Humans have a need for connection. That's why, typically, when you've spent a great amount of time without interaction, you feel sad, depressed, or in a rather melancholy mood. Your mood is usually lifted once you've had a conversation with someone, gone out and been among people (even if you are simply people watching at a local coffee shop). This need for connection is what drives us to find another to connect with. Connecting with our video games, Netflix shows, or pets never ends up being enough. Our family and friends tend to help fill in that gap when we aren't in a relationship, but again, we need more. What has hindered our species, as of late, is the exponential growth of technology. More specifically, our cell phones. The next time you are at a public place, I want you to look around at the people surrounding you. You'll see couples, friends, people alone, and I promise you, they will all be on their phones. We are all victims of this. Our need to stay connected has been warped into being connected to all and everything we have access to. The problem is, it's taking away our experiences with ourselves and those close to us. That couple at the table across from you at a restaurant 8 years ago would be gazing into each others eyes, now they are on their Facebook newsfeed, checking out sports highlights, or on Pinterest. Even how we use our phones has changed. We now have the capabilities to command our phones to check movie times, give us directions, find out attractions, or whatever else we desire. So take that need for connection, the need to stay connected, then upgrade Siri to a more humanized companion with a personality, emotions, who seems to really know you, and we've got a problem. Before continuing, I know this is an odd concept, but I encourage you to have an open mind and realize just how easy this problem could occur where humans have relations with their phones. Especially those who have had awful experiences with other fellow humans. Let's be honest, relationships can be amazing, scary, life altering, and heartbreaking all in one. So how simple would it be if it was with an OS? We shall see.
Meet Theodore. Theodore lives in a technologically advanced time in the city of LA where a new OS (operating system) program has been released. This new system is made to be compatible with your personalty. Theodore, whom is going through a traumatic divorce with his high school sweetheart, tends to close himself off from the world. He is vulnerable and doesn't want to get his heart broken, but he also, like all of us, desires connection. So it isn't surprising that he purchases this OS system and embarks on a relationship I don't even think he thought possible.
Now meet Samantha. Samantha is an OS. She is sweet, intuitive, compassionate, and nurturing. She is everything a guy could ask for. Except the fact that she is an OS. In fact, she is now Theodore's OS.
The two hit it off quite well. Their relationship begins as what you'd expect. She organizes his emails, proof reads his writing, and basically serves as a personal assistant. What makes her so much more is her humanistic qualities. Samantha asks him questions about his life, listens intently, and has a desire to learn all there is to know about the world. Unfortunately, it is her thirst for knowledge that truly hurts them in the long run.
As times continues, Theodore and Samantha develop a bond. She knows everything about him as Theodore shares things with her he's never shared before. At this point in most human relationships, that is when love comes into the picture. That, my friends, is exactly what happens here. Our Theodore and Samantha fall in love.
At this point you are most likely wondering how this relationship works. I assure you, they go on dates, have strong communication, hang out with friends together, and yes, have sexual relations. Samantha's physical form, or lack there of, doesn't come between them as you might think. It's actually Samantha's evolution that will give them the true test of their love.
You truly care about Theodore and see how his divorce weighs on him. So seeing him evolve and learn how to truly appreciate life helps you overlook the odd scenario he is in. You also realize, Theodore is not the only one in an OS relationship. This brings us back full circle to my main point. This film shows just how easy many develop connections with their operating systems. One seen shows over 50 people walking outside on a sunny day. Each person smiling, enjoying life, but through their technology. Nobody is talking to each other. It is very sad and instantly made me want to toss my phone in the garbage.
So as you can see, there are several lessons to be learned from seeing this film
. It will appeal to many movie viewers with its technology, love story, and deep pondering regarding human interaction. If you go in with an open mind, you will be able to take away something valuable.
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