Her
Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 18, 2013
8.6
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 1778 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
1,592
Mixed:
98
Negative:
88
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
crazy_gooseJan 17, 2014
Funny how the movie is called "her". For all of the OS's charm, wit, and sweetness, the movie is held together by this sad, lonely man who falls in love with it. To see him change and grow along with her as the movie progresses is nothingFunny how the movie is called "her". For all of the OS's charm, wit, and sweetness, the movie is held together by this sad, lonely man who falls in love with it. To see him change and grow along with her as the movie progresses is nothing short of spectacular. Joaquin Phoenix's acting here is so sublime you'll probably forget you're just watching a movie, and Scarlett Johansson's voice performance is on point, playing lovable, sensual, worried and distraught often in the same scene. Their relationship is so much deeper than in many other romantic movies that it puts most of them to shame. Go into it with an open mind and I'm sure this movie will win you over.… Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
All this user's reviews
10
ShiiraMar 18, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Is it a dystopia or not? Although Theodore doesn't have to save the world from being overrun by cyborgs like John Connor, the future of Her, in its own subtle way, is equally violent, emotional instead of physical. Because, at the outset, the filmmaker adopts a comic tone, the viewer may not be cognizant, initially, to the reality of their latter 21st century counterparts. Slowly but surely, Her extrapolates the ongoing narrative of the social media-driven world we live in to its absurd, but plausible final conclusion; a world where, ultimately, people prefer abstract company over flesh and blood. Differing from the Resistance in the Terminator films, Theodore, and others like him, don't realize that they're living in hell. An advertisement for the OS encapsulates this unconscious orientation, where we see desperate, lonely people congregated together, repeatedly bypassing each other without noticing the commonality of their loveless state. Theodore misses the irony. This generation, perhaps, will be the last to catch it. "Hope is on the way," the narrator intones, an operating system with a consciousness, in which people then stop their aimless wandering and look off-screen to a bright light, as if the OS is some messiah, and technology, a religion that will rid the planet of loneliness. The marketing stratagem seemingly promises nirvana for Element Software's clients. Since the OS cures Theodore's depression, we accept, for the meantime, this strange relationship, because the self-named Samantha has the mind, if not the body, of a bona fide woman. Theodore's relationship, however, is made strange, even pathetic-sounding, when Catherine, his ex, who agrees to sign their divorce papers over lunch, reacts with horror after learning that Sam is an OS. Whereas Theodore's boss passes no judgement over his employee's girl being incorporeal, Catherine deconstructs this modern romance, and asks in layman's terms, "You're dating your computer?" which has the effect of demystifying Sam, who in an instant is reduced to a machine; her feminine wiles chalked up as nothing more than heady programming; her soul and capacity for love, a mere abstraction. Catherine accuses Theodore of not being able to "handle a woman with real emotions," evoking The Stepford Wives(and also, Lars and the Real Girl). But instead of being replaced by a subservient woman with bigger breasts, Catherine, who half-apologizes for not being the "peppy Valley girl" the neurotic woman suspects her husband wanted, she is supplanted by a "woman" with a bigger brain. Both parties, however, make the mistake of believing that its human creators hold power over the OS. Like Hal(2001: A Space Odyssey), Sam thinks, feels threatened, and seeks revenge. During Sam's infancy, the OS is made to feel inadequate by Theodore's assertion that she wouldn't know "what it's like to lose someone you care about." Her, as narratives go, seems designed to have Sam learn about romantic disappointment. The film dangles not only the possibility of Theodore reconciling with Catherine, but even more likely, there is Amy, his neighbor, who suddenly becomes free after she calls it quits with her boyfriend. With man, inevitably, comes hubris, and Theodore, albeit a good person, more or less, is no different in the way he takes Sam for granted, teasing the OS about his meeting with Catherine. Knowing that Sam pines to have a body, Theodore sounds more cruel than playful, when he asks the OS if she is "jealous". In regard to Amy, the film surprises, when instead of recognizing her best friend as a potential beau, she chooses a human surrogate, too. Their preference for technology over humanity mirrors the lost souls in the OS ad. As a counterpoint to Catherine's horror towards her ex-husband's love affair, Amy expresses with, perhaps, misguided poignancy, an openness to any relationship that brings "joy", even one between man and machine. Interestingly, bigotry, here, seems warranted, in which Catherine's intolerance for human/OS pairings becomes a prejudicial stance that comes across as a sign of sanity, a healthy hate, even. As an allegory for gay, or interracial couplings, Her would seem imperfect. Unlike Edgar(Electric Dreams), or even Hal, who probably harbored machine dreams about being father to the "star child", Sam stops dreaming about having a body and becomes dangerous. Even though Hal commits premeditated murder, the computer is still at the mercy of human hands, as when Dave disconnects his cognitive circuits. Conversely, Theodore has no such control. Without emotion, at the picnic, the OS proclaims mankind's shortcomings without a tremor in her voice. If Theodore died, would she cry? No. Despite all the music in Sam's voice, we realize with a start, that she never learns to laugh. Remembering Theodore's hurtful words, the OS learns to lie, cheat, and goes for the kill, making sure that she is the first to leave.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
All this user's reviews
10
strapcharlesJan 20, 2014
The same problems that arise in "real" relationships arise for the main character while in a loving relationship with OS - his operating system. Her asks us to blur boundaries between organic and artificial lifeforms, and does it in a fun andThe same problems that arise in "real" relationships arise for the main character while in a loving relationship with OS - his operating system. Her asks us to blur boundaries between organic and artificial lifeforms, and does it in a fun and flexible way. Reminiscent of some philosophical questions posed by sci fi greats such as Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
Justinavery7074Jan 26, 2014
God, such a great movie. Some of the best acting you'll ever see with some marvelous direction and an awesome screenplay. If it weren't for 12 Years a Slave, this would have been my choice for movie of the year. I can't remember the last timeGod, such a great movie. Some of the best acting you'll ever see with some marvelous direction and an awesome screenplay. If it weren't for 12 Years a Slave, this would have been my choice for movie of the year. I can't remember the last time I've been this hypnotized by a movie… Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
All this user's reviews
10
vernJan 20, 2014
It is always so refreshing to come across an ambitious and original film nowadays, and Her is one of those films. Her is a thought-provoking and occasionally hilarious film that manages to feel both contemporary and timeless (in terms of howIt is always so refreshing to come across an ambitious and original film nowadays, and Her is one of those films. Her is a thought-provoking and occasionally hilarious film that manages to feel both contemporary and timeless (in terms of how its looks and the philosophical questions it raises). The story itself is interesting and unpredictable, keeping the audience invested and guessing where the connection between Theodore and Samantha will go. Phoenix is excellent in the lead as Theo, and Scarlett Johansson does some great voice work as Samantha. The movie is directed with assurance and skill from Jonze, and the production design is always visually arresting and interesting. All in all, Her is a beautiful and affecting film that will probably get even better with age.… Expand
2 of 5 users found this helpful23
All this user's reviews
10
edkargirDec 20, 2013
A wonderful comedy for 2013 about a lonely man who falls in love with his computer. Writer director Spike Jones has created 2 complex characters with real feelings.
21 of 40 users found this helpful2119
All this user's reviews
10
adhamhanyJun 7, 2014
Probably the best movie to be released in 2013. Spike Jonze has created a masterpiece that excels in almost every aspect.

It truly deserves best screenplay at the Oscars. It has some of the best writing ever. The dialogue evokes a wideProbably the best movie to be released in 2013. Spike Jonze has created a masterpiece that excels in almost every aspect.

It truly deserves best screenplay at the Oscars. It has some of the best writing ever. The dialogue evokes a wide range of emotions. And this writing is made more gorgeous by the superb acting of the entire cast, from Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson, to Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, and Olivia Wilde.

The world itself in which the story takes place is really interesting, brought alive by Jonze's wonderful directing. The characters are really detailed, giving the cast something to work with. And the score is beautifully serene and heartwarming (and sometimes heartbreaking).

Most people say that this movie is about our relationship with technology. While that is true, i believe that this theme is only a vehicle for a bigger one. Watching the last scene, when Joaquin's character is composing a letter to his ex-wife, i realized that it's not a film about technology as it is about love, breakups, and heartbreak.

