- Actors: Robin Williams, Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill, Oliver Platt, Kiersten Warren
- Directors: Chris Columbus
- Writers: Isaac Asimov, Nicholas Kazan, Robert Silverberg
- Producers: Chris Columbus, Dan Kolsrud, Gail Katz, Laurence Mark
- Language German
- Classification: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Run Time: 132 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0000595CJ
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 34,746 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Bicentennial Man was stung at the 1999 box office, due no doubt in part to poor timing during a backlash against Robin Williams and his treacly performances in two other, then-recent, releases, Jakob the Liar and Patch Adams. But this near-approximation of a science-fiction epic, based on works by Isaac Asimov and directed, with uncharacteristic seriousness of purpose, by Chris Columbus (Mrs Doubtfire), is much better than one would have known from the knee-jerk negativity and box-office indifference.
Williams plays Andrew, a robot programmed for domestic chores and sold to an upper-middle-class family, the Martins, in the year 2005. The family patriarch (Sam Neill) recognizes and encourages Andrew's uncommon characteristics, particularly his artistic streak, sensitivity to beauty, humour and independence of spirit. In so doing, he sets Williams's tin man on a two-century journey to become more human than most human beings.
As adapted by screenwriter Nicholas Kazan, the movie's scale is novelistic, though Columbus isn't the man to embrace with Spielbergian confidence its sweeping possibilities. Instead, the Home Alone director shakes off his familiar tendencies to pander and matures, finally, as a captivating storyteller. But what really makes this film matter is its undercurrent of deep yearning, the passion of Andrew as a convert to the human race and his willingness to sacrifice all to give and take love. Williams rises to an atypical challenge here as a futuristic Everyman, relying, perhaps for the first time, on his considerable iconic value to make the point that becoming human means becoming more like Robin Williams. Nothing wrong with that. -- Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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Being a huge fan of Isaac Asimov stories and less than a fan of Robin Williams, I was filled with dread at the prospect of a schmaltzy Hollywood star vehicle of a film. I read the media reviews at it's release and watched it bomb in the cinemas and felt justified in avoiding it.
Being a huge fan of Isaac Asimov stories and less than a fan of Robin Williams, I was filled with dread at the prospect of a schmaltzy Hollywood star vehicle of a film. I read the media reviews at it's release and watched it bomb in the cinemas and felt justified in avoiding it.
But I was very wrong.
Somehow they managed to stick pretty close to the book, certainly to the very spirit of it.
A family take receipt of a domestic robot (Andrew) who starts showing signs of unusual skills, perceptions and insights. Encouraging Andrew, the robots 'personality' is developed and it soon becomes clear that he is capable of independent thought and emotion.
The manufacturers want him back to erase his mind and as society view robots with a mixture of contempt and deep-rooted fear, Andrew's development is kept strictly low profile.
As time passes, Andrew wants to be human. As electro-mechanical components are systematically replaced over time by organic parts and prosthetics, Andrew gradually becomes a living being. But is he human?
This is the big poser. If you are made like a human, think like a human, feel like a human and want to be a human, why aren't you human?
The film does an excellent job of showing the social prejudices and Andrew (played by Robin Williams) does well to portray this unique characters emotions, interactions, conflicts and struggles.
Constrained by the 3 Laws of Robotics, Andrew has his work cut out to be recognised as a human over a period of two hundred years. His reward is final acceptance and a right to die.
Asimov's fictional societies, that included robots, were analogous to the worst kind of racist societies that existed in America at the time of writing.
Williams is very good, but just a little too slushy at times. The rest of the cast are good and the sets are generally excellent.
This is a great film - buy it!
