The future is a frightening, and often shiny, place - at least when it's imagined in films. These stories often unfold with (shiny) robots taking over the household chores and then the world; machines controlling men or weapons that could wipe out humanity. This envisioned future leaves a comfortable distance between the audience in the present, and the leap into the unknown - with either no clear path for how we might get there or the potential for it to be stopped.
Spike Jonze's new film 'Her' is different. The future is so real in this story about a lonely man falling in love and entering into a relationship with his intelligent operating system, that I was left feeling pretty sure that Jonze can in fact, see into the future. From the mannerisms to the aesthetics, the future has been so carefully thought out that it seemed both excitingly, and worryingly, close. Many subtle pieces of technology and ideas appear throughout the film, painting a very plausible world that may just come true - so here are a few advances that present a compelling glimpse into the future...
Spike Jonze's new film 'Her' is different. The future is so real in this story about a lonely man falling in love and entering into a relationship with his intelligent operating system, that I was left feeling pretty sure that Jonze can in fact, see into the future. From the mannerisms to the aesthetics, the future has been so carefully thought out that it seemed both excitingly, and worryingly, close. Many subtle pieces of technology and ideas appear throughout the film, painting a very plausible world that may just come true - so here are a few advances that present a compelling glimpse into the future...
1. Cities
The city of the future looks like Los Angeles with a face lift. A cross between a newly built eco-city, a Chinese metropolis of the upmost efficiency, and an Apple Store. Everything is sleeker, litter free and looks pretty inviting. Stunning architecture dominates the horizon and, down at eye level, screens filled with high definition advertising are everywhere. These visual adverts appears to be almost entirely slow motion videos - because that's what sells in the future, slow mo.
2. No cars go
Aside from design, it was also notable that there are no cars. Partly because as soon as you see a vehicle in a film, it is dated forever more, but also because pedestrians now have the right of way. I did spot one bus in the background that hadn't changed at all, which is perhaps indicative of innovation focusing on things that make money - in this case, personal technology - whilst our more archaic forms of infrastructure remain ignored. But hey, everyone loves buses...
3. Letter writing
Throw out your pen and paper right now. In the future there will be no need to write your own letters; whether they be love letters, apology notes, newsletter updates, you'll be hiring someone to write it for you. Just send your personal letter writeryour life history and intimate photos, (all those personal details you love to share) and they'll do the rest. In 'Her', it appears that the letter writers know more about your relationship than you do, and computers seem to know even more than that! Lucky we're so good at keeping data safe.
4. Non-intrusive technology
So it turns out Google Glass have been barking up the wrong tree. Nobody wants awkward and uncomfortable looking glasses cluttering up their whole face. Instead, Jonze has designed a very simple wireless ear pieces that you can just pop into your ear and forget about. Coupled with a small pocketbook-like phone with three cameras, technology is now fashionable, uniform and problem free. Subtlety is key, as the trend of phones larger than your face will (hopefully) be forgotten.
5. Voice control
Speaking of subtlety, there is no need for keyboards anymore as everything is voice controlled. Everyone walks the streets happily talking to themselves and nobody bats an eyelid, even heated arguments or romantic conversations muttered to yourself seem normal. You will just have to be careful you don't fall in love with your operating system - though the soothing tones of Scarlett Johansson probably won't be voicing all of them, so you might be alright.
6. High waisted trousers
Everyone is wearing high waisted trousers. I'm not sure what this means but I can definitely see this being the future, start hitting the charity shops now.
Fabricating the future on screen has always been about mirroring present day anxieties about technology - it used to be about machines displacing man and weapons becoming more powerful. Now those fears are far more subtle, with technology becoming ever more personal, 'Her' presents a glimpse into future where everything is more comfortable, intuitive and above all, individual. I highly recommend watching the beautiful film to find out if this all has a happy ending...
Anya Muir Wood
Anya Muir Wood