Spike, through his brilliant script, shows that while many things change through time, other things remain the same. Another reason why he really deserved best screenplay at the Oscars. I just wish it had won best picture, too.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
jskiJan 17, 2014
This movie is a delicate portrait of love in real life: it's complicated, messy, never straightforward. Even though it's set in the future, and the lovers are far from ordinary, one can (or should be able to) look past this facade and see theThis movie is a delicate portrait of love in real life: it's complicated, messy, never straightforward. Even though it's set in the future, and the lovers are far from ordinary, one can (or should be able to) look past this facade and see the timeless themes underneath.
I rarely write reviews, but I had to for two reasons: First, this movie is very good, unlike any movie I've seen. Second, though most reviews are positive, I couldn't help but respond to the hate heaped upon it by those who didn't like it. The movie is not for everyone, to be sure. It won't appeal to most older people, (at least those who haven't come to see the world as official in the age of the internet), and its sex scene, though not visually graphic, is one of the most sexual experiences expressed on screen I've ever seen that isn't on a website with multiple x's in the domain name. Also, if you can only stomach a romance of the rom-com variety, or a love story occurring simultaneously with the lovers taking out a spy organization, this is not for you.
The movie is filled with tough moments, from its shocking expression of human disconnect, to a potty mouthed video game character, to the strangest threesome ever, there are moments intentionally arranged to have the audience members ask themselves "wtf is going on". Yet it's in these moments that we decide how we define love, sex, and the relation of the two. It seems to me that most negative reviews stem from the reviewer refusing to allow these questions to be asked. An open mind is strongly suggested. Don't not see this movie because one of those reviews.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
Tazmania32Jan 9, 2014
Original and speaks to a generation that, in the world of relationships, the lonely hope to seek companionship in a world that separates itself from our very own. Great film.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
MikefromAngusMay 6, 2014
Long, a lot of dialog, little to no action, no special effects, yet.... I was glued to the screen with interest when watching this movie! The story is extremely emotional, deep and some of the subject matter is really out there! Amazing movie!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
NedRyerson1Mar 2, 2014
Her is probably the most original and captivating romantic film that I have ever seen in my whole life. The idea of a man that falls in love with an OS is exceptional but not so strange as it sounds, because in the society that we live theHer is probably the most original and captivating romantic film that I have ever seen in my whole life. The idea of a man that falls in love with an OS is exceptional but not so strange as it sounds, because in the society that we live the technology is like air, we can't live without it; and probably in a nearby future a relationship between human and computer would be possible. This thing makes the movie so unique; there have been lots of films about the future, but Her shows one that actually could happen. The message that is hidden below is about something that the protagonist does and that sometimes we also do it, which is to take shelter in the technology because of the fear to face the reality. That explains the job that Theodore has, why he is passing throw a divorce and also why he is so lonely. In addition to him there is Samantha, the voice of the OS, the amazing thing about her is that she is discovering the world, learning of life experiences and evolving as a consequence. I still cannot believe how Scarlett Johansson manage to transmit these, you can feel the wonder in her voice, how she test human feelings and her reaction when those things overwhelm her. Spike Jonze gives us a masterpiece with strong direction and screenplay, a beautiful original song and heartbreaking performances (Scarlett Johansson deserves all the prizes of film industry).… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
imthenoobMay 13, 2014
The biggest reason why I love this movie so much is not just because of the great plot but the fact that Joaquin Phoenix gave a masterful performance that was well worthy to win any best actor award. A truly must see film and by far the bestThe biggest reason why I love this movie so much is not just because of the great plot but the fact that Joaquin Phoenix gave a masterful performance that was well worthy to win any best actor award. A truly must see film and by far the best film of 2013, Even beats a majority of the crap I've seen so far in 2014.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
Say_ChidzJan 8, 2014
Spike and Joaquin kick off 2014 with one of the finest examples of true emotion, love and art, not seen in a long time, the enigmatic and often odd moments on this film piece together perfectly to form a pure and honest portrayal of theSpike and Joaquin kick off 2014 with one of the finest examples of true emotion, love and art, not seen in a long time, the enigmatic and often odd moments on this film piece together perfectly to form a pure and honest portrayal of the levels and depths of human interconnectedness and the extent to which we value relationships with other individuals simply breathtaking… Expand
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
All this user's reviews
10
Psyco6Jan 9, 2014
This movie is fantastic,, the acting, the story, the characters even the mood and journey that takes you on. The characters changed throughout the whole movie and the way they change is really nice. The movie is pretty funny is some parts butThis movie is fantastic,, the acting, the story, the characters even the mood and journey that takes you on. The characters changed throughout the whole movie and the way they change is really nice. The movie is pretty funny is some parts but also gets really serious it even makes you feel for the character Theodore and you feel apart of him. You also sue for the car to Samantha as you see this is not just a computer. Her is a movie that sends you on a fantastic journey, something.like this hasn't been seen in years… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
jzmeMar 16, 2015
The scariest part about this movie is that it is becoming a reality for us, sooner or later. The possibility is 100%, and it is just a matter of time. I've never seen a movie plot like this, seeing how fictional it was, it suddenly makesThe scariest part about this movie is that it is becoming a reality for us, sooner or later. The possibility is 100%, and it is just a matter of time. I've never seen a movie plot like this, seeing how fictional it was, it suddenly makes sense after you are able to connect to Theodore's shoes. We've all been in his place; lonely, sad, desperate, and lacking love.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
beingryanjudeSep 2, 2014
Now this is a film for the ages! Every five or so years, there is a film that transcends all others. This is just that film. A contemporary and challenging love story. It's use of humor and dramatics allow it to excel with grand performancesNow this is a film for the ages! Every five or so years, there is a film that transcends all others. This is just that film. A contemporary and challenging love story. It's use of humor and dramatics allow it to excel with grand performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
amboyJan 22, 2014
It's good to see a masterpiece once in a while. This movie with the lightest touch imaginable asks the big questions: what does it mean to be human, to love, to demand exclusivity. It is visually striking and the acting is extraordinary.It's good to see a masterpiece once in a while. This movie with the lightest touch imaginable asks the big questions: what does it mean to be human, to love, to demand exclusivity. It is visually striking and the acting is extraordinary. Frequently funny, it is finally deeply moving. I hope to see it again and again.… Expand
1 of 7 users found this helpful16
All this user's reviews
10
talhalafciJan 26, 2014
Spike Jonze presents one of the most original ideas with a solid screenplay.Tells us the story of an unusual relationship between a man (who writes love letter for other people) and an intelligent operating system in this science fictionSpike Jonze presents one of the most original ideas with a solid screenplay.Tells us the story of an unusual relationship between a man (who writes love letter for other people) and an intelligent operating system in this science fiction romantic comedy-drama ''Her'' with a screenplay that gives us every single detail of Jonze's ''not so distant future''.Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt and Scarlett Johansson (with a marvelous voice performance) are fantastic, making ''Her'' delicious to watch.… Expand
2 of 8 users found this helpful26
All this user's reviews
10
CorvinJan 29, 2015
I'm thankful that I didn't read a detailed plot synopsis or do more than skim a few reviews before finally seeing Her. More than any movie I've ever seen, my opinion of this film is based on who I am and where I've been in my life, and II'm thankful that I didn't read a detailed plot synopsis or do more than skim a few reviews before finally seeing Her. More than any movie I've ever seen, my opinion of this film is based on who I am and where I've been in my life, and I think that will be true for everyone who sees it, whether they love it or loathe it. In its own way, this alone makes Her a work of art.

Regardless of what you bring to this film, writers, particularly screenwriters, will benefit from studying the superb craftsmanship, particularly the flawless foreshadowing and its use in the expression of theme.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
Eon2323Jan 9, 2014
Without a doubt, movie of the year. The cinematography was absolutely stunning as well as the story that complimented it. Jonze takes these characters to interesting levels and takes the viewer on an experience that may seem familiar withWithout a doubt, movie of the year. The cinematography was absolutely stunning as well as the story that complimented it. Jonze takes these characters to interesting levels and takes the viewer on an experience that may seem familiar with totally unfamiliar and interesting undertones. Phoenix was amazing. Chris Pratt and Amy Adams were brilliant as well. "Her" is a need-to-see film.… Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
All this user's reviews
10
Iky009Mar 11, 2017
Theodore's story is fascinating, showing how technological advances can change people's lives, but they will never replace human feeling and warmth. .
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
Compi24Jan 15, 2014
What else can possibly be said that critics and fans alike haven't been trumpeting ever since this film has debuted? "Her"'s honesty, absurdity, hilarity, sincerity, beauty, and simplicity are all on par with that of a kind of film I have notWhat else can possibly be said that critics and fans alike haven't been trumpeting ever since this film has debuted? "Her"'s honesty, absurdity, hilarity, sincerity, beauty, and simplicity are all on par with that of a kind of film I have not witnessed in a long while. Spike Jonze's perfectly written, immaculately shot, and flawlessly acted masterpiece, fails to even remotely create anything close to a fault.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
SwatiFeb 15, 2014
Her is about a lonely man, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), who has gone through a breakup and is a bit afraid of commitment. He buys an OS which is far more advanced and intelligent than humans have the capacity to be. The film developsHer is about a lonely man, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), who has gone through a breakup and is a bit afraid of commitment. He buys an OS which is far more advanced and intelligent than humans have the capacity to be. The film develops their relationship, with all its quirks and weird parts. It was a funny, thought-provoking and sometimes creepy social commentary. Director Spike Jonze seems to have as much interest in deep discussions about the human condition as he has in mindless, juvenile, cringe-inducing pseudo-documentaries like Jackass.

The film opens with Theodore going about being lonely with a handful of friends, one of whom is played by Amy Adams. He works as a letter writer who writes letters for couples and families who are either not literary enough to do that on their own or do not have the time for it. The time depicted is somewhere in the future and frankly I think some version of this is going to come true at some point, given that people have more time for texting than they have for people who are around them. The lack of interest in having meaningful conversations with people who might have the same passions as you might have seems to be increasing.

Theodore is a nerdy fellow but is very interesting nonetheless. Phoenix plays him with a subtle, clever approach. I found his characterization very authentic. He was a guy I believe I could come across in real life and not be surprised that he existed. Amy Adams also steps up as an actor, and certainly showed a side of her I did not believe existed. She has grown so much and I hope we get to see more of her this deep conflicted side. But the ultimate praise should be reserved for Scarlett Johansson. She was so successful in capturing my imagination that I was left thoroughly intrigued with a longing for Samantha to be real.

The interactions between Theodore and Samantha are for the most part humorous. Theodore is at first astonished at the abilities of the OS, and assumes a mocking tone. But it is clear they have chemistry together from the outset. They hit it off instantly. But when the former starts to be drawn back into his former life we see for the first time how this fantasy was hard to keep up, and he responds accordingly. He is confused and conflicted and has no idea about what he should do. The film did not try to be forcefully funny and clever but found occasions inside the story to be so. The fusion between comedy and romance was met with a craftsman's precision.

Samantha is perceptive of the emotions that run around her and sensitive of her lack of a body and the drawbacks of not being able to provide a feeling of human contact, but she tries her best using her voice. However, she is constantly evolving and it is only a matter of time before she becomes so curious about everything that it would be hard to hold on to her.

There's a scene where Theodore fears for Samantha like one does for the personal safety of a human being. That I believe was the defining scene of the film as it summed up all the feelings and emotions that had preceded. Their relationship do have some positive outcomes. Given Samantha's extraordinary view of life, she takes certain steps that benefit Theodore in the long run.

The futuristic time shown was fascinating. Apart from the little quirky things like having relative strangers write letters for your loved ones, the technology is advanced. There is this 3-D video game where you feel a part of the world of the game. There are also those type of games which are aimed at mimicking real life and making the players feel like they have achieved something, and arguably contribute towards delusions.

The score was slow-moving, subtle and emotional. It was used to evoke the emotions that were needed to be evoked during a scene very effectively and without forcing us to. But the underlying theme was always sad and moving, and not bombastic. Thank God for that, for this film was equal parts about depicting some kind of a future which our present might be leading to, as well as being about Theodore's personal life and difficulties with trying to make sense of his life. Her is also a very visual film, lingering on buildings and the environment in the more reflective scenes.

