Her

While writer/director Spike Jonze creates a fascinating contemporary romance tale, complete with realistic snags, what is most interesting is the story's underlying commentary.

One half of the relationship at the center of 'Her' may lack a physical form, but it is nonetheless a film about the universality of romance: its longing, its intensity, and its transformative power - for the best, and the worst.

The quasi-science fiction story of the film feels entirely possible, as Phoenix stares around him at passersby, all entranced with an electronic device in their hands.

Phoenix's performance is imbued with such genuine heartsickness that Theodore's musings on why his marriage fell apart ring of piercing, real-life regret, not break-up bromides.

As Her slips into an inevitable melancholy, it becomes less about trans-humanity and more about, well, humanity.

In the battle between head and heart there remains a Tin Man-shaped hole, leaving the viewer smiling wryly at the thought-provoking conceits while remaining as emotionally isolated as the movie's protagonist.

It is profoundly unique and endlessly thought-provoking to say the least. I don't think I've ever seen a film take such a strange initial vibe and turn it into something completely approachable, relatable, and significant.

The world that Spike Jonze brings us is absolutely incredible.

…a delicate, rather melancholy film, one that relates to a time when communication is everywhere, but the users of the technology feel more alone than ever…

The true worth of Her will be realized when the idea that it is based upon is ultimately achieved. Whenever that happens in the future, people are going to look back at Her in disbelieved awe for foreseeing the future with such disarming precision.