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| The best film of 2013 |
So with the recent announcement of the Academy Awards nominations, I decided it was time for me to watch some of those films that were more critically acclaimed last year as opposed to the all out action and enjoyment films that I spent the majority of last year watching such as Man of Steel and Pacific Rim.
So I sat down to watch "Her" with great expectations, and my god it did not disappoint in the slightest. In fact I think this is one of the best films I have seen in a long time and is definitely the best film to have come out of 2013. I can't sing the praises of this film enough, I can barely get a grasp on what makes it so good, all I know is that I left this film feeling both overjoyed and saddened, and its not often that I see a film that spreads my emotions so thin.
So the plot. This is a strange one, without giving much a way its about a lonely introverted man named Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) who is soon to be divorced by his childhood sweetheart. Writing love letters for other lonely and quiet people that have problems expressing their emotions. Upon learning of a new Operating System that can actually interact and communicate with the owner, Theodore purchases one in order to better organise and construct his work. After spending a lot of time with the OS (Scarlett Johannson) who goes by the name of Samantha and they begin to fall in love with one another. I won't go into much more detail than that but this is one story I am not soon to forget this heart warming tale.
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| The love of the OS |
The performances themselves are unbelievably good. I have been a fan of Phoenix since I saw him in "Signs" back in 2002 and by then I thought he was already a good actor. "Walk the Line" saw Phoenix turn in another amazing performance and made Phoenix a permanent favourite actor of mine and after laying low for several years I was thrilled to see him back in this film. Perhaps it can be said that his sole performance is what carries this film but for me its a combination of several things including another great performer by the name of Scarlett Johannson, with the best part being that you don't once see her. All of her performance is provided through the use of her voice, all of her charisma and charm is put through in her voice and it is entirely possible for us to understand how Theodore falls in love with Samantha. There are also notable performances from Amy Adams as Theodores lifelong friend who has her own affair with another OS. Even with the lack of human characters in this film, the ones that are present are rich and full of life, these feel like real people and they are people that I want to get to know and spend my time with.
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| Phoenix back on top form |
I do have to mention the type of genre that this film is, whilst being described as sci-fi, Its not overplayed but it is definitely a part of the film. With the futuristic ways of communication such as vocal emails and an Operating System that learns and adapts to the users wants and needs. There aren't any hover cars and there's no robots or flying spaceships but there is just enough sci-fi to keep me satisfied and that's another reason to enjoy this movie.
So to sum this film up... there are no words. Its just one of those things that you have to see. It left me speechless, I was recommending it to everyone when I was only 25 minutes into the film. Yes it is that good. I can't think of a film that I enjoyed more than this one last year. I actually can't believe that I am saying this, but a love story, a romantic comedy was my favourite film of 2013. I guess the times really are a changing. Well done Spike Jonze.