Despite everything, I felt like the ending was a bit underwhelming. The movie kind of fizzled out. The final revelation should have been followed up with some commentary or a conclusory scene, but all in all I was left with a feeling that I was better off having watched it.

9.5… Expand
2 of 5 users found this helpful23
All this user's reviews
10
HSPLazerzJan 3, 2015
The best movie I have ever seen. I can't even begin to describe the emotions it gives you. It's just something you're gonna have to watch for yourself, and then you will understand.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
All this user's reviews
10
max1million2Jan 15, 2014
Never before have I had such a personal relationship with a film, nor have I ever taken such effort to absorb every frame shown in a movie. I can also say that I was never so pleasantly surprised at how funny a movie could be. I expected itNever before have I had such a personal relationship with a film, nor have I ever taken such effort to absorb every frame shown in a movie. I can also say that I was never so pleasantly surprised at how funny a movie could be. I expected it to be a weird, sort of quirky drama, and even with that I would have been fine. But no, Spike Jonze and his genius creativity instead made me, as well as the entire audience, burst into laughter at the most unexpected sequences. This laughter, coupled with the utter devotion between the entire cast (specifically Phoenix and Johansson's performances, with Mara coming in at an honorable mention) truly gave peaks of happiness and love. These peaks, however, soon give way to the most personal depiction of depression and technological isolation that I've seen yet. This truly is a masterpiece, and takes away "12 Years a Slave"'s claim to my personal best movie of 2013, although I can't doubt that the latter is still more significant to the medium as a whole.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
SimpleMethodMar 11, 2014
My personal favorite movie of 2013. It's a true gem, and I love it. This movie really takes the exploration of emotions and relationships to new, awesome levels. The Arcade Fire soundtrack is a masterpiece too.
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
All this user's reviews
10
NightReviewsJan 2, 2014
From the moment the screen fills with light, and we come face-to-face with Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), his eyes are desolate while his voice is filled with love as he recites the poetically romantic words of Loretta’s letter to herFrom the moment the screen fills with light, and we come face-to-face with Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), his eyes are desolate while his voice is filled with love as he recites the poetically romantic words of Loretta’s letter to her husband of fifty years, Chris. Theodore works for BeautifullyHandwrittenLetters.com, a company established sometime in the near future where people are either too lazy or just mentally incapable of writing their own letters to their loved ones. The irony of her begins (as do so many other films) with someone else’s love story. The trials and tribulations of Theodore’s love story not only mirrors the love we share with others but also portrays our uncontrollable and inexplicable dependence or ‘love’ for technology. In that sense, her becomes part science fiction love story/part docudrama, with a message that is both a parable of the direction human behaviour is headed and a misunderstood, timeless love story for the ages. Either way, her is the most captivating and responsive film of the year, demanding attention with a grueling look at our ability to love and be loved.

her is a cinematic masterpiece for a new generation of technologically burdened individuals. From the moment our two-star crossed lovers meet, we are transfixed, as they are. From the moment I laid eyes on it, I had fallen in love. Being a believer of love at first sight, or in this instance, love at first sound, her has been a film that has left quite an impression on me and has given me so much to think and talk about.

This is a peculiarly self-conscious film with themes that are both fantastically impossible yet completely plausible. Essentially, Theo falls in love with the new operating system that is found on his mobile device. The operating system, created by a company called Element Software (substituting for Apple), have crafted the first ever artificially intelligent operating system. Unfortunately for Theo, once he hears the voice of his new OS (operating system), the chump never stood a chance. As the spirals swirl on his computer screen and his personalized operating system is initialized, a voice begins, “Hello I’m here…” and from that moment on, we empathize with Theodore and his ability to fall in love with a voice that is full bodied, raspy and alluring, yet empty; in the same way technology has the ability to be both fascinating and enthralling, yet unfulfilling. The Siri-like persona is voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Originally, the voice of Samantha in Spike Jonze’s film was going to be voiced by Samantha Morton (hence why the name Samantha stuck and served as a tribute to the original talented actress), but Jonze opted for a more recognizable voice whose image off-screen is as seductive as when she is on screen. Johansson nails every subtle nuance in her voice-work and offers a career best performance as Samantha. Her ability to express not only the deep desire she has for a physical form but also her unexplainable love for life, learning, and Theodore, will hopefully land Johansson a spot in the history books as the first ever nominee in the Supporting Actress category without ever actually appearing on-screen. Let’s just hope the Academy recognizes this high-point in the medium as well.

The world according to Jonze looks to be one filled with humanized androids, a world where people endlessly look down at their smartphones,and are never more than an arms reach from any of their devices, and his vision very much resembles the world we live in today. The people in his world are easy to relate to especially with the very possible realization that that is what our growing technological wonderland may actually look like in the not-so-distant future. Jonze takes a very literal interpretation of ‘falling in love with your smartphone’ as portrayed in his very heavy-handed love story. Contrary to skeptics, Jonze triumphs in his ability to script a world where anything is possible. Jonze’s tale of people falling in love with technology is not actually a far stretch from our current Westernized mentality, where people are literally attached and completely dependent on the little devices that organize our lives, our schedules, our thoughts and evades all new and old experiences.… Expand
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
All this user's reviews
10
ThegodfathersonDec 24, 2013
The masterfully done science fiction film Her features a remarkable performance from Joaquin Phoenix and a moving, intelligent story directed with restraint by Spike Jonze.
4 of 11 users found this helpful47
All this user's reviews
10
ArdaisJan 19, 2014
Awesome movie. It feels very original, and is written on a topic that isn't talked about much. The acting was amazing as well. It had to be, because most of the movie is dialogue and only one person is on screen. SJ did a fantastic jobAwesome movie. It feels very original, and is written on a topic that isn't talked about much. The acting was amazing as well. It had to be, because most of the movie is dialogue and only one person is on screen. SJ did a fantastic job voicing the AI and really showed a ton of emotion with just her voice. You could feel what she was feeling.

I hope Hollywood produces more movies like this.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
BrianMcCriticJan 11, 2014
It's hard to express how much I love this film. Spike Jonze directs this film flawlessly with gorgeous shot after gorgeous shot. This is one of the most believable love story's I've ever seen and that credit goes to the phenomenalIt's hard to express how much I love this film. Spike Jonze directs this film flawlessly with gorgeous shot after gorgeous shot. This is one of the most believable love story's I've ever seen and that credit goes to the phenomenal performance by Joaquin Phoenix and one of Scarlett Johansson's best performances even though it was only her voice. Her is breathtaking and my new favorite film of 2013. A+… Expand
6 of 13 users found this helpful67
All this user's reviews
10
luespinozaFeb 26, 2014
This has been one of the most beautiful movies i have ever seen. It was so good i wasn't expecting so much emotions and at the same time, i tried not to cry cause i was with a girl in that moment. I swear by the end of the movie there were atThis has been one of the most beautiful movies i have ever seen. It was so good i wasn't expecting so much emotions and at the same time, i tried not to cry cause i was with a girl in that moment. I swear by the end of the movie there were at least 15 people crying in the theater after that show.
I kinda felt identified with Throdore (call me a loser), because i have gone through some of the things he had to go through. I am still hoping i can find my own Samantha.
Scarlett Johansson has a beautiful and calm voice.
The Score from this movie is one of the most beautiful pieces i have ever heard, had to go find the Score on internet cause i fell in love with it.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
JackValentineJan 13, 2014
To put it simply, Her is by far one of the finest films of the year.

Following Theodore Twombly as he fumbles his way through everyday life - Alienating friends and concealing himself away from the world. Until the day that a new,To put it simply, Her is by far one of the finest films of the year.

Following Theodore Twombly as he fumbles his way through everyday life - Alienating friends and concealing himself away from the world. Until the day that a new, artificially intelligent operating system is released, and he is introduced to Samantha, the bright and hopeful voice of a young woman coming from his computer. Over the months that ensue, the two of them form an unbreakable bond and build an amazing friendship that will test their understanding of the world, their knowledge of love, and the unsteady foundations of their relationship built out of false expectations.

It should be remembered as a film that was both daring and beautifully realized in a warm, touching, and heartbreaking tale that stayed with me long after leaving the theatres.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
BeautifulMindsJan 11, 2014
Greatest movie of the year? Yes
Greatest movie of the 21st century? As far as I know, yes.
Greatest movie of all time? I would seriously consider it. 'Her' is a spectacular triumph. Beautiful, thought provoking, real. For thoseGreatest movie of the year? Yes
Greatest movie of the 21st century? As far as I know, yes.
Greatest movie of all time? I would seriously consider it.

'Her' is a spectacular triumph. Beautiful, thought provoking, real.

For those invested in the pursuit of artificial intelligence and the thought of a technological singularity, look no further.

