NYFF: A Few Thoughts on "Her"
Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 8:31PM Jose here. The New York Film Festival is coming to its end this weekend and earlier today we were treated to Spike Jonze's Her, which has its official world premiere at the festival tonight.
The film takes place in a not so distant future where human communications have evolved into something quite fascinating: people get paid to write handwritten letters, video games push your buttons and force you to try harder and computer operating systems have personalities that you can even fall for. This happens to the film's protagonist Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls madly in love with his OS named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).
The film is a small masterpiece that will undoubtedly appear on endless Top Ten lists at the end of the year and here are a few random thoughts I had about the film and at the press conference that followed which included appearances from Jonze, Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Olivia Wilde.
More Jonze, Phoenix and ScarJo after the jump!
1. Is Joaquin Phoenix the best romantic leading man out there?
I know Joaquin Phoenix's name isn't the first that comes to mind when we think romantic movies, at least not in the way Cary Grant or even Tom Hanks would during their respective heydays, but watching his sad, heartbroken face as Theodore and the way he responded to the wonderful actresses around him (he had wonderful chemistry with all of them!) made me swoon in such a way, that I ended up wanting to date him too. This reminded me of his terrific work in James Gray's Two Lovers, in which we also see him give in to chaotic love with complete abandon and of course there's also his Johnny Cash...Do you think filmmakers should be pursuing him for more '70s style romances (think of him as Jon Voight, Pacino or De Niro opposite Fonda, Pfeiffer and Streep)
2. Has Spike Jonze become his very own Charlie Kaufman?
Jonze has made four movies. The first two were written by Charlie Kaufman, the third co-written by Jonze and Dave Eggers and Her he wrote all by himself. After Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, it seemed as if the duo Jonze-Kaufman was the most creative team in Hollywood, but then Kaufman went on to work with other directors and even directed his own films. And here we have Her, a film so unique and quirky that it feels Kaufman-esque. Did Jonze learn how to write like Kaufman? Did Kaufman appropriate Jonze's aesthetics? Is this an egg and chicken situation? Regardless, the writing is precious.
Here's what the actors had to say about how they reacted to the screenplay.
3. Why Do Movie Stars Who Hate Press Conferences Go to Press Conferences?
Making his second appearance at this year's NYFF, Joaquin was slightly more social today than he was at the press conference for The Immigrant, where he seemed to enjoy torturing poor James Gray with his antisocial skills. Today, he ran towards the stage screaming out "Roooooney!" when the host mistakenly called her name out first. He proceeded to avoid questions and torture Rooney Mara, who looked even more uncomfortable than him. I think they are both terrific actors and their social awkwardness makes for some great anecdotes but sometimes I can't help but feel their pain.
4. Hello Olivia Wilde!
Shyness and social awkwardness allow for others to steal your thunder and Olivia Wilde was today's MVP (after Jonze of course whose responses were a joy). I have never really "gotten" her, but today as she rescued Amy, Rooney and Joaquin constantly (while towering over them in fierce stilettos) I couldn't help but want to go home and see more of her work. Has anyone seen Drinking Buddies? Should I check it out?
5. Welcome back ScarJo!
Her performance in Her (this will get confusing, I know...) might be her finest work to date. So full of nuance, precision and soul...and to think we never even get to see her! Jonze answered a question about why not going with Samantha Morton as originally intended. He was diplomatic enough to praise Morton's contributions to the film, but upon listening to Scarlett's work, it's one of those "I can't imagine anyone else in the part" kind of things. I'm sure in a screening somewhere room in Los Angeles, Lake Bell is watching this film and crying from joy, feeling extra proud of ScarJo. Extra points for being sexier here than in Don Jon, where she was already on fire!
6. Movies Her reminded me of:
Annie Hall, Annie Hall, Annie Hall.
I think it's officially my favorite American film of 2013. Can't wait for everyone else to see it and talk about it.
How about you dear reader? Will you be watching the film tonight or going on opening week next month? Do you think of Joaquin as the ultimate romantic leading man? What advice would you give to him and Rooney about public speaking?
Reader Comments (27)
Could Joaquin get another oscar nod? He is due for a win...
God... will ScarJo end as "The Actress of the Year"??? Don Jon, Under the Skin and now Her... Where was this girl a few years ago?
Mark: I'll leave the predicting to Nat, but in my opinion he should have won last year and between "The Immigrant" and "Her" - both of which I LOVED - he should be at least nominated for something this year. I don't believe AMPAS will go for him this year though, he's way too introverted and un-showy in this one.
Ed: here's hoping! I'm sure after people see this movie, we'll have another "should there be an Oscar for voice-over" discussion.
well, guess the Academy has a lot of reasons for wanting to see her nominated... or will ScarJo's 2013 be like her 2003? An year full of great performances and Oscar buzz but with no Oscar nom?...
