Her Review
RYAN: This is from direcotr Spike Jonze, whom I really don’t like as a filmmaker; but Her is getting much buzz and attention this awards season and I tend to enjoy Joaquin, so I went into it open minded. That being said, I hated this movie and it’s one of my least faves of the year.
CAROLINE: You’re gonna put it in the same category as Getaway?
RYAN: In terms of how bored and annoyed I was watching it, yes.
CAROLINE: Wow. I’m excited for us to agree to disagree because I really, really liked this movie. I thought it was was such an original concept and very resonant with our current times.
RYAN: Well you’re certainly of the majority opinion. But it just didn’t speak to me. However, I totally also appreciate the statement it makes about how isolating technology is today. That is a very interesting and poignant message.
CAROLINE: One of my favorite things about this movie is the scandal that British actress Samantha Morton was the original voice of the computer character, Smantha, which we all know now, was re-recorded in post by Scarlett Johansson. Poor Sam Morton must be reeling from disappointment.
RYAN: Yeah that bites. She’s an accomplished actress, so it’s strange they did that. I didn’t notice the upgrade, though, because the entire film’s success hinges on whether or not you buy they fact that a computer is capable of falling in love… and I never did. And since ScarJo is that voice, I partly blame her for why I didn’t like it.
CAROLINE: Oh whatever, you just hate Spike Jonze.
RYAN: (laughs) Yeah it’s true I’ve hated all of his movies; but I still approach each new forray with an open mind.
CAROLINE: Joaquin Phoenix is amazing in this. There’s also Amy Adams in a supporting role, almost unrecognizable as a blonde; but I thought ScarJo’s voice was great and totally captured the girlish wonder of the character. I totally bought the sotry and I’m huge fan of this movie.
RYAN: Another thing that really irked me about this movie is the costume design. The story takes place in the near future but everyone is dressed like theyr’e in the 50s and 60s and all in muted oranges, browns and yellows. I wanted to barf. On the other hand, the set is design is gorgeous.
CAROLINE: I did notice that about the costumes. But I thought the music was great and the soundtrack complemented the movie perfectly.
RYAN: I can agree with that. There are some good elements to the film and Jonze is a respected filmmaker in the biz but for me, he’s really in that Wes Anderson territory. The movies are awkward, strange, almost creepy and quirky – not in a good way.
CAROLINE: I will have to disagree on that one. I think he’s really original and while I haven’t loved all of his films, I enjoy most of them. But I totally agree that Wes Anderson could not be more annoying… I wasn’t sure what to make of this movie at first – but I really wound up enjoying it a lot. the performances are great. The moodiness was dead on and it reminded me a little bit of Lars and the Real Girl in that a man falls in love in a non traditional way. I can undertstand why you had a hard time buying it, but I totally did and was completely immeresed in it.
RYAN: I usually don’t care, but actully feel bad that I seem to be the only one in the commmunity who realy didn’t like this. It just goes to show you that not everything is always going to create the same reaction in all people. But I have to stand true to my opinion and this really bored me to death and turned me off. I sat there, slack-jawed whilst watching, just thinking it was ridiculous. I love Amy Adams but didn’t care about her in this movie or anyone. The performances were fine but the script just didn’t work at all.