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Bicentennial Man is a film which follows a unique and extraordinary robot over a period of approximately two hundred years in his attempt to "...be acknowledged," and become more human. It becomes obvious early after his activation by Richard Martin (Sam Neill) in the family home that `Andrew' is more that just another NDR robot. He develops an interest in classical music, builds a friendship with `little miss' and becomes a skilled craftsman... or craftsbot? The passage of time in Bicentennial Man is handled well and perfectly paced with a two hundred year journey compressed into a film just over two hours in duration. As time continues the cityscape becomes more futuristic and evolved (you may notice the change in Rupert Burns Enterprises which by the end of the film is a large state of the art facility.) You also witness several sets of characters age and in most cases die while Andrew (despite changes in external appearance) remains the same. Bicentennial man is simply a heart warming masterpiece that has been beautifully scripted and thought out. It questions what it is to be human and the morals of love, perfection and immortality. Robin Williams plays the part of Andrew, and is most likley the perfect actor for the part. The film is also quite comical in places. For example after the subject of sex is explained to Andrew, he states that "It all sounds so very... messy." Andrew also develops a fear of heights shown by his reaction when he is brought back to the manufactures and Richard Martin tells him how high they are. His phobia is understandable as early in the film he is ordered to (and obeys) to jump out a second story window. The ending of Bicentennial Man is tear jerking so I will not spoil it for you. But look out for Galatea (another NDR robot introduced in the film) who has been upgraded in time for the ending. The price of the DVD is ridiculously cheap considering the quality of the movie so I would strongly recommend this film to you.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I haven't read the book, but BICENTENNIAL MAN is a very touching and heartwarming movie about a house-robot (Robert Williams) that begins a 200-year journey to become and to be legally recognized as a human. During his journey, he has to face the fact and live with it that all loved ones around him grow older and eventually die while he is immortal.
I think that this was one of Robin Williams' best performances ever, if not the best. He proves that he can either play a 'funny wacky' character but also a serious character that will touch the hearts of the viewers. And this movie does just that.
I like the purity and the innocence of the story
I think that this was one of Robin Williams' best performances ever, if not the best. He proves that he can either play a 'funny wacky' character but also a serious character that will touch the hearts of the viewers. And this movie does just that.
I like the purity and the innocence of the story
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Oh what a MAN
Robin Williams gently lures you in and captures your heart and completely runs away with it by the end of the movie. Very touching movie with some fantastic special effects.
Published 3 months ago by Fugly
Exellent Film... not so good interpretation of the book
*SPOILER ALERT*
Firstly I honestly believe that this a great film in its own right. I watched it several times before reading the book, and wouldn't hesitate to... Read more
Firstly I honestly believe that this a great film in its own right. I watched it several times before reading the book, and wouldn't hesitate to... Read more
Published 7 months ago by S. Knight
Robots journey to humanity
One of my favourite movies. Heartwarming and leaves good feeling. Original story (Asimov's) is kept very well in this movie and Robin Williams brings his unique sense of humour to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by wolfie
A very good family film
Robin Williams proves in this movie that he can do more than slapstick and comedy. Whilst the movie is funny it is ultimately a drama that portrays a robots journey to become a... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sam
INCREDIBLE!!!!
Bicentennial Man is an amazing DVD full of warmth, humour and compassion. We watched it with our grandchildren aged 11yrs and 8yrs and were spellbound throughout.
Published 12 months ago by Colleen
Bicentennial Man DVD
Fantastic film - Robin Williams can be very irritating at times - but this is a great film - entertaining, well acted and funny, with a bitter-sweet ending!!! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Granwy
Robin rules
Robin Williams is a top actor, he delivers a touching and amusing character as Andrew, the robot who wants to be human. Read more
Published 21 months ago by MrsSonic
ignore the haters
When this film was released 18 days before the turn of the century it was hurt at the box office by two nearly fatal blows. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Inspector Gadget
Lovely Gentle Movie
OK - good actors, good plot and a very gentle film that will leave you with a nice,happy contented feeling. It's a bit futuristic, not really Sci Fi. Read more
Published 22 months ago by T. L. Price
Pygmalion returns
Just seen it on TV and will be buying it- fantastic!
What I really loved was the reference to the Pygmalion legend (see My Fair Lady)and that Galatea the robot/nurse/pseudo... Read more
What I really loved was the reference to the Pygmalion legend (see My Fair Lady)and that Galatea the robot/nurse/pseudo... Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by R. A. Fantoni
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