The best word to
describe this movie is sweet. Robot & Frank is a beautiful
drama that shows the inevitable attachment we humans tend to have to
technological gadgets, and it takes a charming yet sad look at the effects of
aging. Exploring human interaction with technology in depth, Robot &
Frank doesn’t have a true moral undertone—it’s simply writer Christopher
D. Ford and director Jake Schreier’s idea of what the future might look like
when technology becomes closely interwoven with our survival.
The script is
one I have to applaud as totally original, even though it is predictable. The movie drifts at a steady pace, and its twists and turns aren’t easily missed—they kind of jump
at you, making you smile. I have to add, the pacing, though steady, can feel a bit too slow at times, especially during Frank’s interactions with the robot, which occasionally drag the story. For this, I give credit to debut director Schreier
and debut screenwriter Ford. Shot in about 20 days, the movie was made on a
$2.5 million budget, and the robot suit was worn by an actor.
The plot
revolves around a cat burglar named Frank (Frank Langella), who has grown old
and retired from the game. He still dabbles in petty shoplifting now and then,
but his age and dementia (memory loss) aren’t helping at all. Because of this,
his son Hunter (James Marsden) drives to see him once a week.
Hunter is
finding it difficult to cope with the long drive to visit his father, and his
sister Madison (Liv Tyler) is always away on trips. So, he gets Frank a robot,
pre-programmed with all of Frank’s details, to help take care of him. At first,
the robot feels like an enemy to Frank’s stress-free life (though his lifestyle
was leading him to an early grave and wasn’t helping his memory loss). But
soon, the robot becomes Frank’s best friend, and Frank teaches it everything he
knows. Together, they form a close bond—until a series of thefts start
happening in the area.
The acting, especially by Frank Langella, deserves recognition and since the movie isn’t overshadowed by action or intense CGI graphics, the actors had to stand out in their roles. From the beginning, Frank’s performance draws you in and gives you confidence that this is going to be a good movie. James Marsden, who plays Frank’s protective and caring son Hunter, also does well in his supporting role, even though his character and that of his sister lacks depth.
Robot &
Frank is available on DVD, and I highly recommend taking the time to watch
this drama about how an old man befriends a robot.
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