Today’s quick review: A.I. Artificial Intelligence. In a future with strict population controls, Monica (Frances O’Connor) adopts David (Haley Joel Osment), a child robot capable of love, to replace her ill son. But when her real son makes a miraculous recovery, Monica abandons David rather than having him decommissioned. Alone and confused, David befriends Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), a robotic prostitute, and embarks on a journey to become a real boy.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a science fiction drama directed by Steven Spielberg. A.I. Artificial Intelligence explores themes of love, humanity, and innocence through the eyes of David, a naive robot who dreams of being a real boy. The movie aims high in its philosophical questions and drama, but its bizarre plot and mismanaged tone keep it from achieving its goal.
A.I. can be an unsettling movie. The early part of the film revolves around David’s flawed psychology and his not-quite-human behavior. His presence puts a strain on Monica’s psyche, and a series of close calls are what ultimately cause her to abandon him. Eventually the plot straightens out into more of an adventure, but it never loses its sense of the uncanny, with unreliable characters, bitter ironies, and a few disturbing moments.
A.I. also has issues with its story. The movie divides neatly into three segments, each with its own tone and focus. The segments are poor fits for one another, and they let the movie abandon plot threads that have become difficult. The pacing is slower than it needs to be. The logic of the plot itself has a few thin spots, and much of the movie depends on David’s extreme naivety.
Otherwise, A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a fine movie. The scenes are presented well, the CGI holds up, and Jude Law makes for a cocky, amusing prostitute. The movie presents some interesting ideas about the future, such as mankind’s ambivalence towards robots or the human tendency to believe in branding. But so much of the movie is tied up in David himself that the movie’s strengths cannot shine on their own.
Give A.I. Artificial Intelligence a shot only if you are a fan of artistic science fiction. The movie misses its mark, but its level of craftsmanship is high enough that the curious may get something out of it. But be warned that the movie lives and dies with David: without a strong emotional investment from the viewer, A.I. just doesn’t click. Most viewers are better off watching something more conventional.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for lofty ideas and decent presentation held back by a strange plot and an off-putting tone.