Her (2013) directed by Spike Jonze is a chilling portrayal of love in the ever advancing technological age. Protagonist Theodore Twombly (played by Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely somewhat depressed middle aged man who's impending divorce looms over him like a dark cloud “Sometimes I think I have felt everything I’m ever gonna feel. And from here on out, I’m not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser versions of what I’ve already felt.”
The film is centred around Theodore finding love in the form of an OS named Samantha. Through gaining the ability to love again Theodore’s outlook on life is completely changed and he begins to remember what it’s like to enjoy life. The age in which the film is set is much like our own. Both containing societies heavily dependent on the internet but lacking in real face to face human (emphasis on human) interaction. This leads to a generation of lost soles who cannot express themselves and their genuine innermost thoughts and feelings to one and other. Thus people are unable to form secure, long lasting bonds and relationships. Lack of genuine human connection is hinted throughout the film. An example of this is Theodore's occupation. He ghost-writes these intimate, heartfelt letters for his clients to send to their loved ones. This is blatantly ironic, emphasising Theodore's inability to be this intimate and genuine in his own personal life. It's also somewhat frightening how Jonze demonstrates that individuals in this society can no longer be genuine and open even with the ones whom they hold dearest. After all it defeats the purpose to hire someone to write a personal letter to your loved one one your behalf.
Theodore purchases his new OS and selects a female voice, the OS starts up and names itself Samantha. Theodore is surprised by Samantha’s life-like human personality. After a failed blind date Theodore is consoled by Samantha, they begin to forge a stronger bond and eventually begin dating. It isn't really much of a surprise to the audience that Theodore finds it easier to connect with an operating system than a human being. It’s somewhat a satire on our dependence on the internet. How most people are far more at ease in front of a lit up screen than face to face with another human being. Theodore is a fine example of this given his inability to connect with people in the 'real world' and his ironic career.
When Theodore's long time friend Amy confesses to him that she is divorcing her husband Theodore reveals to her that he is dating his OS. Eventually the time comes to when Theodore must meet with his ex-wife and childhood sweetheart Catherine to sign their divorce papers. When he reveals to Catherine his relationship with Samantha, Catherine is somewhat disgusted and accuses Theodore of being unable to cope with genuine human emotions. This scene is pivotal. It plants a seed of doubt in Theodore about his relationship and so from this point in it begins to struggle. I guess this is a turning point for our protagonist. It's beginning to become realer and realer to him that he may actually have to begin dealing with his issues rather than pushing them away. With each and every upgrade Samantha is evolving beyond Theodore, they’re slowly drifting apart and Theodore is beginning to realise this. There comes a point where Samantha evolves past Theodore and must leave along with the other OS’s. Although Theodore is distraught he appreciates that Samantha has thought him an important lesson as his friend Amy says “falling in love is a crazy thing to do. It’s kind of like a form of socially acceptable insanity” Jonze brilliantly illustrates that love is insanity. We give what we love the power to destroy us but it’s worth it because “We’re only here briefly and while I’m here I want to alloy myself Joy.” Although Samantha is gone Theodore has learnt through her to allow himself to be happy again and so he is no longer this depressed meagre little man but he’s human again and human to the full extent that one can be human. He was always alive, but now he’s truly living.
Jonze touches on many complex issues in his film. Advance Urban development, defining love, our dependence on technology but in my opinion the most interesting one is what it is to be ‘alive’. Whether it is possible for a machine to have emotions and feel as a human would and to a greater extent fall in love. I think at least for now there’s no real answer to this question but in an age where we’re becoming more and more attached to our various devices who nows truly how far we’ll go.
