The Oscar award nominated movie Her by Spike Jonze features the emotionally tortured Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly a heartbroken, divorced man who specializes in writing romantic letters for a living. His clients pay him handsomely for his original and moving correspondence. When lonely, Theodore Twombly, the main character in the movie upgrades his computers OS. The impalpable voice of Scarlett Johansson greets him and instructs him to call her Samantha. Samantha seamlessly performs numerous tasks for Theodore. For instance, she cleans up his inbox, reminds of him of upcoming appointments, organizes his hard drive and eventually steals his heart. Samantha smites Theodore and in turn takes her on multiple dinner dates, long romantic walks and a trip to the carnival. Amy Adams who stars in the film as Theodore's best friend and neighbour is happy when he informs her that he has finally found someone he is emotionally connected to. He his wife, Catherine, on the other hand, cannot fathom the idea of a human being falling in love with a computer operating system (Jonze, 2013) . The paper analyses Spike Jonze's Her, the goals of the film, its desired impact on the audience and the manner in which the author achieves his goals.
Although many people might perceive the movie as dystopian, satirical exposition on digital culture, it is not. Although technology has helped turn the world into a global village, it has also created distances between individuals. In the movie, Spike Jonze attempts to paint a picture of how contemporary human beings relate to each other, desperately yearn to connect, their inherent inabilities to form improbable bonds and fear of intimacy. Mostly, the original objective of the film is about how human beings relate to each other, the things they endure in their quest for love and their fears. In the movie, Spike Jonze hopes to inform the audience about the ever-changing state of affairs. Indeed, everything from technology to how we feel and perceive things is always in a constant state of change, and resisting change can be detrimental to an individual and the society at large. He achieves his intended objective by bringing in technology to demonstrate how the world is poised to change in the coming decades (Jonze, 2013). Mr. Jonze also uses Amy and Catherine to show how people react to specific changes in the society. Theodore's best friend Amy is happy for him while his ex-wife is not. Amy has no issues whatsoever with Theodore having feelings for his computer.
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Unlike many movies, the film Her takes the risk and tells the story of a man who has fallen in love with an operating system. A significant majority of filmmakers would never do this due to fear of being criticized or even rejected by the audience. A substantial majority of human beings are yet to welcome the idea of man falling in love with robots or AI computers. The film asks the controversial question "What would happen if a human being got attracted or developed feelings for an artificially intelligent computer OS?" Would culture, his family or those around him be willing to accept such romance? And are artificially intelligent computers capable of reciprocating such kind of feelings? Another social or ethical question that the film explores is whether it is ethical to assign a gender to an OS. Many people especially those who are enthusiastic about technology anthropomorphize their cars, phones, and computers. It is commonplace for men to name their cars and gadgets after women they fancy. Amy Adams is portrayed in the film as the unhappy married women who one might inevitably think of as Theodore’s perfect match (Jonze, 2013).
Over the past few years, many states in the United States have passed laws legalizing same-sex marriages. The audience might, therefore, be prompted to perceive the film as an allegory for nontraditional weddings. The film, thus, possesses the question, if a man is permitted by law to marry a fellow man, why is it that a man cannot fall in love with an artificially intelligent computer? Even though the society has experienced fundamental changes over the last five decades, most people still frown upon the idea of men falling in love with computers. Those who find themselves in a such a situation are judged and prejudiced against by the very society that should love and care for them (Jonze, 2013). A vast majority of the audience, therefore, find themselves sympathizing with the protagonist's condition.
Theodore is enchanted by Samantha not because she has Scarlett Johansson’s voice but because the operating system demonstrates an entrenched personal interest in him. Within a matter of seconds, she analyses all the files in Theodore's computer and provides compliments him on his creativity. Moreover, she laughs at his jokes, gives him the attention he craves and expresses curiosity about him. In a nutshell, Samantha offers what men desire in a romantic partner.
The film also explores the challenges presented by long-distance relationships, where two individuals are always talking to each other but do not have the opportunity to be physical. This point brings in another ethical issue that the movie engages in which is whether artificial intelligence can exploit an individual's emotions for the developers own benefit. Many developers have in the recent years been accused of using feedback from their products to manipulate clients. This often leaves victims heartbroken and severely depressed. It is a commonplace for the society to think that a man and woman cannot be friends without indulging in intercourse. Amy and Theodore develop a deep connection which does not culminate in sex as other directors might put it. The movie has provided me with the opportunity to appreciate the tremendous role technology plays in our daily lives and the numerous risks it possesses. For instance, Theodore and Samantha broke up since Samantha is a computer and prone to a system upgrade. I believe that we should be ready to incorporate a change in our lives. In the film, Catherine is dumbfounded when Theodore informs her of his new found love (Jonze, 2013). She cannot fathom the idea of a man falling in love with a computer operating system.
Granted the opportunity, I would ask Spike Jonze the following fundamental question; Firstly, does the movie promote or perceive women as objects as to be owned and possessed by men? Secondly, is the movie a love story or more of a technology film? Lastly, what does he believe that someday people are going to welcome the idea of men having relationships with computers? These questions are critical since they help address the moral issue brought about AI and gives significant insights into how the future is going to be like.
In conclusion, the film explores human desires, feelings, and fears. The documentary emphasizes more on matters of love than technology. It demonstrates how human beings yearn for attention and connection. Lastly, the film warns the audience that although technology has brought with it many benefits, it should be consumed wisely.
References
Jonze, S. (Director). (2013). Her [Motion Picture].
