Robot & Frank
3/4
Starring: Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Susan Sarandon, Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Sisto and the voice of Peter Sarsgaard
Rated PG-13 for Some Language
While "Robot & Frank" is accessible to anyone over the age of 10, I have a sneaking suspicion that older adults will enjoy it more. The Millennial generation gets skewered in this otherwise light comedy-drama that's heartfelt and occasionally very funny.
Frank (Langella) is a retired cat burglar who is losing his memory. He forgets who his children are until they remind him and occasionally leaves milk in the fridge until it spoils. His worrywart son Hunter (Marsden) is worried about him, and gets him a robot (Sarsgaard) to help around the house. Frank doesn't like the idea ("That thing will murder me in my sleep," he says). But once he realizes that he can manipulate the robot to steal jewels from the town's biggest douchebag (Strong), they bond.
Frank Langella ably handles the role of Frank, which is slightly more complex than it would seem. Frank's memory may be failing, but his intelligence has not. He quickly figures out how to logically get the robot to help him do some blatantly illegal activities. Langella doesn't overdo it either. The former sex symbol (he played Dracula in the 70's) is an actor capable of powerful and versatile performances, like in "Frost/Nixon." And while playing a character with a mental affliction often attracts Oscar attention, this movie is lighter than air, and Langella understands this.
His co-star, Peter Sarsgaard, is also in top form. Sarsgaard gives the robot a personality while still making it seem not human. It's a difficult balance, and Sarsgaard pulls it off (I was reminded of Kevin Spacey's performance in "Moon," where he did something similar). It helps that the role is strongly written; the robot is logical and caring, but easily manipulated.
The supporting cast is, with the exception of Liv Tyler (who is unnecessarily shrill), solid. James Marsden continues to grow as an actor. He's caring but a little too neurotic even under the circumstances. Susan Sarandon is lovely as the friendly librarian Jennifer. Jeremy Strong, whose one scene appearance in "The Messenger" proved that he was an actor to watch, is uneven. When he's playing the insufferably obnoxious yuppie, he's so annoying that you want to strangle him (I mean that as a compliment, by the way), but when he's an angry accuser, he isn't intense enough. Jeremy Sisto rounds out the cast as the local cop.
"Robot & Frank" is smartly written and directed. The script is well-thought out but not so much that it becomes too dense and dark. This is a script of ideas, not depth (although it has that to an extent that a movie as light as this can have depth). The direction is also strong. It has a good sense of place; it takes place in the near future, but it's not "Star Wars" or "Minority Report;" the world could, and likely will, look something like this in the near future.
The one criticism I have with the film is the ending. It's not what happens, but how the director handles is. It doesn't seem as complete as it should be, and if we're to take it at face value, there's a pretty big loophole.
Still, this is a fun little movie that could brighten up anyone's day.
Starring: Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Susan Sarandon, Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Sisto and the voice of Peter Sarsgaard
Rated PG-13 for Some Language
While "Robot & Frank" is accessible to anyone over the age of 10, I have a sneaking suspicion that older adults will enjoy it more. The Millennial generation gets skewered in this otherwise light comedy-drama that's heartfelt and occasionally very funny.
Frank (Langella) is a retired cat burglar who is losing his memory. He forgets who his children are until they remind him and occasionally leaves milk in the fridge until it spoils. His worrywart son Hunter (Marsden) is worried about him, and gets him a robot (Sarsgaard) to help around the house. Frank doesn't like the idea ("That thing will murder me in my sleep," he says). But once he realizes that he can manipulate the robot to steal jewels from the town's biggest douchebag (Strong), they bond.
Frank Langella ably handles the role of Frank, which is slightly more complex than it would seem. Frank's memory may be failing, but his intelligence has not. He quickly figures out how to logically get the robot to help him do some blatantly illegal activities. Langella doesn't overdo it either. The former sex symbol (he played Dracula in the 70's) is an actor capable of powerful and versatile performances, like in "Frost/Nixon." And while playing a character with a mental affliction often attracts Oscar attention, this movie is lighter than air, and Langella understands this.
His co-star, Peter Sarsgaard, is also in top form. Sarsgaard gives the robot a personality while still making it seem not human. It's a difficult balance, and Sarsgaard pulls it off (I was reminded of Kevin Spacey's performance in "Moon," where he did something similar). It helps that the role is strongly written; the robot is logical and caring, but easily manipulated.
The supporting cast is, with the exception of Liv Tyler (who is unnecessarily shrill), solid. James Marsden continues to grow as an actor. He's caring but a little too neurotic even under the circumstances. Susan Sarandon is lovely as the friendly librarian Jennifer. Jeremy Strong, whose one scene appearance in "The Messenger" proved that he was an actor to watch, is uneven. When he's playing the insufferably obnoxious yuppie, he's so annoying that you want to strangle him (I mean that as a compliment, by the way), but when he's an angry accuser, he isn't intense enough. Jeremy Sisto rounds out the cast as the local cop.
"Robot & Frank" is smartly written and directed. The script is well-thought out but not so much that it becomes too dense and dark. This is a script of ideas, not depth (although it has that to an extent that a movie as light as this can have depth). The direction is also strong. It has a good sense of place; it takes place in the near future, but it's not "Star Wars" or "Minority Report;" the world could, and likely will, look something like this in the near future.
The one criticism I have with the film is the ending. It's not what happens, but how the director handles is. It doesn't seem as complete as it should be, and if we're to take it at face value, there's a pretty big loophole.
Still, this is a fun little movie that could brighten up anyone's day.
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