Yes, No, Maybe So: "Her"
Friday, August 9, 2013 at 8:01PM Before we begin let us celebrate the coming of another Spike Jonze movie and one that has the prestigious closing night gala spot at the NYFF this year. Jonze has yet to make anything less than very memorable (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Where the Wild Things Are not to menion numerous iconic music videos).
Let us also bask in the saturated colorogy of Her's poster
Mmmmm never have I loved reds bleeding into pinks before... perhaps it's the hypnotic turquoise of Joaquin's eyes? They're like pools of inviting water thatinduce hypothermia once you've dove in. They're so hypnotic I didn't even notice the mustache and I hate face carpet unless it's evenly spaced about the room. (in other words: beards are fine)
But we are here for the trailer and our Yes No Maybe So verdicts (after the jump)
YES
- "A Spike Jonze Love Story" is enough to sell me
- Even in condensed trailer form it looks bewitching and melancholy with a resonant sidewise jab at our communal dependance on technological crutches instead of human interaction.
- I was sad when they recast "Samantha" (Scarlett Johansson) but she sounds delicious. More and more I'm sensing this is a real breakthrough year for Scarlett in terms of gaining back her rep as a Gifted Actress.
- "How would you touch me?" ...perhaps very much. It looks suspiciously like something that will become hundreds of people's instant favorite... which is a scary lot to live up to
- Cinematography by the very awesome Hoyte Van Hoytema (Let the Right One In, Tinker Tailor)
NO
- Charlie Kauffman didn't write this. Sadface. With mustache to underline it. (not that Jonze isn't a good writer but I was hoping they'd be in tandem again, especially with such a rich premise)
- Rooney Mara is smiling again. What is happening to the world?
- Um... no, sorry, I got no "No"s. I'm just babbling to come up with some. No wait I do have one...
- That damn mustache!
Joaquin readies himself for our new banner
MAYBE SO
- If Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, and Olivia Wilde are only there to facilitate Joaquin's emotional arc, that would be annoying. They'd better have some inner life of their own because...
- Two hours is a long time to spend with Joaquin Phoenix.
- This could get really bogged down in self-pity and tweeness... though Jonze usually avoids those cliché emotional and stylistic traps in his films
- If this is furiously beloved by critics I can see Sideways Part Two coming with all the late year editorials complaining that critics loved it specifically because they are so much like its protagonist: middle aged white men with social and dating problems who spend a lot of time online. I'm not looking forward to these editorials which will probably be as mean as this.
Are you ready to fall for Her? Yes, no, or maybe so?
Reader Comments (45)
Loved everything in this trailer. All Yes to me!
Oh yes yes yes yes yes. YES. I am ready. Come crash into me Her!
But I will say, if this trailer is a fair indication of what the movie will look like, I hope this gets all of the same criticisms that got piled on Frances Ha or Bling Ring about deleting people of color from the urban experience. Because if it doesn't it'll just be the ultimate proof that we hold women to different standards than men, that even when women succeed we find new grounds for them to fail. And that would be depressing.
yes because it looks sad and charming (like Lars and The Real Girl)
Yes--intelligent filmmaker, fantastic look, interesting writing (at least in the trailer), the mustache (Phoenix looks great), all that red--I'm tired of everything being in blue.....Great poster.
Maybe--not a big Phoenix fan (too many crazies in his work and this looks like just another, albeit less obvious), theme is a bit tired (technology replacing real relationships)....
No--looks like a (twisted) chick flick and I'm not a fan of chick flicks, even the intelligent, twisted ones.
Caveat--there is a surprise where he tries to copulate with Sam and the electrical charge turns him into a serial killer who only wears green. Jones can be wonderful so I'm holding out hope there is something more than just the "All you need is a good woman to make you whole." (even if she isn't real) morale that the trailer seems to be pushing.
A thousand times, YES! For me, Jonze has yet to disappoint. When I heard about the premise, I was initially expecting something close to the more zany elements of Being John Malkovich, but this trailer presents the film as being more in the first-half of Adaptation territory. It'll be interesting to see how Jonze fares as the sole writer, but I love the way he tells stories. A trailer hasn't made me tear up since Beginners (before that, oddly enough, it was Where the Wild Things Are) and that movie continues to move and amaze me. If her gets even halfway close to that, I'll be in cinema heaven.
I want to make out with the poster.
But I have such a hard time with this film knowing the controversy with ScarJo replacing poor Samantha Morton. Also, I can't do the Kaufmann/Jonze quirk anymore. Actually, I'm just allergic to quirk these days.
I'm all yeses on this! This is seriously the best looking, most engaging and rewarding and surprising trailer I've seen this year so far. I have a feeling this could be that surprise Oscar contender that no one was predicting until two days ago.
This is a Yes! Yes! Yes!
"Are you ready to fall for Her?"
Thanks Nat. Looking forward to seeing that headline over and over again by all critics now.
Also, yes, I'm a YES.