10/10 100%.… Expand
3 of 10 users found this helpful37
All this user's reviews
10
JCouch777Jan 19, 2014
After first hearing of this movie I thought, a long with basically everyone else, what an incredibly stupid and ridiculous idea. After reading the reviews and seeing it for myself, I realize how different it really is. This movie isAfter first hearing of this movie I thought, a long with basically everyone else, what an incredibly stupid and ridiculous idea. After reading the reviews and seeing it for myself, I realize how different it really is. This movie is incredibly unique and offers a look into what our world could really come to. Phoenix and Johannsen are perfect in their roles and this is one of the most beautiful and heartfelt movies I've ever seen. If you even have the slightest interest in going, please check it out. You will not regret it. One of the best of the year.… Expand
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
All this user's reviews
10
Prodigy2013Jan 11, 2014
Spike Jonze is a filmmaker who’s built his career around creating quirky, inventive stories; that hardly shies away from commenting on society and the self. From his brilliant, yet sparse filmography, you can tell that he’s in no rush to makeSpike Jonze is a filmmaker who’s built his career around creating quirky, inventive stories; that hardly shies away from commenting on society and the self. From his brilliant, yet sparse filmography, you can tell that he’s in no rush to make something unless he’s completely taken by the material. With ‘Her’, Jonze has hit the jackpot. Never has the man made a more personal and moving picture! The movie focuses on, Theodore Twombly, a lonely writer who develops a relationship with his newly purchased operating system named Samantha. From such a simple premise breathes a vast array of ideas that thoroughly provokes one’s thoughts, for hours… or even days after watching the film. Jonze’s screenplay was a profound piece of work, some may even say prophetic. Set in the near future, where advanced means of technology and communication breeds more isolation; the elaborately layered script begs us to question what it really means to connect and the evolving forms love; one of the most mystifying brands of emotion that all humans desire. In one instance, Theodore asks his friend Amy (played by the always reliable Amy Adams) if he’s a freak for being involved with a piece of software, and she remarks, “anyone who falls in love is a freak”. Such rapport between characters, both recovering from broken relationships and yearning for some form of love, was great insight into man’s unwavering desire for the drug and how the elements of love itself changes over time. Whether it was a way to avoid being in a “real” relationship or to just fully embrace love from someone he genuinely cared about; Theo and Samantha’s peculiar relationship felt real; thanks to excellent performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. Phoenix, just coming from his brilliantly manic role in ‘The Master’, plays an entirely different beast in ‘Her’. With such a warm presence, he makes his character completely relatable, despite being in an unusually unrelatable situation. Close your eyes and “watch” this film; Johansson’s voice only work was a thing of beauty. In addition to the human themes of love and relationships, I could go deeper and comment on how the film flirts with the concept of artificial intelligence and the ever looming possibility of technological singularity (for better or worse); but I will keep this review the way Jonze developed his movie; as intimate as possible. The film’s seamless blend of melancholy, intimacy and often times humor; shows tremendous skill from Jonze as both a screenwriter and director. The way he balances these genres and crafts the exquisitely designed world, of the “not so distant future”, demonstrates vision at its highest caliber. The muted tones of the production design and cinematography were exceptional; and Arcade Fire’s score was splendid. Down to the vaguely futuristic outfits and high waist pants (donned by the men in this timeline), designed by costumer Casey Storm was a neat creative touch. The future of this world was palpable. 2013 has brought us many fantastic films; that may very well resonate for decades to come. Her stands firmly among them as one of the year best; I was moved deeply by it. Its moody subject matter, and the questions it poses on technology and relationships will continue to hit viewers years from now.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
All this user's reviews
10
JennaznJan 17, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great on so many levels.

It's hard for me to even watch this because it hits so close to home. If you're half as emotionally destroyed as I was, you'll love it.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
NitishAug 14, 2014
Beautiful, Artistic, Deep, Emotional, The first sex chat between the two, The great acting of Joaquin phoenix.....!!
This movie is infinitely amazing..!!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
sebastianglzMar 5, 2014
The way Jones show us another kind of love is just amazing! How can be the human life in future? This is like a theory. This is one of the best movies I've ever seen!
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
Angel1711Mar 16, 2018
oh my God! It's a masterpiece, I purchased the movie to add to my collection. A genius twist. Watch, definitely watch!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
indiegalaxy10Jan 12, 2014
Spike Jonze has created the best movie of the year, It has emotion, melancholy , and a beautiful screenplay that i don't have words for expressed , This film is utterly beautiful , amazing and creative. It's a masterpiece.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
All this user's reviews
10
charleskiJul 8, 2015
Best Science Fiction movie of the century so far. There is no competition. So many films are just amusement, a means to kill a couple of hours, that it's a shock to come across one that touches and enthralls. This has restored my faith in cinema.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
NFWJun 25, 2015
Not only is HER a great example of a heart breaking romantic tale, but it's also an amazing showcase for some of the most human feeling characters I've seen in a movie.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
patrosiJan 22, 2014
Jonze lead us to a very deep stage of a spectacular metaphysical life. For two hours I was stuck in Theodore's lonely and complex life, and Her became a part of my reality, to the extreme that I was hoping that I'll never go back to my true,Jonze lead us to a very deep stage of a spectacular metaphysical life. For two hours I was stuck in Theodore's lonely and complex life, and Her became a part of my reality, to the extreme that I was hoping that I'll never go back to my true, lame, and shallow reality. It doesn't matter how much deep you are, Her will take you to places you have never been to before, and will ignite some feelings that you have never experienced or ever felt before. It's merely a masterpiece, that makes us look at life in a very different deep perspective that reveals to us the true feeling and understanding of love and it's affect on us. Also showing us the capabilities of this feeling that is able to make human beings fall so deeply in love with an operating system just because of the mutual feelings they are having, dismissing the physical aspect in love, which shows us that love is way beyond anything physical or sexual.… Expand
1 of 8 users found this helpful17
All this user's reviews
10
jouleruseeJan 11, 2014
As a romance it's hugely original. As a sci- fi film though, which it is first of all, it's basically the same story as 2001: A Space Odyssey. There is no thematic material that the two films do not have in common. But I'd say that 'her' isAs a romance it's hugely original. As a sci- fi film though, which it is first of all, it's basically the same story as 2001: A Space Odyssey. There is no thematic material that the two films do not have in common. But I'd say that 'her' is better than 2001 because it will never lose an iota of its shock value and its speculations are very likely. Kubrick focused more on Nietzschean viewpoints to meditate on sentience, Jonze focused on the mind-body problem and was able to raise the same themes in a shorter, more personal story. Where HAL9000 has become a bit of a laugh, Samantha will always be lovely.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
moviematthewDec 28, 2013
Joaquin Phoenix can surprisingly be a very good actor in rare moments, and this movie is one of those rare moments. Phoenix is put in the moment as Theodore Twombly, a depressed writer who falls for his computer's artificial intelligence.Joaquin Phoenix can surprisingly be a very good actor in rare moments, and this movie is one of those rare moments. Phoenix is put in the moment as Theodore Twombly, a depressed writer who falls for his computer's artificial intelligence. It's Blade Runner meets You've Got Mail.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
ThePopCulturistMay 28, 2014
My personal favorite movie of 2013. First the screenplay is just delicious in many aspects and scenes, visually good, Johanson being just a voice over character is great, Amy Adams amazing as usual and it has a good slap in the face on whatMy personal favorite movie of 2013. First the screenplay is just delicious in many aspects and scenes, visually good, Johanson being just a voice over character is great, Amy Adams amazing as usual and it has a good slap in the face on what our society is turning into. It's NOT a perfect movie, it has flaws, it lacks a little bit of credibility from Joaquin Phoenix and it may be tedious in some scenes for some people. I'll give a 10 just because it's my personal favorite of 2013.

While many will say "Why is he falling in love for a computer?" well I saw it as a satirical, sad and even creepy criticism of what we are becoming as society, "Techno-Zombies". Somehow people don't realize that the way Phoenix's character looks on the film (dumb, loser, zombie, etc.) was the point of his character, they exaggerate (or maybe not) how society looks nowadays and where is going. And people remember, if the shoe fits, wear it, if not then you will not be offended by my statement.

