The premise of “Robot & Frank” is one of the most intriguing of any movie released in 2012. The story is set in the near future, which looks a lot like the present, except for the really tiny cars, clear cell phones, large video screens for making phone calls and robots who are advanced enough to assist humans.
Frank Langella plays Frank, a former burglar, living alone in a small town in Upstate New York. Frank is starting to have problems remembering things and taking care of himself. So his adult son gives Frank a robot (who comes without a name) to help him around the house. At first Frank hates his new helper (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard). But soon Frank realizes the robot can be useful with a new project he’s working on, and so he accepts the robot and the two quickly get involved in each other’s lives. We’re supposed to be moved by how the old man and the machine interact and try to help each other. I was not.
I really wanted to like “Robot & Frank”. I really did. Langella’s always great and there’s a nice supporting cast, led by Susan Sarandon, James Marsdan and Liv Tyler. And what’s not to like about a sci-fi buddy picture about a guy and a robot! But ultimatley the movie is a major disappointment. The script is very inconsistent and clumsy: The quick change in Frank going from hating the robot to LOVING him is unrealistic. The two children characters are very simplistic (and annoying). For a movie set in the future the robot’s voice is very typical (and annoying). And it’s tough to take the friendship between Frank and the robot seriously, which makes it impossible to have any emotional reaction as the story plays out.
There’s one great scene and it doesn’t even involve the robot. Sarandon gives the best performance in the film. Langella’s early scenes are a bit shaky. Yes, it’s
tough playing a man with early signs of Alzheimer’s, but there are times when Frank’s supposed to be sharp but Langella’s delivery is not – and you’re not sure if he’s in character or just having a hard time with the role. Both Marsden and Tyler are way over the top. And the goofy, new-age librarian seems like he should be in another film.
Director Jake Schreier and screenwriter Christopher D. Ford tried to say something important about old age, dealing with change, modern technology and personal relationships but they just couldn’t pull it off. What they’ve made, instead, is a movie that fails much more than it succeeds leaving me more frustrated than uplifted.
“Robot & Frank” is rated PG-13 for some adult language. It’s appropriate for ages 12 and up but there’s little here that will interest most kids.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Robot & Frank” gets a C-.