Robot & Frank (12A)

Film

Indie

Robot and Frank

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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Time Out says

Tue Mar 5

The Frank of ‘Robot & Frank’ is a slightly dotty retired jewel thief, rusting away in a remote New England community, a few years in the future. He’s played with old-school charm by Frank Langella, who’s deserved this kind of lead role for a while now. The robot is an Asimo clone bought by Frank’s son (James Marsden) to act as his father’s home help and health care worker. But it’s not long before Frank is taking advantage of the robot’s moral absence to carry out a series of daring cat burglaries in the neighbourhood.

‘Robot & Frank’ is sweetness itself: the buddy-buddy relationship between Langella and the straightest straight man in history is nicely written, while the new-lease-of-life angle is played with a pleasing absence of sentiment. But the film feels slight – it doesn’t quite crack 90 minutes – and never gains much momentum, trundling towards a morose but largely unmoving climax. There are some odd plot choices, too: a budding romance between Frank and local librarian Jennifer (Susan Sarandon) adds heart, until a bizarre final-act twist undermines all that’s gone before. Ultimately, it feels as though the filmmakers have settled for the soft option one too many times, and the result is a pleasant but unmemorable watch.

Author: Tom Huddleston

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Release details

Rated:

12A

UK release:

Fri Mar 8

Duration:

89 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Jake Schreier

Cast:

Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden

Cinemas showing Robot & Frank

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 4/5 (2 ratings)

  • Yeah I disagree with this review too, this is a great indie film with bags of charm and the twist does not undermine the whole film at all! If you have no soul, then maybe you will not be moved by this film and find it forgettable, if you do have a soul, then this film will truly move and inspire you. I just wish hollywood would stop churning out such rubbish and fund more indie films like this with actors and directors with real talent!

    bullsnatcher Thu Mar 14
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  • Subtle, clever and very sweet/bittersweet character story about aging, companionship and how memory defines us and our relationships. It does not make a lot of noise but it certainly rings true.

    lauri Wed Mar 13
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Saw this in 2012 while visiting the USA. Totally disagree with the review - 'Robot and Frank' is a gem of a film that I'd thoroughly recommend anyone to go and see. It's clever, witty, charming and ultimately very poignant. Also, the final plot twist is definitely NOT bizarre - I think you missed the whole point of the film - getting old, losing one's independence AND memory with age etc, love, loyalty. All this was subtly and beautifully explored in the narrative, both spoken and unspoken and the ending was perfect because it was real!

    David Wright Sun Feb 24
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  • I agree with the reviewer that this is a sweet film that lacks any real bite but I think that it has enough charm to make you overlook the softness and I ended up going along with it. A good comparison film is Dean Spanley which came out a few years ago, and although not as good as that the tone and performance levels of the main older characters are similar. Utlimatley like with Dean Spanley I felt that this was a lovely film and would hapily recommend to most people.

    Iain Tue Feb 5
    Rated as: 4/5
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