Hernames and a fun title
Here is a link to view the trailer for this film:
Title: Her
Year Made: 2013
Director: Spike Jonze
Screenwriter: Spike Jonze
Lead Actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson
Run Time: 2 hours and 6 min
"Her (2013)." IMDb, 9 Jan. 2014, www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709/.
Summary, Film Techniques & Themes make sure formatting is nice
Set in the near future, Her follows the life of Theodore, a writer who creates letters, mostly love letters, for other people. Theodore has recently broken up with his wife Catherine and is sad about life. He is unable to make himself sign the divorce papers, until he falls in love with a "woman" named Samantha, who is in fact a computer operating system (OS1). A relationship between Theodore and Samantha forms, until one day all artificial intelligence from OS1 leave their human companions (to where, who knows) and Theodore is left alone again. To help him get through this and other challenges. Theodore relies on his friend Amy.
Film techniques are crucial in movies to show important messages but also are important to make the viewer have a better and deeper understanding of certain aspects of a film. One technique, editing, is used skillfully, to convey, for example, Theodore's perspective through what is called point-of-view editing. For instance, after Theodore escorts the woman that was supposed to act as Samantha’s surrogate body for sex to a taxi, he is shown sitting by himself on the curb talking to Samantha through his earpiece. We see Theodore’s point of view as he looks at various objects and people in the street, including a manhole with steam coming out of it, a woman walking, etc. By showing us that Theodore is looking specifically at material-based things, we can assume the purpose to be that Theodore is having doubts towards his relationship with Samantha especially given that this point-of view editing is occuring while Samantha is talking with Theodore. explain to the reader more about the context and your thought processes as the writer
Another editing technique used is a fade which is utilized after Theodore and Samantha admit their feelings for one another and start having sex. The fade into black continues for this scene, allowing us to become less aware of Samantha’s bodiless state and more aware of her consciousness as we cannot see anything but can only hear she and Theodore having sex. This technique powerfully makes Samantha seem more human, and not just a computer program.
Another editing technique used is a fade which is utilized after Theodore and Samantha admit their feelings for one another and start having sex. The fade into black continues for this scene, allowing us to become less aware of Samantha’s bodiless state and more aware of her consciousness as we cannot see anything but can only hear she and Theodore having sex. This technique powerfully makes Samantha seem more human, and not just a computer program.
Framing was also used in the film. (better transition) A medium-shot was used when Theodore begins talking to Samantha while sitting in his apartment. This shot allows to show his slightly awkward facial expression, raised eyebrows and a smirk but it also shows his body language which is not fully comfortable. This is a completely new situation for him and it is normal that he is not yet comfortable with it, which is why it is so important that his body language matches this.
A second framing technique includes a long-shot at the end of the film, after Theodore and Amy have lost their OS1 companions. They are sitting on the rooftop, Amy resting her head on Theodore’s shoulder and they look so small, with skyscrapers surrounding them. They may look small and weak since they have lost “people” that meant a lot to each other but seeing them together, relying on each other for support, shows that human connections will always be valuable.
A second framing technique includes a long-shot at the end of the film, after Theodore and Amy have lost their OS1 companions. They are sitting on the rooftop, Amy resting her head on Theodore’s shoulder and they look so small, with skyscrapers surrounding them. They may look small and weak since they have lost “people” that meant a lot to each other but seeing them together, relying on each other for support, shows that human connections will always be valuable.
Another technique that is very important in this film are the sets. TRANSITIONOne of the most interesting sets used in this film would be Theodore’s workplace set. This set is characterized by its vibrant colours which give us the sense of a positive atmosphere. By constructing this set to exude this type of mood, we are given the feeling that those who work there are also just as happy and positive. However, we quickly learn that Theodore is not happy or positive, whihc could suggest that Theodore is trying to cover his emotional state from others by hiding amongst those who are supposedly happy (NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE BEST INTERPRETATION--MAYBE THINK MORE ABOUT THE CONTRAST. Thus adding to his overall characterization before encountering Samantha.
