Review of 'Robot & Frank'

Frank (Frank Langella) is a retired cat burglar whose son, Hunter (James Marsden), insists needs a helper so gives him a robot. Frank initially dismisses the robot but soon finds another use for him in reviving the thrill of his former life as a thief and an unlikely friendship blossoms. The casting is brilliant with a number of cameos including Liv Taylor as Frank's over-protective, out-so-save-the-world, always-absent daughter Madison. Susan Sarandon makes an appearance as “Jennifer”, the much-hassled librarian who is making light of the dreadful (therefore more than slightly ironic) future of the library that is being thrust upon her. Of course the robot itself is portrayed to be quite human in temperament but in such a way that we never question whether a robot which act in such a way further strengthening the overall general feeling of lightness to the film.

A quiet and pleasant film with more than a slight whiff of melancholy about it. The ending in particular struck me in this way (though I will go into no more detail to spoil it for you) – A slight departure for a Hollywood movie. This was never going to be blockbuster material.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2015-06-06

Directed by: Schreier Jake

Studio: Dog Run Pictures

Year: 2012

Length: 89 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1990314/