Review: Robot and Frank

Robot & Frank: A Hidden Near-Future Sci-Fi Gem

Introduction

When most of us think of science fiction movies, we tend to think of incredible machines, aliens, space ships, superheroes, technology out of control, futuristic worlds or alien planets, or huge biological monsters. Indeed, these things have been the hallmark of the science fiction movies that have come out of Hollywood for decades. But every once in a while, a sci-fi movie comes along that returns us to the simplicity of one novel idea, a simple “what if” scenario that keeps its foundation largely on what we already know and have. What results is usually a story that is very well written, dramatic, and thought provoking, yet that may not have that “wow” factor that we get when we see a huge alien saucer park itself over the White House or the Avengers take on an invading alien army. Instead, we get something that hits closer to home.

Robot & Frank is just such a movie. Released in 2012 with little fanfare, the movie largely slipped under the radar, but it has found its way to Netflix.

Summary

In the film, Frank, played by the always excellent Frank Langella, is an old retired ex-jewel thief living alone in his quaint Long Island town who is slowly succumbing to his Alzheimer’s-induced forgetfulness. He finds himself forgetful of his basic needs and often gets repeatedly confused by the new every-day devices and technology that surround him. His fear is epitomized by the fact that his local community wants to shut down the book-based library in order to modernize it electronically — which would have the added effect of putting the nice lady who runs the place, Jennifer, played by Susan Sarandon, out of a job.

Stuck in a state of despair, his world is changed when his son Hunter arrives with a gift: a state-of-the-art robot programmed to be his home health care aide and butler. Programmed to look out for his every need, Frank at first finds the technological automaton intrusive and threatening, though he soon finds a way to bond with the nonjudgmental machine: He decides to rob the library of its most prized rare book in order to save it from the yuppie Jake, who thinks he’s doing the world a favor by heading the effort to tear down the library. Robot becomes an instrumental accomplice in Frank’s cat burglary, assisting him in hiding the loot and planning another robbery of Jake’s house.

The crimes reinvigorate Frank, and he finds that he has a new close and trustworthy friend in Robot. The rapport between them becomes as natural as any buddy movie, strengthened by the superb acting of Langella, the monotone yet oddly passionate robotic voice work of Peter Sarsgaard. Through this bond between man and machine, Frank rediscovers his own identity and gives himself a sense of purpose in his golden years.

The Craft

Robot and Frank is a movie that doesn’t require a ton of bells and whistles. The characters and the script are rather straightforward, with the only real effects required being that of the Robot. Robot, however, is relatively simple in presentation, as one would expect from a machine designed as a home healthcare aide.

The script is engaging and paced well, with its characters coming across as authentic and relatable. The only complaint here is that the plot tries so hard to hold on to something surprising for the third act that it feels incredibly forced and manipulative when it drops.

The acting is top notch, as this is a film largely dependent on the excellent acting chops of Frank Langella. Susan Sarandon is cast well in a role that suits her, and Peter Skarsgaard’s droning voice nicely fits Robot’s demeanor.

Honestly, there’s not much to criticize here, as the scale of the movie is very small-scale and personal. That means—like many character-driven dramas—that its quality comes from the script, the acting, and the editing. All of these elements are fine to very good.

Dave’s Thoughts

While essentially a personal drama involving themes of purpose in one’s old age, family, and respect for the past, there are also strong thematic elements that appeal to a more typical science fiction fandom. The relationship between the elderly, many of whom spent the majority of their lives in the age before computers even existed, and technology is a theme that often gets ignored in sci-fi film, but it is front and center in this one. This is a film that takes place in the future, but maybe only as little as three or four years from now. Langella’s portrayal of an old man who feels threatened by this confounded new technology is absolutely brilliant, as is the way the script has him come to grips with the new age.

The film also explores more traditional themes of machinery usurping the role of human connectivity in society and technology running rampant with regards to the law and a civilized society. But what truly sets this movie apart is that it explores all of these themes effectively without losing sight of its heart. From start to finish, the movie is still about the relationship between a senile Frank and his new best friend: a programmable Robot. Together, Robot and Frank make this movie something unique, and something worth checking out.

You’ll like this movie if…

…you like character- and idea-driven sci-fi that doesn’t rely on a VFX budget to deliver.

…you like good acting performances by familiar veteran leads.

…you like your stories endearing and sympathetic.

You’ll dislike this movie if…

…you like your sci-fi more “Hollywood”—big, bright, and loud.

…you like things more fast-paced and dynamic.

…you like more characters with more going on.