YES:
Joaquin
Amy
ScarJo's voice
Hoyte van Hoytema as DP
Megan Ellison as producer
MAYBE SO:
Fear the trailer in Spike Jonze movies because Where the Wild Things Are was a perfectly fine adaptation but its trailer is otherworldly. This trailer somehow made me feel like I was about to fall apart.
Music by Arcade Fire. I lurve Arcade Fire like I lurved Karen O. But that does give credence to the likely critics of the movie who will find that collaboration too precious and twee like Karen O. with Where the Wild Things Are.
Concern that it may be too on the nose in what it is trying to convey.
Ditto on no Kauffman script although Kauffman sans Spike was considered unadulterated genius.
NO:
Rooney Mara smiling- SCIENCE FICTION. You could tell this was the Carrie Mulligan part.
"No--looks like a (twisted) chick flick and I'm not a fan of chick flicks, even the intelligent, twisted ones."
Huh? Is it because it appears JP is the only guy on screen? Spike did not suddenly become Gary Marshall. It seems like an indictment of modern romance the way other recent movies have tried and failed.
Also heard Lars and The Real Girl comparisons but that seems reductive and also the Bianca doll never just suddenly became an animated object. Samantha having a voice seems to be central in the connection Theodore has.
"But I will say, if this trailer is a fair indication of what the movie will look like, I hope this gets all of the same criticisms that got piled on Frances Ha or Bling Ring about deleting people of color from the urban experience"
I've never heard that with Frances Ha (although because it was compared with Girls it would not surprise me if it got the same criticisms as Girls) with a few of those characters being very privileged (When Frances goes home to Sacramento her circle of friends are much more diverse) and The Bling Ring was a specific set of privileged people with the ring-leader being Asian. I just think it is weird in general to throw that at directors who put out original material, especially when they fight tooth in nail to get that funding and creative control clout.
I ADORE that poster (especially since it almost implies that Phoenix is "Her" which is HILARIOUS).
The trailer is almost as good. I am a YES. Finding the right tone might be tricky with this one, but if anyone is a master of tricky tones, it's Spike Jonze. And the entire cast looks great.
Despite the presence of Streep ADAPTATION remains my favorite Spike Jonze experience. And due to the presence of Streep impossible for me to revisit without the violent urge to look at something else she hasn't tainted.
Joaquin Phoenix has my heart for life with his Freddie Quell in the rejected by the defected THE MASTER.
I wish Amy Adams and Olive Wilde weren't apart of this project. A failure to make some interesting casting choices like Chastain. Or the African-American actress who was Ass-Bender's love interest in Shame for the Wilde part.
Does anyone remember ELECTRIC DREAMS? From the 80s? I'm old.
Looks like a modern art-housey version of that. I liked ELECTRIC DREAM, and I'll probably also like HER.
This looks intriguing as a genuine change of pace for the actor. Joaquin, who was once a fave of mine, needs to redeem himself in my eyes after the drudging debacle of The Master.
YES. Kinda crushing on all of it.
I just want to know if Cameron Diaz gave Amy Adams any tips on how to act with frizzy, unruly hair in a Spike Jonze movie.
Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams -even if it is a supporting role, as usual- in a Spike Jonze film are enough for a big YES. I even love the mustache.
CMG--I tend to agree with you, though I think it's a conversation worth having, but I'm saying it'll be incredibly frustrating to see male directors get a pass from those who regularly use this criticism to discredit female voices. What's good for the goose is good for the gander after all.
@3rtful--Lol I love Chastain but does she really count as an interesting casting choice? She's been cast in every movie known to man.
@TB — She isn't I just prefer her ginger mug to Grandma Adams.
Yes. Big yes. I say this every time, but this fall is really shaping up quite nicely. I'm genuinely excited.
This is a definite yes for me but judging by the trailer it sounds like Scarlett Johansson is all wrong for the part of the operating system's voice. I'm thinking Jonze switched from Samantha Morton because Johansson has a much more "girlier" (for lack of a better word) voice, which would make falling in love with a piece of software a little more believable (I guess?). Hopefully this works and sounds a lot better over the course of an entire film.
Yes:
Spike Jonze (agreed)
Scar Jo (who's on a roll recently)
Amy Adams (agreed, she has a good amount of charm that can elevate characters who are charming but underwritten.)
Hoyte Van Hoytema (agreed, high quality cinematography)
Megan Ellison (taste!)
Joaquin Phoenix (I didn't really "love" The Master, but he at least created something that could have been an electrifying bit of flavour in a supporting role, instead of the noxiously bitter end result of a lead that we got)
That he's actually falling in love with the computer voice, and it doesn't SEEM completely villified, which was my biggest concern with the movie before seeing this trailer.
Olivia Wilde (who gave full life to a slightly under written character in Magic Mike. I'm guessing she'd be able to do the same here)
No:
I got nothing, really. I don't even hate Joaquin's slightly goofy mustache.
Maybe so:
Rooney Mara. I really liked her in The Social Network, but her overly self-conscious "tough girl" in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a disappointment and I, at least, don't necessarily get the sense that she can "elevate" material.