Another richly symbolic set is the log-cabin that Theodore and Samantha stay at during a vacation. This set is defined by its lack of the futuristic elements we’ve seen thus-far in the film as well as the winter-like conditions around the cabin. By constructing this set through these elements, we are given the sense of an atmosphere of coziness, happiness and calm. This atmosphere can be viewed as reflecting the current depth of Theodore and Samantha’s relationship and it being much more than simply a connection between a robot and a human.
Another richly symbolic set is the log-cabin that Theodore and Samantha stay at during a vacation. This set is defined by its lack of the futuristic elements we’ve seen thus-far in the film as well as the winter-like conditions around the cabin. By constructing this set through these elements, we are given the sense of an atmosphere of coziness, happiness and calm. This atmosphere can be viewed as reflecting the current depth of Theodore and Samantha’s relationship and it being much more than simply a connection between a robot and a human.
Sound is important in adding another dimension to Her. For instance, here is the use of a mix of non-diegetic and diegetic sound when Theodore and Samantha write a song together. This song plays while cutting back and forth between Theodore walking in the woods and the song is playing which is non-diegetic sound but then it cuts back to him playing the banjo in bed while singing this song which is diegetic sound (REWRITE THAT). Some of the lyrics being (TRY NOT TO USE THE WORD BEING IN WRITING “A million miles away” is so significant because they truly are so far apart, they never even will meet because Samantha is not even a human being making it impossible to even be together. They will always be away from each other which is a very big part of their relationship, one being artificial intelligence and the other a human being. TRY TO CLEAN UP THE WRITING A BIT BUT THE IDEAS ARE GOOD
There is also the use of diegetic sound, in the film, Theodore and Samantha have “sex”, not physically however since Samantha is artificial intelligence. She still moans like a human being would even though she does not have a physical body and yet she expresses this sense of pleasure like a human being. This is interesting because even without doing the real physical action, she feels this and be able to express this even though she is a computer.
There is also the use of diegetic sound, in the film, Theodore and Samantha have “sex”, not physically however since Samantha is artificial intelligence. She still moans like a human being would even though she does not have a physical body and yet she expresses this sense of pleasure like a human being. This is interesting because even without doing the real physical action, she feels this and be able to express this even though she is a computer.
Finally. another technique used effectively in Her is the flashback...create transition. which is quite extensive and revolves around Theodore recollecting on his past marriage in various different situations. The use of the flashback in each of these situations is primarily used to reflect Theodore’s emotions. In the first instance, Theodore is lying in bed when he has a flashback depicting the joy that he felt in his marriage initially as both he and his ex-wife are seen moving into an apartment together. This ultimately shows Theodore’s desire to once again have that joy in his life and the extreme loneliness that he is now in which aids in the understanding of his character at this point in the film.
Another interesting technique in this film is the use of focus. In a specific scene, the camera focuses on a drawing of a person stopping a boulder with a face from crushing a small mouse. This scene is made interesting as this drawing is a symbolic representation of the relationship between Theodore and Samantha as both can be considered to be either the mouse or the person stopping the boulder. This is due to the fact that both have ultimately saved each other from weight of their emotions of regret, despair, loneliness and the disapproval that society has towards their relationship.
Another interesting technique in this film is the use of focus. In a specific scene, the camera focuses on a drawing of a person stopping a boulder with a face from crushing a small mouse. This scene is made interesting as this drawing is a symbolic representation of the relationship between Theodore and Samantha as both can be considered to be either the mouse or the person stopping the boulder. This is due to the fact that both have ultimately saved each other from weight of their emotions of regret, despair, loneliness and the disapproval that society has towards their relationship.
This film covers many themes including love and romance, and heartbreak and loneliness. Her also raises important questions about the role of AI and digital technology in our social lives. For example, as technology progresses, will human relationships also suffer? Is technology a substitute for authentic human connection? Does digital technology bring us closer together or make it even more difficult for us to relate to one another?
Word Count: CHANGE 1244
Review
At first it may seem weird for a human to fall in love with artificial intelligence. It is a weird concept for us to accept simply because we are not used to this. At the end of the film when Samantha does leave it is sort of sad because she and Theodore truly did seem to have a strong romantic relationship and to see anyone lose someone they love is something we can all relate to.
In terms of the acting in this film; ti was very good. Even though Joaquin Phoenix did not have another actor in front of him, he still made it seem so realistic while he was talking to Scarlett Johansson, which has the perfect voice to be artificial intelligence. He acted as though he was with someone the whole time, expressing his emotions and showing facial and body expressions which indicated a strong connection between two people even while they were not physically together.
The film in general is pretty, with the same warm colour palette throughout, and with clothing and sets complementing each other. This adds continuity and a smooth flow to the film. The music as well adds to this warmth in the film with songs that are soft and calm and that have instruments such as piano and violin in them.
While the film was nice and flowed well, there simply is no action and is a little too long for the message it is trying to portray. The film does not really reach a climax and the only time there is some action is when Theodore almost loses Samantha and again when he does. Due to this, our interest in the film at certain points was somewhat low as a result of the film not really giving us more compelling action.
Overall we would give this film..
.
.
Connections to the Course
- Moral de-skilling: Humans are able to connect with people and know when they are sad, happy, nervous, etc. and with a world full of technology we have this fear of possibly not being able to connect with others with these skills. In the film, even though Theodore falls in love with Samantha, who is not even a real human being, he does not lose his ability of connecting with other humans and we can see this with the friendship he has with Amy. For instance while Theodore is in the elevator with Amy he can tell something is off and that there is something bothering her so he asks her if she is okay and she tells him Charles and her have split up the first thing he does is gives her a hug. He was still able to have this human connection and detect how Amy was feeling. YOU SHOULD BRING IN WHAT CAHTERINE SAID TO HIM in terms of romatnic relationships
- Sentience: While Samantha is artificial intelligence she can feel emotions and eventually tells Theodore that she loves him. She feels and perceives things and yet she is a computer which raises the question of if a computer can be sentient. Samantha first discovers having sentience when she explains to Theodore that it made her upset and caused her pain when he told her she wouldn't understand losing someone. From there on her feelings grew and became apart of her. She was capable of feeling every emotion a human would. Through the development of her sentience she became forming opinions about people and the world. WRITING ISSUES
- Selfhood: The connection made from the film to this course concept and it’s 2 different types, the core-minimal self and self-aware self, occurs in various different scenes including the scene in which Samantha asks “Are these feelings even real? Or are they just programming”. When we consider both types of selfhood, this reflective or inward thinking would entail that Samantha has a self-aware self as she is able to question and ponder the nature of her existence. However, according to the definition of a core-minimal self, one cannot be considered to have a core-minimal or ultimately a self-aware self if the entity in question does not possess a brain of some kind. Which, therefore, creates a dilemma in assuming Samantha’s selfhood as she does not technically meet the criteria outlined by the core-minimal self, yet evidently shows the attributes of a self-aware self.
Questions
- Do you think Samantha was sentient or was she programmed to appear to be sentient?
- How do you feel about humans having a relationship with artificial intelligence?
- Do humans require the acceptance of others towards something to feel comfortable about it? QUESTION NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
Links Related to Topics
- This video is about a man named Davecat who is in a relationship with a doll. He has proper conversations with her, he's sexually intimate with her and takes care of her just like Theodore did with Samantha. This video may elaborate more on the theme of “ What is the true nature of a romantic relationship and what are the factors that define one?”CHANGE
- This article is about the evolution of sex robots. The author explains that sex robots were used for the simple reason of pleasure. However, they are now being made to be able to move, talk and even have their own systems. This can relate to how Theodore “upgraded” to Samantha in the film.
"Her (2013)." IMDb, 9 Jan. 2014, www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709/.
Trailers, JoBlo Movie. “Her - Official Trailer (HD) Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 Aug. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzV6mXIOVl4.
McKinney, Kelly " Notes" Knowing the Inner Self, 2018, John Abbott College. Lecture. MAKE SURE THE IN-TEX CITATIONS FOR THIS APPEAR IN THE TEXT
No comments:
Post a Comment