Her

Continuing along the path of Best Picture nominees, we have one of my personal favourites; Her by Spike Jonze. 

As I said last Monday, I really wanted this movie to win, because I think it's story is different than most "romantic" movies now a days. And it teaches us a valuable lesson about love, and how we interact and treat people.

The plot of the movie is very simple; Theodore is a writer going through a divorce from his childhood friend turned lover. He then, in a fit of loneliness, he decides to purchase the new OS1, which is advertised as the world's first artificially intelligent operating system. It's basically just like a real person - without a body. The operating system names herself Samantha, and she and Theodore form a special relationship.
 The conflict of the movie is also somewhat simple. It's really just about how their relationship face different troubles, and how they might overcome them. But most of the movie is just aesthetically pleasing journey of love and self-discovery. There's some really pretty shots and montages, and you just don't really have to think that much when watching the movie. It's really mostly afterwards all those thoughts about love and life, and how we all deal with it comes floating down to your brain.

Her is also a bit of a comedy, it has some funny lines and parts. There's especially one scene that went from awkward awkward to just funny awkward, in like 0.5 seconds. I'll give a hint; it has something to do with being strangled with a cat. And trust me. It is funny ... in an awkward way. But yeah, it's not all a lovefest movie, with cutsy moments. It also has real moments of seriousness and hardship. There's particularly one scene that was very emotional for me, because it just made me realise some personal things, and it was bit heartbreaking to see. 

Another thing I should mention before I wrap this up is the acting. Most of the dialogue in this movie is between Theodore and Samantha, and since Samantha doesn't have a face, let alone a body, we just see Theodore. And with just a voice to react to and act with, Joaquin Phoenix does an excellent job. He really makes you believe Samantha is more than a operating system, and that he thinks of her as a person. The same can be said of Scarlett Johansson - the voice of Samantha. She really brings life to Samantha, and makes you forget she is just a machine. 

Just take a look at this scene. It's really wonderful.