Marina Antunes [Celluloid 06.25.12] scifi comedy drama



I love movies about the future. It's always cool to imagine what things might look like in 10, 25 and even 100 years. Sometimes those futures are so far ahead that some of the technology seems completely foreign and others are not set in a reality that can be believed. Robot & Frank doesn't only take place in a near future that is very familiar but one where the technology, at least the bits we see in the trailer, seem not only possible but like something that's just around the corner. Everything except for the librarian android. Or maybe he's not an android. He totally talks like one; the truth of this mystery will be solved soon enough.

Alas, I'm getting ahead of myself. Meet Frank, played by Frank Langella. He's retired, living alone and he appears to be bored. His son is worried that he spends so much time by himself so he buys Frank a robot to keep him company, pick-up after him and basically play live-in-help. Then Frank, a former jewel thief, gets the bright idea that with the help of his new robot, he may be able to pull of a heist.


It looks sweet and amusing (funny isn't really the word since it didn't make me laugh - though I did smile in places). I love this cast that aside from Langella also includes Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, and Liv Tyler with Peter Sarsgaard lending his voice to Robot and quite frankly, I love movies set in a future that looks like something that could well be possible.

Robot & Frank, which charmed audiences at Sundance, opens August 24th.

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Charles Widmore (10 months ago) Reply

I feel like I just watched the whole movie.

Haribo (10 months ago) Reply

It would be more fun with a black robot.

henk (10 months ago) Reply

the robot looks outdated ;-)

JeffC (10 months ago) Reply

I agree henk, the robot looks cheap and cheasy. @Haribo LOL! Yea, named Medea! LOL!