Saturday Movies: Robot and Frank (2012)

Jake Schreier attempts a nice little movie with some heart in his first full length film. It also deals with themes that just aren't too pleasant to think about whether you're older or younger. Either you know that one day you will be in the position of planning how to take care of a parent, or you're the parent that everyone is trying to plan for when you may need help taking care of yourself. Schreier also mixes in a bit of humor. and other tiny bits of action to not only focus on family but gives us some character development for the lead, Frank.

Summary: Somewhere in the near future, there if Frank, and he is an ex-thief who receives a gift from his son, Hunter. His kids Hunter and Madison are worried about their father, but since their lives call for them to be elsewhere most the time they believe that getting a robot that can be a helper will be the best thing to do for him. After getting him the robot though Frank feels inspired to take up some new activities including returning to robbery and trying to save a library that he frequents for a woman, Jennifer.


Acting: The acting from most the characters is quite good. Frank Langella is quite a great lead as Frank, and I think he really embodies the character to make him someone we feel for despite his questionable want to rob. James Marsden is Hunter, and he is the stronger character of the two siblings. The other sibling, Madion, portrayed by Liv Tyler, has moments that provide some humor, but for some reason Tyler just seems blank in many of the roles she does. She seems out of it. Susan Sarandon is Jennifer, and I think this is one of the stronger roles she has had in a while.

Filming: The movie doesn't have a huge budget, but the director focuses on keeping everything simple, but not too cheap looking. Like even the robot looks well put together without appearing too plastic. The movie also has this overcast color that gives it a nice atmosphere to thrive in, and somehow keep you compelled despite the movie staying at a pretty slow pace.

Plot: The plot is one that you eventually expect will take off, and it does in some sorts. Frank does get himself in quite a mess, but I think they balance the impending dementia that seems to be happening, and him still longing to be young again very well. It's blended so well that it covers you from finding out some of the bigger surprises in the movie. It takes a lot to really surprise me, and I feel like I should have seen the surprises coming in this movie. This movie also doesn't take the route of trying to make everything neat and happy by the end either. Frank is getting older, and nothing will reverse that, not even a robot. There has to be a lot of acceptance to make the decisions that the characters do.

Robot and Frank is short and sweet. It captures something about the older community that is charming as well. There isn't enough story to make this movie any longer, and thankfully someone caught that. It's a strong first movie for a director because it doesn't try to do much, but it does just enough to make it appealing for a viewer.

Rating 7 of 10.