach, I'm definitely a strong advocate for clever stylization over realism, but, there are some occasions that call for the dreary shackles of reality, and some occasions where this works, like when the film is presenting some great truth or some really rich ideas, it can be advantageous to juxtapose that with the tedium of the real world...however there are no great truths here, no rich ideas, there is absolutely nothing profound in this movie to warrant how slow it is.

It's a very bland look at a, somewhat, tired subject: sentient machines and there impact on humanity. Now anyone familiar with, almost, anything to come out of the science fiction genre over the past 80 years or so is very familiar with this subject; hell even if you're not so familiar with the genre you've probably caught a passing episode of Star Trek the Next Generation, played some Megaman or seen, at least, one of the Terminator films or something, so you've, no doubt, come across this theme; it's nothing new, but, apparently, when Spike Jonze does it, it is!

You see, Spike Jonze draws in this pretentious hipster crowd, and these people dismiss science fiction as "genre" and anything that's "genre" is beneath them, because it's not up it's own ass and touting itself as a work of art, (whether it is or isn't is a discussion for another day); so these hipster Jonze fans go and see this movie and are just seeing, or just paying attention to these concepts for the first time and it's mind blowing to them, and when you tell them: "Well, it's nothing new, Phillip K Dick and Kazunori Ito did it a lot better" they just glare at you and make condescending remarks about the circles those particular talents move in.

I was seriously shocked when I left the theater after seeing this film and everyone seemed so enthralled by it, then I looked around and noticed all the skinny jeans(for men) and high waisted skinny jeans (for women), pork pie hats, thick rimmed glasses, ironic mustaches and the occasional bow tie and I was like "ooooooh".

Also, and I just found this out, Arcade Fire did the soundtrack; they're the **** worst.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

All this user's reviews

0

wordfishOct 4, 2015

This is truly a terrible movie on so many levels. To begin with, it crawls along at a snail's pace, relying on long soulful gazes and background music to convey emotion. That is not a wise strategy when the main love interest is a facelessThis is truly a terrible movie on so many levels. To begin with, it crawls along at a snail's pace, relying on long soulful gazes and background music to convey emotion. That is not a wise strategy when the main love interest is a faceless voice.

Next comes the dialogue, which is so vapid and cliche-ridden that it is difficult to distinguish one character from another. It is not that the operating system sounds real so much as that no one else in the film does either. There is not one real individual here -- just a generic male who has generic friends and is going through a generic divorce.(As a side note, I would like to suggest that the phrase "Are you O.K.?" never be used in movies or on TV by anyone ever again).

And that moves my critique on to the story itself. A man falling in love with a computer software system, i.e. regarding such a system as interchangeable with a person, might have been interesting as a theme -- in a comedy. But this is played straight, as a drama, and thus becomes pitiful. Of course, as I said, it's hard to blame the guy when the people around him sound computer-generated as well. But the rest of us know better. We know what real people sound like (and look and feel and smell like).

This is the sort of movie that gets made by people who are too young and unreflective to come up with something original. Too bad for all of us. I urge you to disregard the high praise for this film coming from critics. They should be taken across someone's knee and spanked with a hairbrush for passing this off as anything other than bad.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

All this user's reviews

0

KeithbelsonOct 10, 2015

This has to be the absolute worst excuse for a movie or story that I have ever seen! No real plot. Lousy dialogue. Bad language. I just cannot believe that anyone could actually sit through the whole thing. I mean sometimes I have perserveredThis has to be the absolute worst excuse for a movie or story that I have ever seen! No real plot. Lousy dialogue. Bad language. I just cannot believe that anyone could actually sit through the whole thing. I mean sometimes I have perservered with a bad film just to see what happens at the end, but with this movie I just don't care. It's just not worth the effort. I cannot understand why this movie has been made. Talk about a waste of money. Can't believe any of these reviews with a score over 3. My score is zero but I would like to give it less.… Expand

1 of 10 users found this helpful19

All this user's reviews

0

pdw123Sep 19, 2016

This has to be the absolute "worst film that ever won an Oscar" category EVER! Okay, the operating system slash girlfriend that tells you you're great and kisses your butt, what??? How about the opposite is true, "You can't love someone thatThis has to be the absolute "worst film that ever won an Oscar" category EVER! Okay, the operating system slash girlfriend that tells you you're great and kisses your butt, what??? How about the opposite is true, "You can't love someone that just kisses your butt!" LOVE relationships ARE supposed to be about growth and challenge, which this film and its stereotypical hackneyed romance plot provided by no means. I noticed the film started off interestingly enough, with a guy who needs an operating system for a "conscience" or a "god figure" (probably for about only the 1st 10 minutes really) AND perhaps this would've been a much more interesting plot line to pursue. However, it devolved so hurriedly into a sappy, romantic mess that I didn't care and should've quit at the half hour point. And, Scarlett Johansson certainly took it and ran here as well, the $$$$$$ anyway. DO NOT WASTE ANY TIME WITH THIS SUPPOSED ACADEMY WINNER!… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

All this user's reviews

0

TheGreatCriticAug 17, 2017

Her is the worst romance I've ever seen and here's why:
This is one of the worst stories I've seen, it's a movie about feelings, but feelings are for homosexual people or middle aged single women, I hate when I feel invested in a movie andHer is the worst romance I've ever seen and here's why:
This is one of the worst stories I've seen, it's a movie about feelings, but feelings are for homosexual people or middle aged single women, I hate when I feel invested in a movie and this movie annoyed me because of it and who falls in love with a phone? DUUUUMB.

The characters weren't good at all, it made feel invested in what was happening which I hate when movies do that, they actually put effort into crafting an emotional tale of the difference between a virtual relationship and a real relationship...why would they do that? they should of have made a film like GIGLI which was better in every single way.

Do not watch this filth, it's too original and has too much depth to be entertaining and the characters were too relatable to be interesting, this is disgusting that people think it's a good movie, they are way too immature to understand what makes goodfilmaking.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

All this user's reviews

0

MohammedArwaniNov 30, 2019

The story is full of science fiction with illusions

I really i felt like i wasted time on watching this crap storry ... I'm sorry

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

0

Toastys120Apr 13, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This Movie is this dumb I made an extra account for this site.
It bothers me because since I was expecting a man falling in love with a machine NOT falling in love with a "women on the phone". This machine however starts as human as it can get and making the whole movie therefore almost pointless. You can see the makers of this movie are having a superficial understanding of love and putting it into this movie and the jokes are dumb to awkward.
Sad because the Idea was interesting. I'm shocked that so many give 10 Points(?) if that's even true.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews