I recently had the time to see two new DVDs. “Arbitrage” starring Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon was a predictable plot about the rich and the powerful. Gere is not a good guy this time around. He is a true wheeler dealer who seems to be able to manipulate his public and private life to his advantage. The ending is open ended. Will he once again escape any repercussions due to his actions or will justice prevail?
“Robot and Frank” is a blend of comedy, a glimpse into future technology, and the sadness of growing old. Frank Langella is perfectly cast as Frank, an older man who is losing touch with reality. In his younger years, Frank was a “second-story guy.” As a result, he served two prison terms.
His son, who lives a distance from his father, is concerned with his father’s growing dementia. He brings Frank a present. A robot who will take care of all his dad’s needs. The writer/director infuse the movie with future technology–robots, interactive phones, libraries without books–but do not alter housing, dress, transportation, etc. At first Frank wants nothing to do with the robot, but he eventually finds that it can be very helpful in many ways.
Frank is a library user. In the early scenes we see him visiting his local library looking for actual books to read. The librarian, Susan Sarandon, tries to be helpful even though in a short time the entire library will be become a digital facility. Even the human librarian will be replaced by a computer named Mr. Darcy.
“Robot and Frank” is a well-acted movie with a very interesting, unusual story.