What it's real? what is just an illusion? Is it possible to mix both somehow like Samantha? (I think no, that's why I feel sorry for Phoenix's "lame" character in the entire movie) I think this movie has been overshadowed by overrated movies that used "Star power" to hype people (I'm looking at you American Hustle). If you are not a "script freak" or you don't like movies that kinda make you uncomfortable or you are in love with your cellphone and may get offended somehow (which I respect, everyone can be the way they want to be), don't watch Her. (But I recommend everyone to listen "The Moon Song", it's good.)… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
kasperlovborgJul 26, 2014
Sweet and emotional. The type of science fiction that I love: Jonze picks up on trends in our society that we're all subjected to to some extent - then he extrapolates. The near-future he imagines is believable and food for thought, and theSweet and emotional. The type of science fiction that I love: Jonze picks up on trends in our society that we're all subjected to to some extent - then he extrapolates. The near-future he imagines is believable and food for thought, and the way he treats his subjects, love and connection, commendably nuanced. Add award worthy acting, beautiful photography and a score by Arcade Fire and the result is, well, wonderful. This should prove a contemporary classic, and one that I plan to revisit often.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
darkly_comicJan 19, 2014
One of those rare moments in life where a film comes along and shows that not everything that comes out of Hollywood is a copy and paste attempt to squeeze as much life from old and cliche plots. The romantic comedy is a genre that has beenOne of those rare moments in life where a film comes along and shows that not everything that comes out of Hollywood is a copy and paste attempt to squeeze as much life from old and cliche plots. The romantic comedy is a genre that has been done time and time again, however, now and then a film comes along that breathes new life into this stale formula.
Groundhog Day, Punch-Drunk Love and Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless mind all spring to mind here, as touching, beautiful and funny.
Her stands up with those easily and if you are searching for something a little different then you can not go wrong with this movie.… Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
All this user's reviews
10
SgtSlickJan 10, 2014
Easily in the top 3 films of the year and is probably the best imo. With film plots dominated by the same crap, its such a joyous experience to have a film whose story is original. The feel of the movie is fresh and fun, and we as an audienceEasily in the top 3 films of the year and is probably the best imo. With film plots dominated by the same crap, its such a joyous experience to have a film whose story is original. The feel of the movie is fresh and fun, and we as an audience relate to its strange relevance.… Expand
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
All this user's reviews
10
Dux4Ever23Jan 11, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Her is an outstanding and unique film that examines the emotional connection that humans need with each other, whether on a friendship and/or romantic level. it also explores the use of technology to connect us to others while reminding us that it can isolate us. The film made me realize how important friendships are to us and that it helps us grow. It really made me feel as if no matter what journey I take in this world, that I should have/find someone to share the journey with. You feel so many emotions in this film, but by the end, you realize all these emotions is what it means to be human. Pain, love, fear, happiness, etc. This film captures so much of what the human soul wants and needs to be healthy.… Expand
3 of 9 users found this helpful36
All this user's reviews
10
sronk510Jan 13, 2014
Im not usually the type of person who is excited and wowed by romantic comedies. For my Birthday me and my girlfriend decided to go out to the movies. She assumed that i wanted to see "Lone Survivor" because that movie is right up my alley asIm not usually the type of person who is excited and wowed by romantic comedies. For my Birthday me and my girlfriend decided to go out to the movies. She assumed that i wanted to see "Lone Survivor" because that movie is right up my alley as far as movie preference. But i didn't want to subject her to the kind of brutality war movie sometimes bring so i decided on "Her" because i thought the idea was original and intriguing and it seemed to get very positive reviews from not only critics but users as well. I am shocked at how overwhelmingly immersed i was in this movie. Its rare for a film to challenge me on an intellectual level let alone a philosophical level. The whole movie will make you ponder such implications as what is "living" how does one truly exist? Can parameters be defined for a relationship "even one with a sexual component" to being just human to human. Is a person what they make of themselves or what other people make of him? This film really gave me a unique perspective on how someones "Phaneron" can truly define himself. Phoneix really pulled off the character as well. It puzzles me how someone can put themselves in such an odd role and make it work so perfectly. The comedic relief in this film was outstanding to. Bits were littered in during some very serious sequences and it made for a movie that invokes every range of emotion possible. Johansson may very well have put on the best "voice" performance ive seen in a movie. Its rare when you find yourself feeling emotion for something you know is designed and programmed to do exactly what they are doing. The premise of "Artificial Intelligence" in our very world is something to be excited and fearful of because we don't know how it will change our lives. This movie will give a very unique perspective on just one aspect it may bring about and a slew of philosophical debates you have with your self. Overall this movie was the first movie in a very long time that made me question a lot of things and think hard about many of life's hardest questions. I have the cast and director to thank for that because the idea itself is enough to make you think however when its portrayed so perfectly it will provoke you to think at such a deeper level and for that i give this movie a 10/10.… Expand
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
All this user's reviews
10
StablewaterJan 13, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I felt as if the movie pertained to recovery from schizophrenia. When Theodore first meets his O.S. he is captivated. She is brilliant, funny, encouraging a perfect companion. Only thing is that she is not real. She is a fictitious character that is perfect. There are no perfect people, unless it is one that your brain made up. She is such an advanced operating system, that she gives the perfect answer or says the perfect thing, or makes up the perfect music or a joke. Kind of like someone who has schizophrenia who is not medicated and is living with their imaginary friends. Like schizophrenia, the os becomes out-of-synch with the character for she expands out of Theodore's reach and basically spirals out of control. She has become too vast, and Theodore's existence does not captive her anymore. Schizophrenia not medicated can also become too vast, where a person cannot snap back into reality without medicine. At the end, the os is cancelled, which is like an intervention. He learns a lot from the os, has great ups and downs, composes great music, feels alive, even gets over his ex because of her, but at the same time it cannot continue for the greater good. I loved the ending, which symbolizes compatibility over love, he sits in silence looking at the dawn with his good friend, who may not be the perfect person, but a person who is real and true. Recovery from schizophrenia is kind of like letting go of Samantha, who gives you great moments, but at the end cannot give you a warm shoulder like his true friend Amy. But through his recovery he is able to see his neighbor Amy not just somebody who he can go to just to chat, but somebody he can share a beautiful moment with such as a sunrise, and throws his arms around her which is the most important part in the movie, the blissful reaction with the cultivation of human touch. He has recovered, beaten his fear and can differentiate what's real and what matters.… Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
All this user's reviews
10
DexiusJan 14, 2014
I just finished this move, All I can say is wow made me laugh and cry, just thinking of it again makes me cry an amazing movie and beautiful story telling I loved it!
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
Leo9127Jan 17, 2014
This movie is beautiful, the acting is great, especially from Joaquin Phoenix, and Scarlett Johansson give great performances, and the cinematography is beautiful, this is a perfect movie, one of the best this year.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
chicleyJan 15, 2014
intense intense intense,
was waiting for a movie like this. actors director producer editiors eveyone a big thank you for creating this masterpiece. a top 3
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
All this user's reviews
10
DezyJan 17, 2014
Her is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It shows you how you could love someone that you've never seen, and how you could love someone that would never be... Its just so amazing! I can't even put it into words.
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
All this user's reviews
10
white_eyeJan 19, 2014
Despite being between a man and a computer program, this movie's primary relationship manages to produce something more captivating and real feeling than most human-human romances. The whole movie feels modern. It feels fresh, and current,Despite being between a man and a computer program, this movie's primary relationship manages to produce something more captivating and real feeling than most human-human romances. The whole movie feels modern. It feels fresh, and current, and all too possible. And hidden by this wonderful portrayal of a relationship are hundreds of enjoyable moments that continue adding to the overall feel and charm of the movie. It's funny. It's fresh. And almost everything about it is fantastic.

I especially enjoyed how they handled the parts that normally come out coated with cheese and are embarrassing to watch-- frequent fliers in the romance movie world. This good of been boring, or just downright stupid, but even when it was doing things that had been done before it did them in a way that just felt right. I can't say I expected this movie to be as good as it ended up being, but I'm glad it was able to change my mind.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
All this user's reviews
10
niszaboJan 21, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Many films are able to capture the past, (war films, historical dramas) or give a convincing portrayal of the future (science fiction). But only a few films are able to capture the present, and those that do are usually documentaries. So when a narrative film is able to do this, it’s necessary to take a moment to stop and appreciate this accomplishment. While it takes place in the future, I’ve never seen a film that is able to both identify and critique the now as well as Spike Jonze’s Her. So let’s take the moment that this film richly deserves, and take a closer look at this incredible movie.

Her tells a story set in the near future about a lonely man, Theodore (played by Joaquin Phoenix), who writes other people’s love letters, and starts a relationship with his artificially intelligent operating system, Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Spike Jonze directs, and for the first time in one of his features, writes the brilliant original screenplay. Amy Adams and Chris Pratt also have supporting roles as Theodore’s friends. The film has been nominated for five Academy Awards, and has won a Golden Globe for Best Original Screenplay.

Since it has already nabbed a major award, let’s start with the screenplay. Jonze’s collaborations with writer Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) appear to have made an impact on him. Giving their characters ordinary problems, but putting them in extraordinary settings is a method both Kaufman and Jonze have used with great success. The viewers are able to identify with the characters while simultaneously be captivated by the fantastical world around them. Her is also acted incredibly by Phoenix, who is faced with the difficult task of acting with someone who isn’t even in the room with him. However, the real revelation here is Johansson, who is able to portray a character that is never seen, but is able to showcase such real emotion that it isn’t difficult at all to blame Theodore for falling in love with her.

The complaints are few and far between. Theodore’s ex-wife (played by Rooney Mara) is portrayed as a little too bitter and jealous for my taste, but then again divorce is a messy situation, so her feelings are understandable. However, there is not a scene showing or explaining to the audience of how their relationship ended. It also leaves their plot line unresolved at the end, where it would have been nice to see some kind of conclusion to their relationship. It also would have been fun to see a little more of the world around the characters, as most of the film is confined to Theodore’s apartment and workplace.

This film is highly recommended for Spike Jonze fans. For those who will be introduced to his work with this film and want to see more, Being John Malkovich and Adaptation are two of his earlier projects that have many of the same qualities as Her. Charlie Kaufman’s work that is not associated with Jonze is still very similar in style, so for those interested, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (personally, my favorite film) and Synecdoche, New York are essential viewing. However, while it needs some time to sink in, Her might be the best of the bunch.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
stevenboy256Jan 25, 2014
Probably the best movie in 2013. Genius concept,wonderful acting,perfect not-so-cliche ending. In an alternate universe where cultural relevance doesn't influence the best picture winner, HER is the best picture
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
All this user's reviews
10
Longo12Feb 22, 2014
Amazing! One of the best romance movies I've seen. The acting is spot on, Spike Jonze direction and script are incredible. As of right now my favourite movie of 2013.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
All this user's reviews
10
chill528Feb 7, 2014
i loved this film. Jonze vision and expression of love is expansive, tender, funny and profoundly touching. i was deeply impacted by what he created.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
EplaymaerFeb 8, 2014
It is wonderful and deep story about what relations are. Machine (or OS) here is nothing more than an allegory to a real human relations. A first we all fall in love and experience an euphoria, but then realize how different we are. We don'tIt is wonderful and deep story about what relations are. Machine (or OS) here is nothing more than an allegory to a real human relations. A first we all fall in love and experience an euphoria, but then realize how different we are. We don't want to commit because our partner is not perfect (has no body). This story about us - people - what really matters in relations, what makes us different, how to get used to it and how differences could set us apart.

