This film was on my must-watch list for 2013, since I had heard so much about it. I also wanted to see it since I am a fan of Joaquin Phoenix. The concept behind the film was fairly simple but complex at the same time. The idea that someday you will be able to purchase your very own personal operating system or OS. Phoenix, who was currently going through a divorce, decides to purchase this OS. The voice of his OS was played by Scarlett Johansen. She was great as his OS. The OS was essentially his personal assistant, who could schedule appointments, look things up for him, talk to him, comfort him, etc. He eventually ends up falling in love with his OS. I know it sounds ridiculous, but the OS was programmed with an attractive feminine voice that was really interested in getting to know her owner.
Spoilers…
The break up begins when the OS realizes she needed and wanted more than her relationship with Phoenix. Being internet connected the OS begins relationships with many other humans and other OS’s. When Phoenix find this out, he felt cheated on. It was a little bit unclear to me if there was just one OS that everybody purchased and shared time with, or if there were several different OS’s. It really did not matter, but for Phoenix, he felt the OS was his girlfriend and could not handle the idea of her talking to many others. Amy Adams was also in this film in a limited role, playing the part of a neighbor, who also owned an OS. The breakup was initiated by the OS, causing Phoenix to panic a little bit and run over to Amy Adams who told him her OS had also left her.
Although I really enjoyed the film, I did not find it to be one of my top films of 2013. I found the concept highly entertaining as well as the execution of the relationship presented.
*****
