Frank Langella is an actor whose talents are rarely noted it
seems. Some folks don't even know who you're talking about when his name is
mentioned and that's a shame. Those of us old enough to remember will think of him
as Dracula. A younger generation might consider him Nixon. The thing is he's
been around turning out great performances for years and doesn't get the
recognition that he deserves. His latest out on DVD proves that.
In ROBOT & FRANK Langella stars as Frank, an ex-jewel
thief in the near future when things are changing as they always do. A
cantankerous sort, Frank has been left by his kids to fend for himself away
from family. They still try to make his life as comfortable as possible but at
the same time have little to do with him. Case in point is the new item Frank's
son Hunter (James Marsden) has brought to him.
To make sure that he's taken care of Hunter has just
purchased a robot to be Frank's companion and caretaker. The robot has numerous
responses programmed inside of him but at the same time develops his own
somewhat personality the more time he spends with his new owner. At the same
time he has a moral compass installed that makes him unlikely to be a partner
should Frank ever decide to return to his old profession. At first
confrontational Frank eventually accepts the little guy and they become friends
of sort.
Frank spends his days doing little but he does enjoy the
walks he takes into town especially to the local library. This partly involves
his respect for the books on hand there but more to do with the local librarian
Jennifer (Susan Sarandon) he takes a liking to. That will soon change as the
young generation is dispensing the library of all its books to be replaced by
computerized editions on hand and available at work stations. These people are
interested in Frank only because he actually read a book.
Angry at the way things in his life are going and angrier
still at the elitists' attitudes of this new generation, Frank decides to steal
Jennifer's favorite book from the library to give to her. He recruits the robot
to be his wing man. This will be no easy task as he not only has to teach the
robot how to become a thief but has to convince him it's for the better as
well.
Frank uses the robot to help him co-ordinate things in his
goal of returning to a life of crime. They begin by taking on a small project
of stealing something from the snobby head of the group determined to change
the library. As Frank teaches the robot the finer skills involved in timing,
lock picking and breaking and entering we're given a humorous look as he
corrupts the robot that has no clue. At the same time we witness the human
connection between the two that Frank doesn't share with his kids.
Problems arise when Frank's daughter Madison (Liv Tyler)
arrives. Where Frank at one time wanted his daughter to be there now he wants
her out so he and the robot can get back to business. But Madison is here after
being plagued with guilt for not taking care of her father. Then again she also
returns because it is convenient. Until she is gone Frank can't move forward
with his plans.
What makes this film so interesting is the skill shown by
Langella as Frank, a man who is lost in a new world that doesn't seem to have
time for him any more. He does regret parts of his past, mostly the fact that
he wasn't there for his children when they were growing up which is being
reciprocated by their not being there for him now. It's not a matter of no
love, just anger at the past. But the true emotion seen in the film isn't
between one human and another but between Frank and the robot. A defining
moment between the two comes towards the end but I won't ruin the surprise of
it here. Watch and see.
The quality of the production values in this film are well
accomplished and all involved turn in true to character performances. The
photography is well done and the direction brings the most out of each actor as
well as the completely unemotional robot. If you're getting older (like me) then
you'll relate to many of the scenes here. This is an enjoyable film that only
gets better as it moves forward.
Click here to order.
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