Starring: Frank Langella, Peter Sarsgaard (voice), Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Liv Tyler
Director: Colin Trevorrow
In the near future, an ageing and forgetful retired thief is bought a robot by his son to help him around the house. Frank doesn't like the robot until he realises that he can be trained to become the perfect accomplice.
This is a small 'indie' film about a man struggling with a battle with dementia. Frank has moments of brilliance throughout the film, particularly when he starts to plan jobs and cover his tracks as the police move in on him but as the film goes on it becomes more apparent just how bad his memory has gotten. I'm not sure that I overly bought the little twist towards the end but that's a minor quibble.
The film is set in the near future and has a robot a starring role but this isn't a Sci Fi film. It is a story of an unlikely friendship. Frank hates the robot initially until he realises that it can be manipulated to help him to pull off a couple of final heists but the friendship definitely grows from there.When he tells his daughter that the robot is his friend he is partially manipulating her to get her to do what he wants but I think it is definitely true and the fact that he risks discovery by going to extreme lengths to avoid wiping the robot's memory bears this out. Of course there's definitely a parallel there with Frank's own fight to avoid losing his own memory.
I recognise Frank Langella from a few guest roles on TV shows and background film roles but am not massively familiar with him but he was very good here. I thought the supporting cast were strong too and this is the first time I've seen Liv Tyler in anything in a long time. I can see why it wasn't a box office smash but it's a lovely little film for an evening at home.
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