Bicentennial Man (1999)

 Sci-fi September

#Something Borrowed (h/t Amanda Andrews on Facebook)

Bicentennial Man (1999) 131 minutes

Director: Chris Columbus

Writer: Isaac Asimov(short story "The Bicentennial Man"), Robert Silverberg(novel), Nicholas Kazan(screenplay)

Stars: Robin Williams, Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill

Streaming on: HBO

Keywords: 23rd century, android, based on short story

The plot: The "life" and times of Andrew the android, a robot purchased and programmed to perform menial household tasks. It soon becomes evident that the Martin Family has received much more than they paid for. 

Random Observations:

• Pretty sure this is the first live-action Robin Williams film I've rewatched since his passing (not counting the fantastic 2018 documentary Come Inside My Mind). 
• A long time ago I was in a books-to-movie club and we read the short story "The Bicentennial Man" prior to watching the Chris Columbus film. I remember liking the movie better after having read the short story. Maybe I had more context or a better connection to the characters, but for some reason, I connected to the film more during the second viewing. 
• I lived in the Bay Area during the filming of this movie and have a couple friends who were extras in it! I can't remember who they are right now, so if they are you, you should comment and take a bow! 
• Speaking of the Bay Area, there are so many great shots of San Francisco in this movie! There were rumors during filming that the only way Robin Williams would do this film was if it was shot in San Francisco because that's where he and his family lived and he was only willing to be apart from them a certain amount of time per year. I have no idea if it's true but it's kind of a cute story. 
• Nominated for a 2000 Academy Award for Best Makeup by Greg Cannom. He's the chap who won Best Makeup for Vice (2019), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Mrs. Doubtfire (1994), and my favorite makeup on the list: Dracula (1992). In 2005 he and Wesley Wofford received a special Technical Achievement Academy Award for the development of their special modified silicone material for makeup applications used in motion pictures. Would the makeup for Bicentennial Man differ if this modified silicone had been available in 2000? I don't know! Stop pressuring me!

Today's "Something Borrowed" comes to me via Amanda Andrews on Facebook. Thanks, Amanda! If you'd like to recommend a science fiction movie, show, or episode for me to review during the month of September (oh my God, I almost wrote "May". WHAT is TIME?), feel free to drop me a comment below or on my Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ravyn.jazperhawke/posts/10224899314736931

As soon as the credits begin, we get one of those cool assembly line montages. I think that viewers of Mister Roger's Neighborhood especially feel a sense of calm when they see an assembly line. "Picture Picture" became the dinner bell at the barbecue of serenity. 

The Martin Family -- Dr. Alan Grant from Jurassic Park and Dr. Annie Packard from 24 and their delightful two daughters: The Pepsi Girl and Georgie from General Hospital order up Andrew the android (a mostly passive Robin Williams) who is designed for menial household chores, but fam, they honestly make him babysit way too much. And it's not like he's getting paid. That's kind of a rip off for androids everywhere. 

Seriously though, I wish Hallie Eisenberg would make a return to acting. She retired in 2010 to focus on college, and then I have no idea what happened to her. If you are her, or you know her, tell her I love her. If you are Jesse Eisenberg, ask your sister to come to set with you on your next gig and then be like "Oops, we need an actress to say ONE line" and then suddenly she'll be back in the game.

Lots of delightful character actors show up throughout, including Stephen Root, Bradley Whitford, and John Michael Higgins.

1/1 Directing

.9/1 Cinematography

.5/1 Visual design

1/1 Editing

.8/1 Plot 

.6/1 Dialogue

.5/1 Acting

.4/1 Soundtrack/Score/Sound

.9/1 Originality

.8/1 Rewatchability

Total: 7.4/10 Binge Bones

Verdict: There aren't too many Robin Williams films I tell people to stay away from and this one is no exception. A Pinnochio/David Copperfield mash-up with undertones of the aberration of slavery. Sometimes the visual effects are a little outdated, and much of that may be due to watching something in HD that wasn't necessarily meant to be viewed in HD. Sometimes the foley that accompanies Andrew's motions gets a little bit grating. "Whirr... whirr.. squeak... zip". It's fine the first five minutes but sometimes it's just super out of place and can interrupt some of the more heartfelt moments.