Assignment on English Film Analysis

Running head: ENGLISH
Film Analysis Essay
Name of the Student
Name of the Student:
Author Note

2
‘Her’ is a science fiction drama which has been directed and written by Spike Jonze. The
movie encompasses a man Theodore Twombly, which has been played by Joaquin Phoenix as he
develops relationship with a woman named Samantha, which has been played by Scarlett
Johansson. Theodore, has been presented in the movie as the Everyman of the future, as the
experiences of human beings are infused and influenced by technology. Technology offers
connection and helps people build relationships in the world, as they feel more connected, but
the movie is a moving piece as the audiences are shown how technology also creates singularity.
Samantha, with whom, Theodore has a relationship with, is actually an Artificially Intelligent
assistant personified as a woman, who is heard and interacted with, with the usage of technology.
The thesis of this paper, is to analyze the film and different aspects of the narrative and
cinematography, which makes the movie great.
Theodore Twombly is a man who is depressed, lonely and introverted, living in Los
Angeles and works as a writer who composes letters addressing on behalf of people who are
incapable of writing letters themselves. Theodore is depressed for the divorce which separated
him from Catherine, his childhood sweetheart and thus, he buys an operating system with a
virtual assistant. The assistant in the system is artificially intelligent which can evolve as well as
adapt to the situations and responses. The audience fells intrigued at such a company, as she
chooses to name herself Samantha. Theodore becomes accustomed to her as well as fascinated to
learn how adaptable she is and can psychologically grow. He starts developing connection with
her, as he starts to engage in discussions. Their conversation ranges from everything related to
love and life. Samantha even analyzes Theodore’s reluctance to sign the paper as he was not
prepared to let go of Catherine.

3
Theodore, expresses to Samantha about how Lewman, a friend,was trying to set him with
a woman, but was trying to avoid it. Samantha convinces him to go for the blind date but he
becomes hesitant to promise the woman when he was going to meet her for the next time. Hence,
to escape from the situation of meeting her for the next time, despite having a good date, he ends
up humiliating her and leaves. He shares his bizarre response to the situation with Samantha and
discusses more about life, as he also mentions about dating his neighbor Amy briefly, who, now
is a good friend and married to another man. Theodore, sbecomes more intimately involved with
Samantha emotionally as they interact and she gives him company through all his experiences
and emotional sensations through introversion as well as depression. The connection grows
deeper as they share a sexual encounter verbally. Theodore starts growing positive and it
becomes evident in his writing. His positivity was very well reflected in his wellbeing too.
Whereas, Samantha’s enthusiasm to learn only grew.
Theodore learns from Amy that she is divorcing her husband and has grown connection
with a female AI which his husband had left, and thus, Theodore confesses about dating
Samantha, who too is an AI. Theodore meets Catherine to sign the divorce papers when he
mentions about Samantha. Catherine accuses him of being emotionally incompetent and thus he
needs as AI to face real emotions. This stays with Theodore, and Samantha recognizes that
something is wrong with him, she suggests her a sex surrogate, who would stimulate Samantha
and enable him to become intimate physically. Even though he is reluctant but gets overwhelmed
by the experience but distraught too. He abandons Isabella, the sex surrogate creating a tension
between himself and Samantha. Theodore reconciles and expresses that his best letters which
are addressed to Samantha, have been accepted by a publisher, which would soon be published
in the form of a book. Theodore, takes her for a holiday, when Samantha goes offline briefly.