Her

As a short film this could have been a five-minute shootout or even a twenty-minute nostalgia, but Spike Jonze decided to give this idea a full-length form – and he did well. He holds the whole concept at such a high level that it is clear from the beginning that the finale cannot meet the audience's expectations. Because no matter how it ends, it will mean the end of that dream come true. And precisely at the edge of two hours, the elevating and universally personal premise spills over, not least in terms of how intensely it is intimate for us, romantic thinkers. However, I am still amazed at how perfect all the scenes are that depict a person in a state of hunger for love and hurling themselves down obviously blind alleys. (28/02/2014)

Melancholy laden with mesmerizing visuals for those who occasionally crave sentimental dramas and independent small stories, and are not afraid to venture into a future where a seductive voice will take the lead. There are plenty of life planes, parallels, and references sketched out, but none will try to impose themselves on you, which is a very positive thing. Excellently acted, technically flawless, a very sad and occasionally depressing film that describes the problems of our time with great skill. Too bad about the occasional dull passages and the overly dragging pace. It wasn't as personal as I expected. (13/10/2014)

It was with this movie that I started catching up with last year’s movies before Oscar night. Her attracted me with the premise and mainly with the actor. Joaquin Phoenix is an incredible actor. But what can you do when he often chooses pretty strange characters that are hard to figure out? And he delivers a pretty precise performance every single time. To such extent that you actually don’t know what to think about him as a person because with every film you get a different opinion of him. Once he drives you mad, another time you don’t understand why he acts the way he does and the next time you really understand him. But that’s actually not easy because I think that Joaquin tries to act in a way that will make nobody have understanding for him. All his characters are so specific that it’s really hard to find yourself in them in any way. Her represents a pretty strange view of the world that could come about if we are fully consumed by computer systems. Not in a bad way like in I, Robot. This is more a matter of psychology. Joaquin did a terrific job, but Spike Jonze made the movie the same way he makes all his movies – his way. I had a hard time looking for understanding in the movie but it hasn’t ceased to amaze me since I saw it. (06/02/2014)

Hi, I’m Spike and I generate films just for you! - Oh! That’s great, let’s see what you can do. - Well, first, what genre would you like? - Hey, I quite fancy some sci-fi. But a smart one, no madness with robots or anything like that. A pinch of social satire and… - OK, I’m writing it down. What about romance? Humour? Would that be fine? - Yeah, I guess, but only a little, so it would be a bit sad and melancholic, rather than cloying, get it? And the humour, just a bit to spice things up. - Sure, we’ll go easy on it. And what about the actor for the leading role? You have any special requirements? - How about someone renowned but not a big celebrity? Maybe Philip Seymour Hoffman? - Sorry, mate, he’s dead. And Joaquin Phoenix? - Yeah, no worries. - And in what era would you like it to take place? A slightly altered present or a far, post-apocalyptic… - If possible, maybe somewhere in the near future. So it would be very similar to now, but also with some different and original details. I’d love that. So I could imagine that things will be like that in a few years, but I wouldn’t be too happy about it. - So the tone would be rather depressing? - Well…. not that, no. I don’t want any cheap happy ending, but it doesn’t need to be a heavy downer, either. Something half-way. Don’t make it too happy, but leave the characters with some hope. - Well, I think I already have it. It will be called Her. Have fun. (19/01/2014)

As a romantic film for romantics who are bored of cinematic romance and who turn off the TV before a couple in love have their last passionate kiss in the rain, Her is an absolutely brilliant choice. The original story set in the future works with so many unfamiliar and novel elements that it actually puts pressure on itself in order to successfully withstand all that new and strange stuff without ironically falling into the mundane. And despite the slightly cringe and sleepy last act, I can solemnly declare that the peculiar creator Spike Jonze has once again mastered his difficult task. This is by no means a deep odyssey across the sexual cells of humanity, and the romantic atmosphere simply couldn't work that well with the unmistakable female element replaced by a computer (as sexy as the voice sounded), but to be fair, the direction is flawless, originality clearly triumphs, and the script is built cleverly enough to keep our attention until the somewhat lacklustre finale. And God forbid that this vision should ever come true. :) 80% (01/02/2014)