Best Picture Nominees — Her


The Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 2. Between now and then I'm taking a look at all nine Best Picture Nominees.

Movie: Her
Nominations: 5
Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay (Spike Jonze), Best Original Song (Karen O and Jonze), Best Original Score (Will Butler and Owen Pallett); Best Production Design
About: This might be one of the most unique films in the Best Picture race, which is nothing new for Jonze. Some were upset that Jonze didn't get a Best Director nomination, and none of the actors in the film were recognized, but there is something about "Her" that just really grabbed people. Joaquin Phoenix is excellent in a very difficult role, and I was amazed at how much screen presence Scarlett Johansson has despite the fact she only provides voice-over work. The rest of the supporting cast — including Rooney Mara, Amy Adams, and Chris Pratt — are also good in the film. And it's a film that takes a hard look at social isolation, technology, and what it means to find connection. We are all searching for connection, but sometimes the ease of connection via technology actually increases our sense of isolation. This theme was touched on lightly by "Wall-E" a few years ago, but is explored in a more thoughtful, adult way with "Her." The question is how will this film fair at the Academy Awards. Like so many films in this group, I think a Best Picture win is a long shot here. It's in the running for the two musical awards, but I think the best shot here might be for Jonze in the screenplay category. This has really been a labor of love for Jonze, and it is a truly original film in terms of concept and execution, so I could see him bringing home a screenplay Oscar. This is especially true if the Academy wants to spread awards out among the major films so that everyone goes home with something. But, as with many of the films in this year's race, I wouldn't be totally surprised if "Her" ended up winning no awards either. Either way, this will be a film that people are still talking about five years from now.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.
"Her" is now playing in theaters nationwide.

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