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Want

Complex.  Unavoidable.  Omnipresent.  Our ultimate shortcoming?

That was one of the themes in the movie we recently watched titled 'her'.  It is a not so far off science (hence not fi)  story of a somewhat depressed story teller (yes it is his job or more accurately a letter writer - an extension of hallmark cards) who finds companionship of a more than technical and cerebral kind with his computer's operating system.

It is both ironic and logical that he is shown in an almost non operating state - somewhat devoid of interest in life following his separation and impending divorce of the girl he had loved.  Then he finds his operating system.  It is a software based incarnation that is capable of learning moods of its owner.  Through some parallel storyline we find that the people all around him are all coping with life's challenges and ultimately a defining event or episode called 'marriage'.

Human want for things tangible and not is root of what causes all the mood swings and having a computer that could ideally be devoid of angst or desires of its own or so he thinks could be an ideal partner.

But alas like all things utopian there is no such thing..at least for this screenplay with the OS deciding to also start harboring jealousy and pain and longing as part of its learning not to mention her ability to be non monogamist throws our protagonist for an infinity loop.

I guess we just need to accept our shortcomings and goings and be in it for the long haul.

Comments

  1. RajendraJune 15, 2014 at 6:48 PM

    in a marriage, both need to accept their shortcomings..there's the nub.

    ReplyDelete

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