Her (2013)

*SPOILER FREE

What is love? Why love and purpose are always connected? How far can we go to satisfy an unfulfilled need? And and why we can't always get what we want?

Her is a sci-fi romantic drama following introvert, lonely writer Theodore in the near futuristic LA as he develops a relationship with Samantha, an intelligent virtual subconscious designed to fulfill his emotional and social needs.

Her is not merely a story about love, it's character study exploring the human condition, and our need for affection and attention. Our need to be heard, to be loved, to be desired. A manifestation of relationships, intimacy, sex, jealousy, human connection, and longing.

Spectacularly shot by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, therapeutically scored by Arcade Fire, the colors and the production design are so inviting, and not to mention the outstanding Joaquin Phoenix performance. Her is a cinematic A on all levels.

This film is categorized as science-fiction, less than 10 years later and nothing about it really feels like fiction. The absurd idea that A.I. is replacing human functions, and slowly humans themselves is no longer absurd, it's a fact. However, Her is a very realistic depiction of the future, it does attempt to showcase the sad reality of humans living within bubbles and the extent of our unhealthy attachment to technology, but it does not necessarily suggest that it's going to be a dystopian one and overwhelm you with pessimism. The future can still be neat, warm, and friendly.

10 years before 'Her', writer and director Spike Jonze got divorced with Sofia Coppola who would go on in the same year and write and direct 'Lost in Translation', another great drama about loneliness and melancholy. 'Her' and 'Lost in Translation' feel like a rally between the two directors who were once in love and lost. Two original and compelling masterworks born to a doomed romance.

Honorable mention: Lost in Translation (2003)

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Available to watch on HBO Max, Apple TV, and on Amazon Prime Video

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