Robot & Frank (2012)

'Robot & Frank (2012)' is a quiet and quite charming piece that places more emphasis on its central character's relationship with an insentient yet seemingly alive mechanical assistant than anything else, with this core dynamic working remarkably well considering its one sided nature as it allows for both the protagonist and audience to project themselves onto the eponymous automaton and for it to become a lens through which all other relationships can manifest themselves in strangely honest ways. The film is never fantastic, especially from its basically basic technical stand-point (though the practical effects used on the titular 'Robot' are tangible, convincing and refreshing), but it always retains its wholesome aesthetic and entertaining outlook, allowing it to be an enjoyable picture that is a little forgettable but also a little touching too. 7/10

Ingenious? Meh. Hilarious? Not really. Moving? Definitely not. Not sure what I...wait, there's more descriptions for this on the back cover? Brilliant, touching and captivating? Funny, thoughtful and smart? Where was I...oh yeah, not sure what I watched but it certainly wasn't any of the above. A retired cat burglar who suffers from memory lapses has two grown children who are concerned that he cannot live by himself. So they purchase a robot programmed to improve his health, however he uses it to get back into completing heists. Ok look, it's a nice film, perfectly watchable and hosts a fantastic central performance from Frank Langella. I was onboard with the subtle futuristic tropes in a modern world that is based on our current reality. Humanoid robots, modern phones and televisions and even the architectural designs of certain buildings. The attention to digitalisation assisting humanity through processes of deterioration was rather refreshing. Our main character resents change but slowly starts to embrace it, ironically this is the same with any new piece of technology. Schreier's directing style was clean and enhanced the contemporary indie feel that the film was aiming for. All the ingredients for a quirky memorable indie drama are there, so why was I immediately disengaged with the story? I mean I really didn't care for the plot at all. It's far too glossy and overly quirky to a point where the characters themselves existed just because the plot required them. Susan Sarandon's character is in the film simply as a means for a twist at the end, which was implausible anyway. Liv Tyler still cannot act. The subtle humour was so subtle, that I didn't actually laugh or smile once. I'm just not sure where I sit with this one. The concept and ideas were great, technical execution was sublime and the production design was suitably modern. The story and script were rather lacklustre and for that, I didn't care for it. Shame really.

Robot and Frank is a good film. It is about medical ethics and the use of robots. On the one hand it seems like Frank has a form of dementia, which contributes to the plot. The robot is Frank's care-giver but also a pal who helps him steal, create new projects and get a piece of his memory back. Stealing here is Frank's past-time. Frank considers it a kind of skill and a kind of hobby which excites Frank. Having a partner in crime (the robot) makes Frank a little bit more hopeful in life.I believe the main question in this movie is about how ethical is robotics? Can a human befriend a robot? Can a robot do what humans cannot do? Can the robot be programmed to help a sick human?

I have to say that the film's premise of an 'old guy and a robot' didn't really grab me. I preferred the all-out action of 'I Robot.' However, now I've watched it, I found I actually liked it.In the near future, our aging hero 'Frank' is given a robot to look after him by his family. Frank is naturally grumpy and the two don't really get along. If it was left as that, it probably would have been pretty dull. But, what brings the story to life is the fact that Frank is a habitual thief, so, with his newfound 'toy,' he decides to train it to help him pull of some jobs.There is some very dry humour in all this, plus you actually will care about the characters, even the robot, who comes across as 'more alive' than most daytime TV stars.It's certainly not an 'all-out action' epic. It's far more subtle, rolling along at a deliberately slow pace. So, you probably have to be in the mood for something a little more gentle to fully appreciate this.I now want my own robot. All I have is a 'Speak and Spell' from the eighties that doesn't work any more.http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/