Writer: Spike Jonze (Screenplay)
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Chris Pratt, Rooney Mara, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson
Plot: Theodore (Phoenix) is a lonely man in the final stages of his divorce. When he’s not working as a letter writer, his down time is spent playing video games and occasionally hanging out with friends. He decides to purchase the new OS1, which is advertised as the world’s first artificially intelligent operating system, ‘It’s not just an operating system, it’s a consciousness,’ the ad states. Theodore quickly finds himself drawn in with Samantha (Voice Scarlett Johansson), the voice behind his OS1. As they start spending time together they grow closer and closer and eventually find themselves in love. Having fallen in love with his OS, Theodore finds himself dealing with feelings of both great joy and doubt. As an OS Samantha has powerful intelligence that she uses to help Theodore in ways others hadn’t, but how does she help him deal with his inner conflict of being in love with an OS?
Verdict: A New Love Story
Story: Looking at the idea that people could fall in love with the voice on their phones and it be considered ok in society. Well that is what it looks like from what I saw. Looking into things deeper this is actually looking at how people are entering into a need for the technology at the click of a finger as long as it makes people happy it is all ok. While in the real world people are struggling with the whole social experience, this idea offers an easy way out, which is creepy to say the least. The love story is sweet as nothing beats meeting someone even just for a whirlwind relationship that has a new look on how you see life. I personally feel this film is a good representation of a new way to be in a relationship showing how it can make you feel great but distance you from the other people in the life. (9/10)
Actor Reviews
Joaquin Phoenix: Theodore who is currently going through a divorce and then starts getting involved with his OS voice who has a new look on life that makes everything bright and new to him. Joaquin is brilliant in this role as he spends most of the film as the long screen presence having to show emotion to a conversation. (10/10)
Scarlett Johansson: Samantha the OS system voice who constantly wants to gain more knowledge and understand her feelings. We never see her but the voice performance given is unbelievable as you actually could look away and imagine her next to Theodore. (10/10)
Director Review: Spike Jonze – Creates a very unique romantic film that creates a great fantasy relationship. (9/10)
Romance: The fantasy in the relationship between the man and the voice comes off better than most face to face ones shown on screen. (9/10)
Sci-Fi: Even though this is a film with bright beginnings it actually has a very dark look on how people want to live in the future. (9/10)
Settings: Beautiful settings used to show a real dating scenario even though only one person is real. (9/10)
Suggestion: I think it would be fair to say people should watch this as it is like nothing they will have seen before. (Watch)
Best Part: The ex-wife’s reaction to dating his OS.
Worst Part: The fact people see this dating their OS as fine.
Believability: We are heading this direction and it is closer than we want it too be. (6/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Won 1 Oscar
Box Office: $45,871,251
Budget: $23 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours
Overall: Brilliant But Disturbing Film
Rating