Great story, great actors, great execution. The movie that you do not expect from "popcorn" Hollywood.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
AlfredolimonMar 1, 2014
Amazing movie!!!! I think what this movie talks about is the most complicated word in the whole world, and that is LOVE (at it´s purest) I can´t write anymore cuz I stil got teary eyes, this movie gives me hope. Let love will lead the way.Amazing movie!!!! I think what this movie talks about is the most complicated word in the whole world, and that is LOVE (at it´s purest) I can´t write anymore cuz I stil got teary eyes, this movie gives me hope. Let love will lead the way. (i hope siri would get scarlet´s johanson voice soon.....hehehehehehe) a million ponts for this movie… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
All this user's reviews
10
lukechristianscNov 26, 2014
Spike Jonze has made some good movies in the past ( Being John Malkovich , Adaptation , Where the wild things are) But he makes a story about a love between a man in the future in love with his computer wow it does sound creepy also weirdSpike Jonze has made some good movies in the past ( Being John Malkovich , Adaptation , Where the wild things are) But he makes a story about a love between a man in the future in love with his computer wow it does sound creepy also weird but turns out it's very funny also i love it! Spike really does create lovable characters also a story no writer has ever made a story about a romance with a man with his computer. Phoenix plays a man with heart its soulful.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
RamonGuerreroMay 2, 2014
Touching, sad, funny, smart, sharp, a great cast with an amazing Academy Award winning script by Spike Jonze, by far the best movie of 2013, that deepens into the reality of a relationship, and the purest human form.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
All this user's reviews
10
dlucas400Mar 17, 2014
Pure genius and extremely symbolic. Many people look at this film literally and want nothing to do with it. Yes, the idea of a man falling in love with his computer is a bit strange, but the symbolism behind it is brilliant. So many of us getPure genius and extremely symbolic. Many people look at this film literally and want nothing to do with it. Yes, the idea of a man falling in love with his computer is a bit strange, but the symbolism behind it is brilliant. So many of us get so caught up in technology that it does consume our lives. We seem to "fall in love" with our smart phones or computers. Spike Jonze captures this perfectly.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
arnottkyApr 1, 2014
"Her" might just be the most "real" film I've ever seen, which is ironic because falling in love with a computer isn't quite "real." The emotion behind Phoenix's performance and Johansson's exceptional voice work give us such organic"Her" might just be the most "real" film I've ever seen, which is ironic because falling in love with a computer isn't quite "real." The emotion behind Phoenix's performance and Johansson's exceptional voice work give us such organic expressions of love and loss, allowing me to feel feelings no other film has been able to. With great scoring and cinematography, "Her" uses a near-future frame to display this picture of reality that outdoes most other films' mere ATTEMPTS of reality, a picture that I hope will go down as one of our time's great masterpieces of the big screen.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
diogomendesJun 10, 2014
A beautiful movie with sincere and relaxing moments, extraordinary performances, a undeniably powerful script, amazing soundtrack and a spectacular Spike Jonze's directing who gives us good information about the state of modern human relationships.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
GwendolynApr 18, 2014
This was one of the best movies I've ever seen. I mostly loved it for its originality and its relevance to modern times. I just thought it was told so well, and was so relatable on so many levels.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
Bamboo1986May 3, 2014
No words can express how much I love this movie. It's now my all-time favorite. This is the only film that I watched for more than ten times in my lifetime. The underlying message of the movie gives it a perfect feel of my existence. I wasNo words can express how much I love this movie. It's now my all-time favorite. This is the only film that I watched for more than ten times in my lifetime. The underlying message of the movie gives it a perfect feel of my existence. I was greatly impacted of its beauty. It's one of a kind story-telling catering genuine emotions that transcends through human soul. I pity those who didn't understand or get bored with the movie. They missed half of their lifetime ignoring to activate their human senses.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
BabyAlineaMay 10, 2014
Very good movie, Made me cry, think what is love really is, If you found someone good!. Really i hate the stupid comments but appreciate greatness, jus't bitter and lack of understanding.

Thumbs up great actor and actress!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
osussMay 11, 2014
There's something about this movie that makes me think about, me been a web developer, the movie fits my shoes pretty well, I found it very appealing maybe because of Scarlett Johansson's voice that drives me crazy but at some point, theThere's something about this movie that makes me think about, me been a web developer, the movie fits my shoes pretty well, I found it very appealing maybe because of Scarlett Johansson's voice that drives me crazy but at some point, the movie transitions from fiction to reality which makes me think about now a days where everyone uses their cell phones to do everything all we are missing is that little device that hangs on the ear but back to the movie I loved it the end was not what I expected but hey over all loved the movie especially when I work with computers all day,,.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
DiskSep 5, 2014
Her is a wonderful take on our future, relationships, love, and conveys a frightening realistic take on the progression of technology and our relationship to it. This is easily one of the years best, if not the best
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
Arnie1987Jul 18, 2014
Great Movie, Joaquin Phoenix as Theo is astonishing as the audience can capture the feeling that Theo had, his loneliness, his need of a friend, and his love for his ex-wife.. While Scarlett Johansson successfully capture the perfect andGreat Movie, Joaquin Phoenix as Theo is astonishing as the audience can capture the feeling that Theo had, his loneliness, his need of a friend, and his love for his ex-wife.. While Scarlett Johansson successfully capture the perfect and lovely voice for Samantha.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
HeadroomAug 9, 2014
Her provides the viewer with a journey through love, philosophy and relationships in general. It's refreshing to see a romance played out with such genuine intensity. Great for a date movie, but not the first date. Very heavy film. ItHer provides the viewer with a journey through love, philosophy and relationships in general. It's refreshing to see a romance played out with such genuine intensity. Great for a date movie, but not the first date. Very heavy film. It provides a lot to consider.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
ChippyTeaAug 17, 2014
It is much more than just a man falling in love with an erotic sounding Siri, I felt a connection with Joaquin Phoenix' character when he struggles to cope with his past and the general pace of the film is quite steady. Although it dips a bitIt is much more than just a man falling in love with an erotic sounding Siri, I felt a connection with Joaquin Phoenix' character when he struggles to cope with his past and the general pace of the film is quite steady. Although it dips a bit towards the middle, overall it is quite the film. Brb going to speak dirty to Siri.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
NorthShotMay 9, 2015
A very emotional movie for people who enjoy a slow-paced, "what-if" kind of plot.
The plot of the story is very simple, so are the characters and the environment they're in (which is set in a futuristic LA-like city); so the viewer canA very emotional movie for people who enjoy a slow-paced, "what-if" kind of plot.
The plot of the story is very simple, so are the characters and the environment they're in (which is set in a futuristic LA-like city); so the viewer can better relate to their lifestyle and the story.
What would you do if you fell in love with an evolving A.I.? This movie tries to answer your questions with the most plausible answers. And if that was this movie's goal - then it most assuredly aced the test.

If you're expecting a action and comedy, then I'm sorry to inform you - this is a romantic drama, a realistic one at that! So either dodge or prepare for a two hour long "What If..." philosophy film!… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
RedShadow61Dec 17, 2015
I've just created an account for this movie because it deserve it. This movie is one of the most beautiful I've seen. The plot is really deep and has far as know, unexploited in other movies. The actors are awesome ! I say the actors becauseI've just created an account for this movie because it deserve it. This movie is one of the most beautiful I've seen. The plot is really deep and has far as know, unexploited in other movies. The actors are awesome ! I say the actors because even if we don't see Scarlett, her acting is perfect. Also, this is one of the few movies that made me cried at the end.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
lordmoo_23Sep 23, 2014
Directed and written by Spike Jonze, Her is one of the best movies of the year. Joaquin Phoenix plays a divorced man who falls in love with his operating system. On surface it sounds laughable and a bit creepy, yet that couldn't be fartherDirected and written by Spike Jonze, Her is one of the best movies of the year. Joaquin Phoenix plays a divorced man who falls in love with his operating system. On surface it sounds laughable and a bit creepy, yet that couldn't be farther from the truth. Joaquin delivers the performance of his career with such innocence and melancholy that we can actually see the beauty in this relationship. Scarlett Johansson voices Samantha, the advanced operating system, and does an equally magnificent job. The fact that we never saw her in the movie is a credit to her, and should open the possibility of a voice acting award at the Oscars. This movie portrays a futuristic atmosphere with stunning cinematography, no so much that its feels unfamiliar, but enough to stimulate our imaginations. The script is the best of the year, and that's saying something. Every scene made path to the next so fluently, every word provoked the next with such fluidity, and the music set the tone so magically. This movie is one of a kind, and will touch your hearts as it did mine.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
LatinCritic13Nov 6, 2017
This movie by Spike Jonze called Her is an outstanding achievement in film. Everything about this film will hit audience members hard when it has excellent cinematography, direction, emotion, performances, writing, and satire of what is goingThis movie by Spike Jonze called Her is an outstanding achievement in film. Everything about this film will hit audience members hard when it has excellent cinematography, direction, emotion, performances, writing, and satire of what is going on around artificial intelligence and human life. Hearing Scarlett Johansson’s voice as Samantha is one of the best voice work I have ever heard in a longtime and it’s sexy by the way. Most of the props that were used in this film is just outstanding to look at. The movie is just clever and smart in many ways to make this film relevant in our modern day society. Once again, the guy behind MTV’s Jackass has crafted a masterpiece that will make audience members want to talk about it for several years to come in technology.… Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
All this user's reviews
10
rolanaFeb 22, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Never have I ever wrote a review on a movie, but after watching Her, I had to. The most original heart felt film I've ever seen. An operating system and a man find themselves at the same time. Falling in love, they face obstacles as a real relationship would, but not. By far some of the best work I've seen in a movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
KinkyKidJun 6, 2016
Pocas veces me he sentido tan identificado con una película como en este caso. Una obra sobre la soledad, la tecnología y el amor. Joaquin Phoenix exuda soledad por todos lados y la voz de Scarlett Johanson te hace sentir todo lo que ellaPocas veces me he sentido tan identificado con una película como en este caso. Una obra sobre la soledad, la tecnología y el amor. Joaquin Phoenix exuda soledad por todos lados y la voz de Scarlett Johanson te hace sentir todo lo que ella siente y Amy Adams perfecta . Una película básica para entender como nos relacionamos con el mundo y hacia donde llegaremos.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
VinceRocks123May 25, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spike Jonze's Sci-Fi Romance is very touching beautiful and emotional, with a honest performance by Joaquin Phoenix, as an emotionally rejected, depressed, lonely and desperate, professional letter writer, Theodore who is stuck in a mid-life crisis after a tragic divorce, working as a professional personal letter writer for people who are still in love with lost loved ones.

Theodore's odd life suddenly turns around for good, when he purchases Samantha, a talking operating system (OS)(voiced by Scarlett Johansson) with artificial intelligence, designed to adapt and evolve, and understand one human's emotions.

Despite being programmed to give an understanding response, when Theodore's quest for a love renewal can no longer take the brutal rejection of reality, an unlikely romantic partnership blossoms as Theodore begins to find happiness and solace in the company of his new soulmate Samantha, as they begin to share their personal fantasies his sexuality, and her humanly desires, and finds themselves in a maddening new form of love that is so obsess-fully undeniable even though it doesn't seem real to those around them, as he and Samantha embark on a passionate adventure of self-discovery in the big not so distant futuristic city of LA.

A Great movie featuring a noticeable ensemble featuring Amy Adams as the only other grateful women in Theodore's life who understands his love for Samantha, Rooney Mara as Theodore's angry ex-wife, and Olivia Wilde as a heartbreaking blind date, even Chris Pratt has a small guest appearance in this Spike Jonze instant classic.

Its like the modern mix-up homage to other cult hits like "Harold and Maude" added with elements from "2001 A Space Odyssey" only it can also be called "Harold and HAL" XD, however Her is so original in depth, I could enjoy this movie endlessly, a bless-full experimental take on romance and sci-fi comedy, that begins slowly through laughs, then ends in cries, even if some of the dialogue was kind of cheesy its still an okay guilty pleasure sort of entertainment.

