I'm Here (2010) Review
I'm Here is a short film by Spike Jonze (Her) and while it never left a lasting impression, it's a lovable and interesting short that is sure to entertain and make you smile while you watch it.
I'm Here is a film about two robots Sheldon (Andrew Garfield, Silence) and Francesca (Sienna Guillory, High-Rise) who fall in love. The plot really is as simple as that, which is both a blessing and a problem. It doesn't feel as if Spike Jonze had anything to say with this film. On the one hand it's a beautifully shot and written film about two lovers (who just so happen to also be robots) and on the other it is about two underdeveloped characters living in an undeveloped world. There's a lot to this movie, and none of it really melds well together.
Firstly, while the characters' relationship is "cute" and the time they spend together feels romantic and makes you long for such a relationship, as people, they never really develop. Sheldon is a nice guy and Francesca is clumsy. I appreciate it's only thirty minutes long, but I never felt particularly connected to the characters or their relationship with each other. There are sweet moments in the film which made me smile, which is testament to the good writing of the film, and they are likable characters, they just don't go past the point of he's nice and she's clumsy.
Secondly, the world that Spike Jonze has created is never really developed either. It's a world where robots and humans coincide (it's never explained why) and there appears to be some sort of prejudice against the robots. One old lady shouts at Francesca saying she shouldn't be driving. But that's about it; there's no real further comment, and even when opportunities arise for this prejudice to be developed further (a scene in a gig for example), it doesn't. I understand why they are robots, it's crucial for the plot to work, but I just felt it was unfortunate that Spike Jonze didn't go into any further detail on the world he had created.
But aside from that, Jonze captures some beautiful visuals here. Not only does the world they inhabit look colourful and bright (Jonze once again capturing a more idyllic future), but the designs for the robots themselves look interesting and unique. The CG eyes and mouths of the robots look slightly off putting to begin with, but they add the necessary emotion needed.
I enjoyed watching I'm Here, I just didn't really think too much of it by the time the credits started rolling. I love Spike Jonze's work, he has so many great films on offer and I'd highly recommend any of them; but missing this short film wouldn't hurt, although neither would seeing it. It's a fine, enjoyable way to spend thirty minutes, just don't expect to muse on it afterwards.
5/10
I'm Here is a film about two robots Sheldon (Andrew Garfield, Silence) and Francesca (Sienna Guillory, High-Rise) who fall in love. The plot really is as simple as that, which is both a blessing and a problem. It doesn't feel as if Spike Jonze had anything to say with this film. On the one hand it's a beautifully shot and written film about two lovers (who just so happen to also be robots) and on the other it is about two underdeveloped characters living in an undeveloped world. There's a lot to this movie, and none of it really melds well together.
Firstly, while the characters' relationship is "cute" and the time they spend together feels romantic and makes you long for such a relationship, as people, they never really develop. Sheldon is a nice guy and Francesca is clumsy. I appreciate it's only thirty minutes long, but I never felt particularly connected to the characters or their relationship with each other. There are sweet moments in the film which made me smile, which is testament to the good writing of the film, and they are likable characters, they just don't go past the point of he's nice and she's clumsy.
Secondly, the world that Spike Jonze has created is never really developed either. It's a world where robots and humans coincide (it's never explained why) and there appears to be some sort of prejudice against the robots. One old lady shouts at Francesca saying she shouldn't be driving. But that's about it; there's no real further comment, and even when opportunities arise for this prejudice to be developed further (a scene in a gig for example), it doesn't. I understand why they are robots, it's crucial for the plot to work, but I just felt it was unfortunate that Spike Jonze didn't go into any further detail on the world he had created.
But aside from that, Jonze captures some beautiful visuals here. Not only does the world they inhabit look colourful and bright (Jonze once again capturing a more idyllic future), but the designs for the robots themselves look interesting and unique. The CG eyes and mouths of the robots look slightly off putting to begin with, but they add the necessary emotion needed.
I enjoyed watching I'm Here, I just didn't really think too much of it by the time the credits started rolling. I love Spike Jonze's work, he has so many great films on offer and I'd highly recommend any of them; but missing this short film wouldn't hurt, although neither would seeing it. It's a fine, enjoyable way to spend thirty minutes, just don't expect to muse on it afterwards.
5/10
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