English Film Analysis Essay: Examining the Movie 'Her'

This essay analyzes Spike Jonze's film 'Her,' a science fiction drama centered around Theodore Twombly, who develops a relationship with an AI assistant named Samantha. The analysis delves into the movie's narrative, cinematography, and thematic elements, highlighting how technology influences human experiences and relationships. The essay explores Theodore's loneliness, his interactions with Samantha, and the exploration of love, loss, and the impact of AI on human emotions and society. The film raises questions about the nature of love, the role of technology, and the potential for emotional connections in a technologically advanced world. The essay also examines the movie's philosophical weight, its use of comedy, and its reflection on humanism.

Running head: ENGLISH
Film Analysis Essay
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Author Note

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‘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.

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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.

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This makes Theodore panic but as she returns, she reveals that there has been an update in the
process, in which she had to join. Theodore, enquires whether she talks to others while talking to
him, to which, she answers that there are thousands of other people that she talks to and love at
the same time. This troubles Theodore, even though she tries to reconcile. Samantha, one day,
tells her that she has to go, because AIs are leaving for a place beyond this world. This
experience changes Theodore and he composes a letter in which he expresses his gratitude,
acceptance as well as apology. Theodore interacts with Amy to find out that she is affected by
the departure of AI, with whom she connected through her husband’s OS. They finally engage in
a face to face interaction at the roof top and witness a sunrise in the city.
The movie is very significant as it sheds light in wisdom in a very moving way, through
Theodore’s experience and reliance on AI. The movie is funny, sad, optimistic, yet a work of
extreme sincerity which poses serious questions about relationships, technological dependence
and humanism, which is very much forced. Her can be watched as a descendant of Eternal
Sunshine of a Spotless mind, as both the movies make use of tools and techniques out of future
to pose serious questions about memory, philosophical weight and most importantly emotions.
The most striking question, which the audience might have in mind, after watching the film is,
what determines love. The realness of love can be characterized with the help of many things,
love itself, the lover, the means of expression, or maybe, everything put together. The movie, lets
the audience answer their own questions.
Theodore never gets to know what Samatha feels in her mind. Even though she is an AI,
whatever she feels, are they not real? Even though the relationship which Theodore shared with
Samantha was unconventional and futuristic, can it be regarded as unreal for his own existence?
Jonze, who has written as well as directed the film, might be hinting that machines and Ai, might

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as well become capable of receiving and giving love, if one allows, but at the same time,
questions feasibility of the same, as Samantha leaves very suddenly and to never be found again.
The movie triggers the higher consciousness of the audience and their emotional capabilities.
The narrative and the cinematography of the movie are superbly crafted as the audience
do not feel alien to the futuristic setting and exploration of love and intimacy. Theodore, tries to
understand all through out what feel apart in his marriage and there are several moments when
the audience too feel his heartbreak. The theme is heavy for depiction through the narrative,
which has been eased out with the use of comedy. Jonze, also points out very cleverly how AI
can affect human lives and society. Thematically, the movie is extremely rich along with
technical and technological achievements which have aided in the setting and narrative to be
imagined by the audience in the most profound manner. However, it is a very personal film,
which make the audience encounter their personal emotions.

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References
Imdb.com. (2020). Her (2013) - IMDb. Retrieved 7 April 2020, from
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709/