Robot & Frank (2012)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  6 / 10

  Robot & Frank is somewhat original but doesn't fully explore its quirky ideas. 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.

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