It's hard to write about a film like this. One of my favorite films, especially in the relationship variety is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and this is the closest I've seen to that since. Not to compare the two just because they both have outside-the-box concepts - but because they use them to put a spotlight on relationships in a really meaningful way. This one, for those who don't know, is about a man in the near future who falls in love with his computer/phone's operating system.
There's a moment in the middle of the film where Phoenix's character says that he thinks he's already felt everything he's ever going to feel - and it hit me like a ton of bricks and made me wonder if I'd experienced that as well. It's a scary thing to think that you're cut off from feeling anything new. This film is full of thoughtful commentaries on life like that - as well as "The past is a story we tell ourselves." I'm a sucker for that kind of shit.
What Jonze does really well here is milk the concept about as much as it can be - which he does equally in other high-concept films he's done. If I have a complaint about this film is I did feel that it went on a bit longer than needed - I went from being lost inside of this beautiful world and story and then suddenly was aware that it didn't feel like it was building to something. That aside, I still loved this story. It's without a doubt my favorite Phoenix performance. Voice wise Scarlet Johanson is a perfect choice - she's playful and sexy and has all the other human qualities we need for the role as well. I guess I wondered if it wouldn't have been different though with the voice of an unknown actor, where I wasn't able to picture their face the way I was here. I guess I'll never know.
I was excited to see this nominated for Best Picture, it deserves that kind of attention. It's still in cinemas - so please - if you like good solid love stories this is one that you need to see.
