Today’s quick review: Eva. Ten years after abandoning his research and his girlfriend, roboticist Alex Garel (Daniel Bruhl) returns to his hometown to continue his work on creating a childlike robot. While looking for a child to model his robot after, he meets Eva (Claudia Vega), a curious young girl. But the girl’s mother turns out to be Lana Levi (Marta Etura), the woman Alex left behind.
Eva is a science fiction drama set in a future where robotics technology has made massive strides. Eva shows off the personal side of science fiction. Artificial intelligence plays an important role in the plot, but the movie focuses on Alex and his relationships. Eva becomes a surrogate daughter to Alex as he tries to see the world through her eyes. At the same time, he struggles to untangle his feelings for Lana.
Eva has a few awkward moments, particularly early on. Alex first meets Eva by lurking outside her elementary school, and their relationship has an uncomfortable tinge from then on. Eva is a precocious child, and her ability to catch Alex off-guard gives their interactions a strange imbalance. Eventually the two develop a more normal father-daughter relationship, but its rocky start might put off some viewers.
Beyond these rough spots, Eva makes for a competent drama. None of the characters are outstanding, but they do hit the right emotional notes. The plot meanders early on but eventually tightens up for a tidy, well-considered ending. The movie also indulges in a bit of wistful romance between Alex and Lana. Eva lacks the extra insight needed to make it a truly memorable drama, but it does have a few meaningful moments.
As far as science fiction goes, Eva offers up a few little treats. The movie has little in the way of technical analysis, but it puts up a convincing veneer of pseudoscience. The robots run the gamut from basic walking machines to lifelike replicas of animals and humans. The movie drops its science fiction elements for long stretches to focus on personal drama, but they do always find their way back to the fore.
Check out Eva if you are a science fiction fan in the mood for a subdued, personal take on the genre. Those looking for hard sci-fi or action should look elsewhere. For another grounded look at the future of robotics, but with a touch of comedy, check out Robot & Frank.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for good drama and well-used science fiction elements.