The future looks pretty strong for curmudgeons and introverts. Luckily, Frank (Frank Langella) is a bit of both. It’s actually a bit difficult to tell if Frank is an introvert or if he’s just so abrasive he has no friends. His wife left him 30 years ago and his kids, Hunter (James Marsden) and Madison (Liv Tyler) don’t really want to be around him. Personally, I chalk that up to having Frank Langella for a father; if he were my dad, I wouldn’t wish to speak to him, either.
This is the near future; it says so in the opening titles, and Hunter gets a great idea of replacing his visits with a robot pal. Frank is initially resistant, which is exacerbated as the robot has been programmed to nag. Peter Sarsgaard voices the machine, I’m guessing, because his voice will most remind one of Hal 9000. Robot is kind of a dick about Frank’s regimen, insisting on a better diet and some constructive hobbies.
When Frank refuses to follow along and gives a “what do I care if I die?” attitude, we see Robot can also lay it on kind a thick: “Where will I go, Frank? What happens to me?” Man, the robot can sure lay a guilt trip, can’t he?
Turns out Frank does have one pre-existing ho
bby; he’s a thief. So Frank teaches his mechanical companion how to pick a lock so they can go on heists together. Hey, no fingerprints, right? Woohoo, automated larceny! This is for anybody who ever said, “someday, this will be done by computer.” It turns out that while the robot has a really good sense of Jewish guilt, it wasn’t built with a moral compass. I’d try to make sure the three laws of robotics are installed on this device, huh?
And, sure enough, two very interesting developments arise – Robot & Frank start getting along and Frank gets more interested in life, thus stemming his Alzheimer’s issues. This is great because what’s more embarrassing than pulling a heist and forgetting in the middle why you’re there.
This also leads to priceless moments like Frank hitting on the librarian (Susan Sarandon) only to find Robot cramping his style, hence, he solves the problem by having his machine meet the new automated librarian, “Why don’t you mingle?”
“I’m functioning normally.”
“As am I.”
Geez, you two. Get a room.
Robot & Frank is not a big film, not an important film, and not a memorable film, but if you’ve ever said to yourself, “why don’t they make Frank Langella vehicles?” well, have I got a film for you.
♪People let me tell you bout my best pal
He’s four foot, sure handed and made out metal
People let me tell you bout my best friend
Together we can pull a job; he won’t rat to the end♫
Rated PG-13, 89 Minutes
D: Jake Schreier
W: Christopher D. Ford
Genre: Our enabling future
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Catburglars
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: Snobs
♪ Parody inspired by “Best Friend”
