Bicentennial Man (1999)

An android endeavors to become human as he gradually acquires emotions.

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers:

Isaac Asimov (short story "The Bicentennial Man"), Isaac Asimov (novel),

Stars:

Robin Williams, Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Andrew Martin
Embeth Davidtz	...	Little Miss Amanda Martin / Portia Charney
Sam Neill	...	'Sir' Richard Martin
Oliver Platt	...	Rupert Burns
Kiersten Warren	...	Galatea
Wendy Crewson	...	'Ma'am' Martin
Hallie Kate Eisenberg	...	Little Miss Amanda Martin - Age 7
Lindze Letherman	...	'Miss' Grace Martin - Age 9
Angela Landis	...	'Miss' Grace Martin
John Michael Higgins	...	Bill Feingold - Martin's Lawyer
Bradley Whitford	...	Lloyd Charney
Igor Hiller	...	Lloyd Charney - Age 10
Joe Bellan	...	Robot Delivery Man #1
Brett Wagner	...	Robot Delivery Man #2
Stephen Root	...	Dennis Mansky - Head of NorthAm Robotics

Storyline

This film follows the 'life' and times of the lead character, an android who is purchased as a household robot programmed to perform menial tasks. Within a few days the Martin family realizes that they don't have an ordinary droid as Andrew begins to experience emotions and creative thought. In a story that spans two centuries, Andrew learns the intricacies of humanity while trying to stop those who created him from destroying him.

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Plot Keywords:

android | robot | actor playing multiple roles | disembodied head | robot as pathos | 

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Taglines:

One robot's 200 year journey to become an ordinary man.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some sexual content

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Andrew Martin

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£453,512 (UK) (21 January 2000)

Gross:

$58,220,776 (USA) (26 May 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

1492 Pictures, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Laurence Mark Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The futuristic headquarters of "NorthAm Robotics" are actually the headquarters of Oracle Corporation, in Redwood Shores, CA.

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Goofs

When Andrew is walking through the park with Portia, his shirt is wide open. When they stop to talk, it is almost closed. When they walk again, it is open again.

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Quotes

Galatea: Sucks to be you!

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Connections

Referenced in Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction (2009)

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Soundtracks

"(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone"
Written by Aretha Franklin and Ted White
Performed by Aretha Franklin
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Outstanding

I heaven'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 and I wonder why this movie has such a low rating. It's a must see for all open minded people.