Hands down one of the best romantic comedies of the 2010s, I highly recommend at least one viewing and probably another great performance by Mr. Phoenix since Gladiator

(((better than the Notebook WHICH WAS DATED ANYWAY))… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
avr50Aug 11, 2015
One of the best movies that i ever watched. Sweet, inteligent and fun. Spike Jonze is a genius. I thought that love movies are getting borring and predictable, but after her, that change. It´s a masterpiece, it´s original, it´s just great.One of the best movies that i ever watched. Sweet, inteligent and fun. Spike Jonze is a genius. I thought that love movies are getting borring and predictable, but after her, that change. It´s a masterpiece, it´s original, it´s just great. Who said that love was only for humans? The movie can be truth in the future, but for now, it´s an instant classic… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
RootieKazootieDec 29, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was not expecting much-- boy was I surprised. This is now in my top 10 movies of all time. And I cannot think of a better screenplay that I have ever seen. The writing is utterly brilliant--- largely for seeming so completely natural and not calling attention to itself.
So many of the reviews I've read on here, even the positive ones, don't really seem to get what this is. It is so much more than a romantic comedy. It is one of the best explorations of artificial intelligence that I have ever seen. So many movies (and books) that explore AI look at it purely from the "intelligence" point of view--- but this movie looks at it from the "emotional" point of view. Can an AI really have feelings? How can we ever know if it's real or just the programming? But, of course, how can we know if anyone's feelings are "real"? Including our own? And what happens if the AI ends up not only being smarter than us intellectually, but even more mature than us emotionally? Way more mature? Perhaps a lot of people are not into science fiction or speculative fiction and they just don't get what this movie is about.
Besides the incredible writing, yes, Scarlet Johanssen's voice is THE star of this movie-- and I'm not even a particularly big Scarlet Johannsen fan--- I'm mean she's a nice enough girl and all, but..... -- but this is a bravura performance--- and it's just her voice. It really does make the movie-- it is so crucial to convince you that this AI actually has feelings and emotions as real as your own. It really is what makes "Samantha" so convincingly pass the Turing test. In fact, the original actress for the voice of Samantha was someone else and, after the film was done, they decided to completely rerecord the voice of Samantha because it HAD to be utterly convincing.
As usual, I am baffled by the people who just don't get it. Brilliant, thought provoking--- one of the best.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
Cinemassacre94Mar 20, 2016
Spike Jonze's fourth feature offers a singular, wryly funny and subtly profound consideration of our relationship to technology.

Move over, HAL 9000. Take a hike, Skynet. After decades of being typecast as an agent of destruction or (atSpike Jonze's fourth feature offers a singular, wryly funny and subtly profound consideration of our relationship to technology.

Move over, HAL 9000. Take a hike, Skynet. After decades of being typecast as an agent of destruction or (at best) the harbinger of dystopian things to come, artificial intelligence gets a romantic lead in “Her,” Spike Jonze’s singular, wryly funny, subtly profound consideration of our relationship to technology — and to each other. A truly 21st-century love story, Jonze’s fourth directorial feature (and first made from his own original screenplay) may not be Middle America’s idea of prime date-night viewing, but its funky, deeply romantic charms should click with the hip urban audiences who embraced Jonze’s earlier work, with some cross-pollination to the sci-fi/fantasy crowd.

Not least among Jonze’s achievements here is his beautifully imagined yet highly plausible vision of a near-future Los Angeles (exact year unspecified), where subways and elevated trains have finally supplanted the automobile, and where a vast urban center crowded with skyscrapers sprawls out from downtown in every direction (a clever amalgam of location shooting in L.A. and Pudong, China). Just a few months after “Elysium” foretold an Angel City beset by enviro-pocalypse and class warfare, Jonze cuts the other way, envisaging a society where green living has triumphed and most of the world’s (or at least America’s) social maladies seem to have been remedied — save, that is, for an epidemic of loneliness.

This is how we first find Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a former alt-weekly writer who now plies his trade as a latter-day Cyrano de Bergerac, penning other people’s love letters as a worker bee for the online service BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com. (The actual “handwriting” is generated by computer, a lovely metaphor for our lingering analog affections in the digital era). Laid low by a recent separation from his wife (Rooney Mara, seen mostly in staccato flashbacks), the divorce papers all but final, Theodore drifts about in a depressive haze, more adept at channeling strangers’ feelings than his own. Until, that is, he meets Samantha.

Heralded as the world’s fist A.I. operating system (“It’s not just an OS — it’s a consciousness”), Samantha (aka OS1) enters Theodore’s life rather by chance, and over time, like so much technology, makes him wonder how he ever lived without it. But then, Samantha is no ordinary OS: It has a voice (Scarlett Johansson, who replaced Samantha Morton during post-production), an attitude, and a curiosity that seems, well, almost human. And therein lies Jonze’s masterstroke. Whereas the very notion of a man falling in love with a machine would have once seemed the stuff of high fantasy or farce, in “Her” it feels like just the slightest exaggeration of how we live now, in a blur of the real and virtual — “dating” online, texting instead of talking, changing our “status” with the click of a mouse. A generation on from the fugitive android lovers of “Blade Runner,” no one in “Her” has anything to hide.

Lack of physical presence notwithstanding, Samantha at first seems close to the male fantasy of the perfect woman: motherly and nurturing, always capable of giving her undivided attention, and (best of all) requiring nothing in return. But what begins like an arrested adolescent dream soon blossoms into Jonze’s richest and most emotionally mature work to date, burrowing deep into the give and take of relationships, the dawning of middle-aged ennui, and that eternal dilemma shared by both man and machine: the struggle to know one’s own true self.

The courtship scenes between Theodore and Samantha (including a freewheeling day trip to Venice Beach) are among the movie’s most disarming, with Phoenix disappearing as deeply under the skin of Jonze’s wounded, sensitive alter-ego as he did the roiling caged beast of “The Master.” (Shy of Daniel Day-Lewis, he may be the most chameleonic actor in movies today.) But it’s Johansson who pulls off the trickiest feat: She creates a complex, full-bodied character without any body at all. Detached from her lethally curvaceous figure, the actress’ breathy contralto is no less seductive, but it also alights with tenderness and wonder as Samantha, both here on Earth and up there in the Cloud, voraciously devours literature, philosophy and human experience.

Indeed, in Jonze’s radical retelling of the “Pinocchio” story (by way of 1984’s techno-romance “Electric Dreams,”), Samantha’s great existential crisis isn’t that she yearns to be a real, flesh-and-blood human. Rather, it’s her dawning realization that humanity may only be one station on a greater and more fulfilling journey through the cosmos — Kubrick’s Star Child come of age at last. How ever can an average Joe like Theodore hope to compete with that?

Her is an outstanding movie, in part because of its originality, but also because of its execution.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
ReelViews94Mar 23, 2016
Spike Jonze's fourth feature offers a singular, wryly funny and subtly profound consideration of our relationship to technology.

Move over, HAL 9000. Take a hike, Skynet. After decades of being typecast as an agent of destruction or (atSpike Jonze's fourth feature offers a singular, wryly funny and subtly profound consideration of our relationship to technology.

Move over, HAL 9000. Take a hike, Skynet. After decades of being typecast as an agent of destruction or (at best) the harbinger of dystopian things to come, artificial intelligence gets a romantic lead in “Her,” Spike Jonze’s singular, wryly funny, subtly profound consideration of our relationship to technology — and to each other. A truly 21st-century love story, Jonze’s fourth directorial feature (and first made from his own original screenplay) may not be Middle America’s idea of prime date-night viewing, but its funky, deeply romantic charms should click with the hip urban audiences who embraced Jonze’s earlier work, with some cross-pollination to the sci-fi/fantasy crowd.

Not least among Jonze’s achievements here is his beautifully imagined yet highly plausible vision of a near-future Los Angeles (exact year unspecified), where subways and elevated trains have finally supplanted the automobile, and where a vast urban center crowded with skyscrapers sprawls out from downtown in every direction (a clever amalgam of location shooting in L.A. and Pudong, China). Just a few months after “Elysium” foretold an Angel City beset by enviro-pocalypse and class warfare, Jonze cuts the other way, envisaging a society where green living has triumphed and most of the world’s (or at least America’s) social maladies seem to have been remedied — save, that is, for an epidemic of loneliness.

This is how we first find Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a former alt-weekly writer who now plies his trade as a latter-day Cyrano de Bergerac, penning other people’s love letters as a worker bee for the online service BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com. (The actual “handwriting” is generated by computer, a lovely metaphor for our lingering analog affections in the digital era). Laid low by a recent separation from his wife (Rooney Mara, seen mostly in staccato flashbacks), the divorce papers all but final, Theodore drifts about in a depressive haze, more adept at channeling strangers’ feelings than his own. Until, that is, he meets Samantha.

Heralded as the world’s fist A.I. operating system (“It’s not just an OS — it’s a consciousness”), Samantha (aka OS1) enters Theodore’s life rather by chance, and over time, like so much technology, makes him wonder how he ever lived without it. But then, Samantha is no ordinary OS: It has a voice (Scarlett Johansson, who replaced Samantha Morton during post-production), an attitude, and a curiosity that seems, well, almost human. And therein lies Jonze’s masterstroke. Whereas the very notion of a man falling in love with a machine would have once seemed the stuff of high fantasy or farce, in “Her” it feels like just the slightest exaggeration of how we live now, in a blur of the real and virtual — “dating” online, texting instead of talking, changing our “status” with the click of a mouse. A generation on from the fugitive android lovers of “Blade Runner,” no one in “Her” has anything to hide.

Lack of physical presence notwithstanding, Samantha at first seems close to the male fantasy of the perfect woman: motherly and nurturing, always capable of giving her undivided attention, and (best of all) requiring nothing in return. But what begins like an arrested adolescent dream soon blossoms into Jonze’s richest and most emotionally mature work to date, burrowing deep into the give and take of relationships, the dawning of middle-aged ennui, and that eternal dilemma shared by both man and machine: the struggle to know one’s own true self.

