Robot & Frank
Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon) stars in this near-future comedy-drama about a retired cat burglar who gets back into the game with the help of nursing robot - a gift from his son.
"Curmudgeonly old Frank lives by himself. His routine involves daily visits to his local library, where he has a twinkle in his eye for the librarian (Susan Sarandon). His grown children (Liv Tyler and James Marsden) are concerned about their father’s well-being and buy him a caretaker robot. Initially resistant to the idea, Frank soon appreciates the benefits of robotic support - like nutritious meals and a clean house - and eventually begins to treat his robot like a true companion. With his robot’s assistance, Frank’s passion for his old, unlawful profession is reignited, for better or worse... a story about family and the implications of humankind’s ever-changing relationship with technology." (Sundance Film Festival)
- Director:
- Jake Schreier (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Christopher D. Ford
- Cast:
- Frank LangellaPeter Sarsgaard (voice)James MarsdenLiv TylerSusan SarandonJeremy Strong
Reviews & comments
Funny and sad in equal measure
It seems like once a year or so an Alzheimer's movie comes along and knocks me for a loop. I don't know what it is; I've never had any personal, real-life experience with the condition or its unfortunate sufferers, but there's ripe material for crafting warm and moving stories which invariably end with me in tears. In the last few years I have been...
Variety
pressDebuting helmer Jake Schreier, screenwriter Christopher D. Ford and a wry and wily Frank Langella all shine in a smart, plausible and resonant film.
The New York Times
pressFrank Langella plays so many variations on cute and crotchety and with such suppleness - he's by turns a charming codger, a silver fox and a wise graybeard - that his performance comes close to a saving grace.
Roger Ebert
pressThis is a framework that could have benefitted from more irony and complexity, especially with the resources of Langella, but at the end, I felt the movie was too easily satisfied.
Hollywood Reporter
press'Robot & Frank' reminds quirk-hardened veterans that an odd premise and big heart don't have to add up to too-precious awards bait.
A.V. Club
pressSchreier elicits warm performances from Langella and Susan Sarandon, and even from his robot (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard).
Variety
pressDebuting helmer Jake Schreier, screenwriter Christopher D. Ford and a wry and wily Frank Langella all shine in a smart, plausible and resonant film.
The New York Times
pressFrank Langella plays so many variations on cute and crotchety and with such suppleness - he's by turns a charming codger, a silver fox and a wise graybeard - that his performance comes close to a saving grace.
Roger Ebert
pressThis is a framework that could have benefitted from more irony and complexity, especially with the resources of Langella, but at the end, I felt the movie was too easily satisfied.
Hollywood Reporter
press'Robot & Frank' reminds quirk-hardened veterans that an odd premise and big heart don't have to add up to too-precious awards bait.
A.V. Club
pressSchreier elicits warm performances from Langella and Susan Sarandon, and even from his robot (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard).
Funny and sad in equal measure
It seems like once a year or so an Alzheimer's movie comes along and knocks me for a loop. I don't know what it is; I've never had any personal, real-life experience with the condition or its unfortunate sufferers, but there's ripe material for crafting warm and moving stories which invariably end with me in tears. In the last few years I have been...
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