On top of the many projects James Franco generally has in the mix on any given day, the polymath also spends some time writing for Vice, giving him a place to talk about art, movies, “12 Years A Slave,” why Walt Whitman was the first Kanye West or whatever else might cross his mind. And his latest thing he’s ruminating on? Spike Jonze‘s sci-fi rom-com, “Her.”
Not so much of a review, as an essay, Franco waxes about the film explaining (among other things) how Samantha (the Siri-esque OS voiced by Scarlett Johansson) is the inverse of the dead lovers in Cormac McCarthy‘s “Child Of God” (which Franco adapted into a movie, fyi). He also relates how a breakup sequence feels fresh with the new dynamic between a human and non-human, much in the way “Brokeback Mountain” found new territory with its gay leading couple.
Anyway, it’s a bit headier of a response than you’ll find in most other places, and worth a glance. And now for the lighter side: you would think the licensing opportunities for “Her” would lean more toward the technology side of things, but it’s actually been the fashion of the film that has been getting people’s attention. The official shoes from the film are already available to own, and now you can try Joaquin Phoenix‘s pants on for size. Indeed, THR reveals that his high-waisted pants—along with the rest of Theodore Twombly’s wardrobe (plus fashions for the ladies too)—is available at Opening Cermony stores if you want to be most hipster of all the hipsters.
Lastly, what does the real Siri think about a movie about an OS falling in love? As Buzzfeed points out, it’s not impressed.
“Her” is now playing in limited release and goes wide on Friday. 3 new TV spots below.