Saw "Don Jon" yesterday and she was AMAZING! Never saw her so "alive"... Her Broadway turns sure turned her in a more interesting (and more conscious about her body) actress
UNDER THE SKIN likely won't be released in 2013 so that doesn't work in her favour.
Ed: it's funny you mention Broadway, because I saw her earlier this year in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and it was the first time I saw her be magical. I've always loved her and think she's great, but I feel like directors rarely push her to do any real "work". After "Lost in Translation" everyone wanted her to be this languorous muse or a sex object. She was alive onstage in a way I never thought she could be (heck, not even Chastain had that kind of stage presence!)
" Do you think of Joaquin as the ultimate romantic leading man?" ....Yes. Since wonderful (and underrated) Two Lovers....or no....since Walk The Line..or..who am I kidding, I even thought he was romantic as Commodus..Joaquin Phoenix can make you feel for him - to feel for his characters and the pain, love and sorrow they go through.
As for his social skills...I can think of no one I would rather listen to on Oscar night...that would truly be a speech to remember.
AMY! <3
As for the press conference thing, I suppose they're being guilt-tripped by the movie's PR? Or their own? Or have too many people mistakenly think that they've done this long enough, they're actors, surely they've learned how to fake it?
... Seriously, some actors need to do press conferences after a couple of beers. It will make everyone happier.
annie hall, really? that is some crazy generous praise
haha - point # 3 & 4 crack me up. I've seen Phoenix, Adams & Rooney be pretty freakin awkward. Proof that celebrities are people too.
This movie is fucking incredible. I floated out of the theater. Career best work from just about everyone involved. So beautifully crafted, so deeply felt and insightful. Argh! I've been a Spike Jonze fan since the beginning, and he has made some really touching, heartbreaking, wonderful movies, but I honestly didn't think he had something like this in him. By far his most fully realized film to date. Just a staggeringly wonderful movie. I haven't been this bowled over in ages.
Movies I was reminded of: Manhattan, Eternal Sunshine, A.I.
Oooo I have to totally disagree on Olivia Wilde here. No matter how hard she tries, she's just always a TV actor to me. As far as female ciphers go, I was much more interested in the "surrogate" woman in this film. ScarJo continues to prove her total rebirth, incredible voice performance, and Amy Adams was a major highlight--she's the wheel upon which the plot turns oddly enough, so she gets the best scenes.
I'm jealous of everyone who have already seen this movie.
I'm not into Olivia Wilde as an actor, but as a celebrity she excels.
Who is Olivia Wilde what has she starred in,she is unheard of here in uk,i just called 5 friends none of them knew who she was,they knew Amy and Scarlett all 6 of 'em.
My expectations couldn't be any higher.
Meantime, re: Drinking Buddies - it's a gem. Unfairly neglected and beautifully acted by all, including, yes, Olivia Wilde
this post reminds me of Michael's "Burning Question" about perfect runs from directors. Jonze's filmography is just wow.
There really is so much to talk about with regards to this movie. Like I cannot wait to discuss this over the coming months. I can't wait for the reviews, I can't wait for the arguments. I can't wait for my friends to see it. I don't think I was quite as in love with the film as most people, but at the same time, it feels like everything cinema should aspire to be. Totally engaging, totally thoughtful, totally discussion-worthy.
But I really want to say yeah: ScarJo and Joaquin are incredible. INCREDIBLE.
I'm so damn jealous! One of these days I'm going to have to take a trip to NYC for the sole purpose of seeing movies I can't see here in Miami. People do that, right? That's normal.
Really excited for this! I think Joaquin is the best actor of his generation, and it's so nice to see Scarlett back in good movies. Jonze is a genius.
YayJose! This movie completely blew me away. It's marvelous. I could write a small book on its layered accomplishments. Absolutely top-5 material for me. And good for you for giving Scarlett so much credit. She is EXTRAORDINARY. If I had my way, I'd put her up for a combo Supporting Actress nod for this and Don Jon. I have never enjoyed/appreciated her more than I have in these two films.
I'm curious about this career resurgence for scarlett.
too many times I find her an unnatural performer, especially with her voice, but maybe here it suits her?
though what I've seen from "don jon" (only clips) she looks very good indeed - and is actually taking an effort!
Can't speak for Her -- oh, how I'd love to be able to -- but ScarJo is absolute aces in Don Jon. It's kind of a thorny character, but boy does she sell it -- sells it like Paris Hilton did that sex tape.
I think we can basically agree that a hiatus (however brief) from movies and move to the stage was one of the better career decisions that ScarJo ever made.
So, so excited to see this movie!
Shes doing matt m.
It was SO GOOD!! Loved it. Such a gem