Review of Robot & Frank (2012) by Spencer S — 03 Dec 2013

"Robot and Frank" is a very sweet tempered sci-fi, independent film that somehow remains affectionate and veers from morality, even though it's in a very particular genre of film. The film says very little about the state of the world, or even the future it's set in, and instead focuses on story.

The film centers on retired cat burglar Frank (Langella) who has stopped lifting jewels from homes after several stints in jail. He has two children, one a father with small children, the other a globetrotting naturalist.

He doesn't see them often, the same as he did during their childhood, and he is slowly lapsing into dementia. His son buys him a domesticated robot to take care of him and the two bond, eventually starting to plot heists on a rich man who is reimagining the nearby library to be paperless.

The film rarely challenges the audience with the effects of technology, except when it comes to the library, because it's transformation spurs him to start back up stealing. The film also touches upon the subject of respecting a past generation and the wisdom they possess, which is easily thrown away, either by getting rid of books, or by showing the fragility of the human mind in old age.

Frank and his robotic companion find friendship because the former is reaching his mental decline and needs help recovering what little he has left. There doesn't seem to be any subtext on robots in our future, and no message that they should be accepted for their technological benefits.

Though there may not be any moral stance taken, this film is actively pacing itself the entire way through. It lets a moment land, takes its time in building its momentum scene by scene. Langella gives a very strong performance, even though we learn very little about the character, except that he has certain regrets about the way he lived his life.

For what it is, and what it tries to be, it succeeds at being sweet and essentially, interesting.