Bicentennial Man is based on works of Isaac Asimov. It tells the story set a little way in the future of a brand new android purchased by "Sir", (Sam Neill), for his family. But this android has a glitch, and it's not one that "Sir" minds at all. The android, mistakenly called Andrew by Little Miss, the younger daughter in the family, starts to show distinct signs of humanness – he doesn't just respond robotically, he shows sensitivity and creativity. As the years pass Andrew finds he wants updates – he wants a face that shows emotion, he wants ultimately to be free. And as he grows he forms a close attachment to both "Sir" and Little Miss. The story lasts for 200 years with Andrew becoming more and more human except that everyone around him dies and he just goes on forever.
There are wonderfully funny moments when Sir teaches him about the facts of life and about laughter... the first hour and half is really excellent. But then an upgrade turns Andrew into Robin Williams and the film really slows down. It is just too long unfortunately.
Directed by Chris Columbus of Mrs. Doubtfire fame, Bicentennial Man has the good fortune to be based on the work of a terrific humanist writer and much of it is very rewarding.
David's comments: Better than expected, because the Isaac Azimov story is a good one, intelligently adapted by Nicholas Kazan, and there are beautiful performances, especially Sam Neill and Oliver Platt. I preferred Robin Williams as an intelligent robot in the first half than the flesh and blood Robin Williams, a romantic lover, in the second half. But the film is quite touching, even though it milks audience sympathy with an unusually large number of deathbed scenes.
David's comments: Better than expected, because the Isaac Azimov story is a good one, intelligently adapted by Nicholas Kazan, and there are beautiful performances, especially Sam Neill and Oliver Platt. I preferred Robin Williams as an intelligent robot in the first half than the flesh and blood Robin Williams, a romantic lover, in the second half. But the film is quite touching, even though it milks audience sympathy with an unusually large number of deathbed scenes.
See it 6.05 pm Sunday 28 May 2023 on SBS World Movies. Bicentennial Man is also streaming at SBS On Demand:
Share
