Synopsis For Spike Jonze's Film With Joaquin Phoenix Reveals Futuristic Setting, Official Title Revealed

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by Kevin Jagernauth
August 31, 2012 1:28 PM
6 Comments

Okay, this isn't entirely revealing stuff we sort of didn't already know, but considering how shrouded in mystery Spike Jonze's next feature is, this is a pretty nice new bit of official information. But before we get to it let's just recap for a moment. The new film, Jonze's first full length effort since 2009's sublime "Where the Wild Things Are," stars Joaquin Phoenix with a trio of leading ladies in "The Master" co-star Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Olivia Wilde. Plot details thus were said to center on a man who fell in love with a Siri-like voice. But that's not quite accurate.

Over on production company Annapurna Pictures' website (who are also behind the Phoenix/Adams-starring "The Master") they've quietly posted this official synopsis, which sheds a bit more light on the film: In the not so distant future, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely writer purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every needs. To Theordore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love story blends science fiction and romance in a sweet tale that explores the nature of love and the ways that technology isolates and connects us all.

But that's not all. The folks over The Film Stage have confirmed through their sources, that the film has a brand new and simple title: "Her." Googling that movie title will be fun.

So, basically Theodore falls in love with OS X or whatever people are using in the near future? That actually sounds perfectly high concept, and right in Jonze's wheelhouse, and he's already shown a deft hand at blending sci-fi, melancholy heartbreak and comedy with the excellent short "I'm Here." And hell, we're just excited to see Joaquin Phoenix (actor of our generation?) going from the disturbed Freddie Quell to something quite different, and perhaps polar opposite. The casting alone is fantastic all around.

No word yet on when this will hit screens, but we reckon it will be a major festival presence next year.

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More: Spike Jonze, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Her

6 Comments

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Tambra Fazaeli | August 31, 2012 8:59 PMReply

I was at the filming in Topanga Canyon, in a small cottage style house, with Joaquin, Sam Mortan, and Spike Jonze. All very hush-hush. I have a piece of the script that the crew left behind; dialogue, director's notes, etc. It was cool to watch. Sam was gracious. Phoenix was...in work mode. The house was my brother's, so we spent the day together; they made it snow in June in So Cal. Want to know more...?
Matt | September 24, 2012 3:26 AM

Yeah, it would be amazing to see all of that at some point! Or some kind of summary of the whole experience..
MICHAEL B. | August 31, 2012 6:12 PMReply

Her?
GOB | September 9, 2012 9:06 PM

Is she funny or something?
jonathan | August 31, 2012 2:08 PMReply

So I'm guessing Amy Adams is the voice of Siri. I'd fall in love with that.
Alexis | August 31, 2012 2:08 PMReply

I really hope this operating system is Rooney Mara! :)