This seems like the movie to finally push forward the Oscar-nomination-for-voice-work movement. Samantha seems like the character and the personality to do it. Plus, any excuse to get Scarlett Johannsen in a form-fitting dress.
(in other words: beards are fine)
*Taylor Swift claps her hands*
I once had a friend that said Joaquin Phoenix was the ugliest pretty boy in Hollywood. Doesn't look so bad on here.
I'm obviously looking forward to it for all the reasons you state, and I'll definitely be seeing it... but. Hello manic pixie dream computer. I worry that, as you say, the women are just there to teach this broken man how to live again. I have such worries, to paraphrase DOUBT.
CMG writes
er... NOT BY ME.Joey -- love it. 'just try not to notice all the split ends in your peripheral vision'
I would have preferred Jessica Chastain in the Amy Adams role. And why is everyone so critical about Rooney Mara smiling?! She looks adorable and very sweet
Volvagia: it was Olivia Munn not Olivia Wilde. And they look very different
How the hell did Amy Adam keep getting casted in every movie?
What did she do?
NO:
The casting of the female characters is uninspired, considering the fact that his previous effort starred Catherine O'Hara, Lauren Ambrose and Catherine Keener.
I do think that this looks lovely. As far as women of color, I dont necessarily think that directors should actively seek out actresses of color. However I do think they should be open minded in who they consider in race neutral roles. On the other hand, when there is a cast this on a blog or forum. Everyone names White actresses including this site.
Sorry, I was on the train and my phone so I couldn't complete my thoughts. I really agree with Nathaniel when he says it's difficult to love minority actresses. How many minority actresses are getting consistent film work? Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Eva Mendes (mostly supporting work). I can't think of any Asian actresses? Whereas, Jennifer Lawrence, Rooney Mara, Carey Mulligan, Anne Hathaway, Emma Stone, Mia Whatsherface have films out every year. Let's not even mention minority actresses under the age of 30.
Anyway rant over.
It's a Yes for Her.
What are you talking about? Nathan's whole I can't get too attached to new black female talent because Hollywood won't accommodate them is his own stubbornness to face the reality for non-white female talent and accept the fact that stage and television are the only mediums willing to take chances on black female talent because they're the lesser mediums. Everyone wants to be in movies.
I'm a massive Yes since this is my favorite trailer of the year. It strikes a beautiful tone of touching and melancholy.
Guys, Chastain cannot be in EVERY movie and I say that as somebody who is a total stan of hers. I also want this to be Amy Adams year, okay. Drop Dead Gorgeous alumni have a special place in my heart.
NathanielR- Ha! Yeah, Synedoche is not for everybody but the movie is wordplay on my hometown, so it already won me over for that.
TB- I got you. The level at which Lena Dunham was criticized, for example, really rubbed me the wrong way. So many shows by so many men that took place in that location as her show never got the same intense scrutiny. Gender definitely had something to do with it along with age (I am in Lena's age group and sorry, those in our age-group who act like we are this agreeable rainbow of diversity are being a little too idealist- I went to a similar liberal arts college as Dunham and the insularity that covers over to post-collegiate exists even if it is not conscious). Definitely a conversation worth having at an industry-wide level than picking on certain people as people who make those shows or just like those shows get really defensive.
does amy adams have to be in every mivie? I guess she is the successor
To Renee Zellweger.
I'm all YES!! It's my most anticipated movie of the year, and I hope Amy Adams scores, either here with this (which I'd prefer since I feel she's such a great character/supporting actor and not at all a leading lady) or with American Hustle (in which she looks like she'd campaign as lead).
Joaquin Phoenix continues to flex his acting muscles - could there be a win in the horizon, with PT Anderson's INHERENT VICE?
P.S. - Nathaniel, the trailer for PHILOMENA is here, Judi Dench looks award-baity as hell but then again everyone knew she would. The trailer gives the movie a much lighter tone than I'd expect though...
Manuel: Okay, then that's a maybe so. Confused, slap me hard.
I'm a YES because the trailer was very good and Scarlette's voice is mesmerizing... and sensual... and a lot of other things I won't say, lol.
Anybody know the name of the 3rd song in the trailer?
yes
3rtful - I think Nathaniel's whole thing is that he understands and agrees with every point you just made; he just wishes it weren't true. It's not stubbornness to be frustrated.
Have you seen Sideways recently? No one has any excuse for loving that movie, much less if they are a critic and therefore have a semblance of taste. It plays like a movie written by people who have never had a conversation with a woman in real life, or who never pass up the chance to plonk in a montage tuned to elevator music. It's like a dry run for The Descendants.
Meantime. A new Spike Jonze movie? I'm a yes. A hell yes, once you throw Amy Adams into the mix.
With the female cast of this movie how can the massively actressexual majority of viewers of this site be anything but a "yes"?
And for all the non-adorers out there, I, for one, will pay to see Amy Adams sit in a mud puddle and stare vacantly at a rosebush if someone films it and puts it on a screen in my town. Just sayin' ...