ROBOT AND FRANK

US, 2012, 89 minutes, Colour.
Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Susan Sarandon, Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Sisto.
Voice of: Peter Sarsgaard.
Directed by Jake Schreier.

This is a small whimsical film that will appeal to those facing ageing and will offer a little challenge to the next generation who will be responsible for their parents’ care.

Frank lives alone. His memory is going – and, in fact, with his burglar background, he tries to steal from his own house. He is played by Frank Langella in a pleasantly low-key way. Frank is Skyped by his world-travelling daughter (Liv Tyler). His son (James Marsden) visits him every week. Frank is more than a little obstreperous, in denial about his forgetting details. One week his son brings Frank a robot (the setting is ‘the near future’) who is programmed to care for Frank, keep an eye on his diet, his rest, all the details of his daily life. Frank is not happy, but, bit by it, he warms to Robot and finds himself having friendly chats with him.

He is fond of Jennifer, the local librarian (Susan Sarandon) who is being edged out of her job, also by robots. Frank’s urgings to be on the job again are fostered by his stealing a book from the library. He then has eyes for the jewelry owned by yuppy neighbours. Robot is not in favour but thinks the planning (rather than the execution) might be good for Frank’s health.

A number of comic hijinks ensue, with the local sheriff suspicious of Frank, keeping him under surveillance. The situation exercises Frank’s ingenuity. And Robot’s.

Then the film veers towards care for the aged, especially those with memory loss. There is a nice feel about these episodes, especially with Frank having a meal with his family. But, the film ends with a wry comment about where the jewels are hidden.

It has a short running time. I wouldn’t have minded some more.

1. A whimsical film? Its observations on human nature, ageing, technology?

2. The title, expectations, robots and their assuming human work and characteristics, the developments of technology, robots for the elderly, serving them, companionship? How they are programmed? Guiding, guarding, friend?

3. Upstate New York, the town, homes, library, mansions, shops? Ordinary and pleasant? The musical score?

4. Themes of age, memory loss and the consequences, aged care, people being concerned, the responsibilities of family and the next generation?

5. Frank, his losing his sense of identity, robbing his own house, his age, appearance, the comfort of his home, his depressed moods, the divorce of thirty years, his children, Hunter visiting him and his treatment of Hunter, not appreciating him, talking about his university days at Princeton, Hunter and his exasperation, bringing the robot, his hopes? Madison and her phoning from Asia, her travelling the world? Her return, wanting to care for her father, anti the robot? Her work in the house, turning off the robot? Frank, his ordinary life, visiting the library, discussions with Jennifer, the issue of books, the robot at the library? His going to the shop and stealing the soap? The threats of the owner?

6. The robot, the voice, program, the clash with Frank? The robot being effective, caring for Frank and his meals, his health? Frank gradually changing, talking, the friendship with the robot, depending on the robot?

7. Frank as a burglar, the ethics, Jennifer and the books, his discussing the issue with the robot, the decision to steal Don Quixote, to give it back to Jennifer – but Frank’s failure to do this?

8. The party, the library, Jake and his wife, hosts, the sheriff being present? Frank out of place? Jennifer going with him? His seeing Jake’s wife’s jewels?

9. Frank, the plan to rob, the arguments with the robot, rationalising his involvement? The planning, the details of the surveillance, the notes (later having to be burnt), the robot compromising and thinking the planning was good for Frank’s health? Madison arriving, shutting down the robot? Frank’s loneliness? The window of opportunity lessening?

10. The socialites, their wealth, the library? The details of their life, intercutting with the surveillance and the plan, and the execution? Hiding the jewels under the tomatoes in the garden?

11. Jake, his anger, suspicions of Frank? The sheriff and his visit, the talk? Madison and her being upset? The search, failing to find anything? Their spying on Frank?

12. Hunter, his concern, Frank seemingly dying, Hunter coming to visit him, Frank giving him the bag? The sheriff pouncing? Frank burning the plans? Carrying on?

13. Jennifer, her character, her work in the library, love of books, Mr Darcy, coming to dinner, leaving the pie at the door? At the party, realising that Frank had stolen Don Quixote? The effect? The revelation that she was Frank’s wife – and his not recognising her?

14. Frank, his relationship with Madison, her cooking, cleaning, turning the robot back on? Frank and his going into care, the many robots in the institution, gathering the family together, the meal together and his warning to Hunter about the jewels under the tomatoes?

15. The robot, his voice, personality? The sadness of Frank losing the robot – and so many similar robots in the aged care home?

16. Themes of ageing, the tone of whimsy, highlighting the issues of loss of memory, the need for care?