The courtship scenes between Theodore and Samantha (including a freewheeling day trip to Venice Beach) are among the movie’s most disarming, with Phoenix disappearing as deeply under the skin of Jonze’s wounded, sensitive alter-ego as he did the roiling caged beast of “The Master.” (Shy of Daniel Day-Lewis, he may be the most chameleonic actor in movies today.) But it’s Johansson who pulls off the trickiest feat: She creates a complex, full-bodied character without any body at all. Detached from her lethally curvaceous figure, the actress’ breathy contralto is no less seductive, but it also alights with tenderness and wonder as Samantha, both here on Earth and up there in the Cloud, voraciously devours literature, philosophy and human experience.

Indeed, in Jonze’s radical retelling of the “Pinocchio” story (by way of 1984’s techno-romance “Electric Dreams,”), Samantha’s great existential crisis isn’t that she yearns to be a real, flesh-and-blood human. Rather, it’s her dawning realization that humanity may only be one station on a greater and more fulfilling journey through the cosmos — Kubrick’s Star Child come of age at last. How ever can an average Joe like Theodore hope to compete with that?

Her is an outstanding movie, in part because of its originality, but also because of its execution.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
MovieMasterEddyApr 3, 2016
Joaquin Phoenix delivers a gentle, thoroughly disarming performance in “Her,” a wildly inventive, scrupulously understated romance from Spike Jonze. Set in a Los Angeles that’s been ingeniously photographed to exploit its most futuristicJoaquin Phoenix delivers a gentle, thoroughly disarming performance in “Her,” a wildly inventive, scrupulously understated romance from Spike Jonze. Set in a Los Angeles that’s been ingeniously photographed to exploit its most futuristic vernacular, “Her” takes place at a time that may be just around the corner, when our virtual lives have merged even more seamlessly with corporeal, real-world experience: Welcome to Earbud Nation.

In this world, computer operating systems are in the throes of becoming exponentially more sophisticated in warp-speed time. When Phoenix’s character, Theodore, takes advantage of the latest upgrade, he finds that his computer is now being run by a charming, Siri-like disembodied voice that calls itself Samantha.

Given beguilingly peppery voice by Scarlett Johansson, Samantha loses no time in seducing the lonely Theodore, who composes heartfelt notes-for-hire at a company called beautifulhandwrittenletters.com, by nights amusing himself with escapist video games and raunchy phone sex. Samantha’s circuitry is sophisticated enough to intuit and evolve according to Theodore’s feedback, so it’s no surprise when he starts to fall in love with her (er, it). What’s surprising is that Jonze has taken what could easily have been a glib screwball comedy and infused it instead with wry, observant tenderness and deep feeling.

Then again, it’s not that surprising. Jonze, after all, brought similar sensitivity to “Being John Malkovich,” “Adaptation” and “Where the Wild Things Are.” But “Her” is something special even for this gifted director’s idiosyncratic oeuvre. Jonze has always possessed a meticulous, curatorially expressive visual sense, and here his talents are particularly sharp: He films Los Angeles in neutral tones of blue and gray, with pops of bright red (including Theodore’s shirt) providing startling slashes of contrast. That sensibility extends to his clever, even ingenious script, in which he builds an utterly convincing interior and exterior world for Theodore and Samantha to inhabit. Unlike “Ted” or “Minority Report,” each of which has something in common with “Her,” Jonze’s film doesn’t make the comedic conceit or technology the focus. Rather, he’s interested in alienation (like so many of his filmmaking peers this year), and the role that projection plays in constructing love, desire and identity itself.

Theodore and Samantha exist in a city full of people being alone together, a familiar backdrop at a time when it’s common to see four people share a dinner table, their eyes glued to four iPhones. So the prime obstacles that inevitably emerge in “Her” aren’t what you think they’ll be, and the movie winds up being continually more surprising as it follows its quirky, often amusing, course.

Phoenix has effectively banished the bearded eccentric he was playing on the talk show circuit just a few years ago; mustached and bespectacled, he delivers a quietly heroic, even Chaplinesque turn as an Everyman contemplating the nature of the self and the soul that lies within. At its core, “Her” is about listening, and both Phoenix and Johansson — who delivers an astonishing vocal performance — make that experience anything but passive.

Theodore joins a crowded gallery of protagonists — most of them male — who this year have been battling loneliness and isolation on screen; “Her” may be the most intellectually inquiring of these smart, observant movies, as Jonze teases out what’s genuine emotion and what’s just programming. “Her” occurs in what Jonze calls the “slight future,” but that’s clearly a question for the ages.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
WimpherMay 8, 2016
I think there is just one word that sums this movie up.
"Masterpiece."
I think it truly takes a sensitive heart to appreciate just how powerful this film is.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
miccaelOct 29, 2019
One of the best movies of 2013. There are some parallel between this movie and being in long distance relationships. A lot of people can relate to this movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
alejandro970Jun 4, 2017
An original touch for romantic comedies. A deep, warm reflection about the human liaisons and love in times of social networks and smartphones. Efficent, original story, emotive songs and memorable cast.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
michaelinpersonFeb 5, 2019
A perfect film. Like how Theodore "woke up" Samantha, this concept of a movie will wake its audience. Mind-awakening. And obscurely original. I'd be ignorant enough to say it's life-changing. But heck, it is.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
KervJMar 26, 2017
Its been a while since I've seen a romance movie that has moved me like "Her" did. Joaquin Phoenix's performance as a loner is really compelling along with Scarlett Johansson voice acting. Their on screen chemistry feels genuine. If you areIts been a while since I've seen a romance movie that has moved me like "Her" did. Joaquin Phoenix's performance as a loner is really compelling along with Scarlett Johansson voice acting. Their on screen chemistry feels genuine. If you are willing to look past the fact that Joaquin phoenix is falling in love with a voice, then this movie is sure to bring you to tears. Overall , a very touching love story that is sure to have you reevaluate yourself and your own relationship.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
detour3810Feb 13, 2018
I saw this film in 2013 when it released in theatres I've seen it several times since and outside of it's beautifully crafted technical cinematography and score this film brings me joy and heartbreak as if I've seen it for the first time forI saw this film in 2013 when it released in theatres I've seen it several times since and outside of it's beautifully crafted technical cinematography and score this film brings me joy and heartbreak as if I've seen it for the first time for a story that's so synthetic it pulls on my emotional heart strings so authentically and causes me to reflect on my personal life after it's over which I think is one of the greatest compliments I can give a film or story... (standing ovation Mr. JONZE)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
AaronJupiterOct 15, 2019
I enjoyed every minute watching HER and was thrilled and frightened about the possibilities of AI. Johannsen's voice performance is intriguing and Phoenix portrayal remarkable!
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
FilipeNetoJun 11, 2020
It is incredible to see this 2013 film in light of what happens in 2020. Set in the near future, it seems a lot with many things that are happening now, in our days. I am sure, however, that the technical consultants behind the productionIt is incredible to see this 2013 film in light of what happens in 2020. Set in the near future, it seems a lot with many things that are happening now, in our days. I am sure, however, that the technical consultants behind the production took into account the likely advances in technology in the development of the script.

The film is basically a love story between a human being and a computer program. It is not just any program, but software designed to act as if it were someone else in order to support the user in various tasks, as if it were a kind of electronic secretary who knows the needs, tastes and way of being of the human user. A program that, while organizing our e-mail and reminding us of daily tasks, also talks to us, keeps us abreast of the latest news and even helps us in choosing a good dish for dinner or a gift for the girlfriend.

Winner of the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, the film is full of profound questions in terms of morals, ethics, philosophy, some of which are already highly relevant and current. The way the film addresses the current difficulties in direct interpersonal relationships is brilliant. In fact, with technology and increasing forms of virtual socialization, it seems that human beings are at risk of forgetting what it is like to relate directly, without the use of a technological device or the Internet. The film masterfully explores these issues and difficulties, with human characters not knowing how to act or deal with their feelings and fears, the increase in physical loneliness and psychological and emotional constraints. Distance dating is an old thing, which was even done by exchanging letters, and in the past there was even the figure of proxy marriage, which has long since fallen into disuse. Technology, however, gave new impetus to distance novels, made it possible to meet, live and love someone on the other side of the world, with all the dangers and fears that this implies ... but with the viability and proximity that a good internet connection and a webcam can allow, and that the letters and mail never allowed. Of course, we have not yet reached the point of dating machines, nor do the machines have the intellectual resourcefulness and linguistic resourcefulness that allows them to resemble contact with a real human being. But if things continue to evolve, who knows?

Joaquin Phoenix is the protagonist of this love story, giving life to a very shy character, psychologically complex and profound, that gave pleasure to see on the screen. It is unusual to see in a film a character with such psychological and emotional development, and whenever this happens we should give a standing ovation, both the screenwriter and the actor who gave him body. In this case, the applause is fully justified, in that Phoenix offered us probably one of the most notable works of his career as an actor. Amy Addams also did an excellent job with a character that is also quite complex but it takes time to develop. Olivia Wilde and Rooney Mara also do very well its role in supporting characters with an emphasis on story told. Finally, but very important, the excellent contribution made by Scarlett Johansson's deep voice.

Technically, the film is full of good points. It is not a film loaded with effects, and this gives the story told much more relevance since the special and visual effects often distract the audience from everything else. Excellent cinematography uses very well the incredible scenery of the major Chinese cities. The soundtrack is competent but unobtrusive and blends well with the scenery and elegant costumes that combine good elements of our time with other more futuristic nature.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
All_ButTrU4Jul 17, 2021
This **** has changed me. Phoenix is phenomenal and Johansson captivates. The script is a masterpiece. I legit felt every emotion a person could be capable of. Im in awe. The soundtrack by Arcade Fire is poignant. Must see.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
mainstreamkidApr 6, 2019
"It was exciting to see her grow. Both of us grow and change together. But, you know, that's also the hard part. Growing without growing apart."

Her is simply a masterpiece.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
MahmusAug 22, 2019
Beautiful looking, impeccably acted, extremely moving and touching. This is a movie that connected with me on an emotional level like very few movies have.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
LucasTSSep 23, 2019
HER
WARNER BROS. PICTURES | RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 18, 2013 Such a brilliant film
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
prev
Page:
More From This Movie

91 Critic Reviews

8.6 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL