Today’s quick review: Robot & Frank. Frank (Frank Langella) is a retired burglar beginning to struggle with senility. When his son Hunter (James Marsden) buys him a robot (Peter Sarsgaard) to help him in his daily life and to keep his mind sharp, Frank is opposed. But his relationship with the robot turns around when he discovers he can teach it to steal, and he finds new purpose in life planning adn executing heists around his community with his new companion.
Robot & Frank is a heartfelt science fiction comedy about the potential impact of artificial intelligence in daily life. Robot & Frank takes place in a near future where a quiet technological revolution has taken place. AI has advanced to the point where intelligent robotic companions are commonplace. The movie follows an aging man’s battle with senility and the effect of his new robot on his health and outlook.
Robot & Frank offers a blend of personal comedy, low-stakes burglary, and down-to-earth sci-fi speculation. Smart writing and solid acting make each of these elements fairly successful, from Frank’s bickering with the robot to the subtler effects on his personality and mental state. The humor is subdued and lifelike, with the occasional joke that captures something essential about AI, humans, or both.
The vision of the future in Robot & Frank is remarkably plausible. The nature and applications of AI technology are realistic, albeit several technological leaps away, and the issues raised are ones that are likely to come up at some point in reality. Beyond its speculative value, Robot & Frank is a touching movie with rich characters and a fair amount of insight into the human condition.
However, the nature of the film makes it somewhat hit-or-miss. The humor is fairly tame. The characters are prickly enough that they are not entirely sympathetic. The sci-fi elements are well-grounded but not all that exciting, more an intellectual and emotional exercise than anything. Moreover, Robot & Frank deals with the weighty themes of aging and memory loss, undercutting the comedy and making the film poor fodder for escapism.
Watch Robot & Frank if you are interested in a fairly realistic take on the future of AI. Certain viewers will find it a thoughtful and enlightening watch, particularly those who enjoy grounded, character-based stories. Those looking for much in the way of plot or overt comedy should look elsewhere. For a psychological mystery with similar AI components, check out Moon.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid execution of a plausible, if mundane, premise.