Robot & Frank (2012)

Set in the near future, an ex-jewel thief receives a gift from his son: a robot butler programmed to look after him. But soon the two companions try their luck as a heist team.

Director:

Jake Schreier

Writer:

Christopher D. Ford (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Sarsgaard, Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frank Langella	...	Frank
James Marsden	...	Hunter
Liv Tyler	...	Madison
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Robot (voice)
Susan Sarandon	...	Jennifer
Jeremy Strong	...	Jake
Jeremy Sisto	...	Sheriff Rowlings
Rachael Ma	...	Robot Performer
Bonnie Bentley	...	Ava
Ana Gasteyer	...	Shoplady
Katherine Waterston	...	Shopgirl
Dario Barosso	...	Freckles
Joshua Ormond	...	Flattop
James D. Compton	...	Skinny Sheriff
Dana Morgan	...	Additional Robot Performer

Storyline

In the near future, Frank is a retired catburglar living alone while his successful son, Hunter, tries to care for him from afar. Finally, Hunter gets him a robot caretaker, but Frank soon learns that it is as useful as a burglary aide. As Frank tries to restart his old profession, the uncomfortable realities of a changing world and his worsening dementia threaten to take beyond what any reboot can do for him.

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Plot Keywords:

burglary | near future | robot | dementia | thief | 

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Taglines:

Friendship doesn't have an off switch.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 2012 (France)

Also Known As:

Robot i Frank

Filming Locations:

Rye, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$35,539 (USA) (17 August 2012)

Gross:

$3,325,638 (USA) (18 January 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dog Run Pictures, Park Pictures, TBB

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Throughout the entire film, only once is the robot referred to by anything other than 'Robot'. At approx 36:25 in the movie Mr. Darcy refers to "Robot" as VGC-60L.

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Goofs

After the Robot is switched on for the first time, you can see the reflection of a crew member on the side of Hunter's car, then another time after the Robot goes into the house.

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Quotes

Robot: Frank, that cereal is for children. Enjoy this grapefruit.
Frank: *You're* for children, stupid.

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Crazy Credits

Over the closing credits, there's footage of real assisted-living robots in various stages of development.

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Connections

Referenced in Blood and Guts with Scott Ian: Tony Gardner and Alterian Inc (2013)

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Soundtracks

Ahhh
Written and Performed by Sam Bisbee
Bamsamusic (BMI)/Sam Bisbee (BMI)

User Reviews

An amusing & affecting look at technology, aging, and family

A funny & touching film that is very effective at getting the audience to identify and empathize with Frank Langella's aging character, a former cat burglar who is gradually growing senile. Frank's son buys him a robot caretaker --a health-nut disciplinarian with a soft spot in its hardware heart -- and Frank eventually persuades the robot to be his partner-in-crime in some late-life capers he has planned.

The film is cleverly and ambiguously set in the "near future," so the 30- & 40-somethings of today could easily be the Franks of tomorrow: still using the slang of the 2000s & 2010s, not scared of the latest technology but still somewhat befuddled by it, and rather aghast when young people ask us about our quaint "relationship with printed media."