Robot & Frank (2012)

Director:

Jake Schreier

Writer:

Christopher D. Ford (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 September 2012 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Friendship doesn't have an off switch.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Near Future | Thief | Robot | Heist | Library

Awards:

2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

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
Susan Mitchell	...	Musician
Kurt Grelak	...	Musician
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jesse Newman	...	Reception Guest (uncredited)

Directed by
Jake Schreier

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Christopher D. Ford		screenplay (as Christopher Ford)

Produced by
Lance Acord	....	producer
Jeremy Bailer	....	executive producer
Jackie Kelman Bisbee	....	producer
Sam Bisbee	....	producer
Theodora Dunlap	....	associate producer
Erika Hampson	....	co-producer
Bob Kelman	....	executive producer
Galt Niederhoffer	....	producer
Bill Perry	....	executive producer
Ann Porter	....	executive producer
Danny Rifkin	....	executive producer
Cody Ryder	....	co-producer
Delaney Schultz	....	executive producer
Jenna Schultz	....	executive producer
Stefan Sonnenfeld	....	executive producer
Tom Valerio	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Francis and the Lights

Cinematography by
Matthew J. Lloyd		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jacob Craycroft

Production Design by
Sharon Lomofsky

Art Direction by
Lisa Myers

Set Decoration by
Michelle Schluter-Ford

Costume Design by
Erika Munro

Makeup Department
Christopher Fulton	....	additional key hair stylist
Michelle Johnson	....	hair stylist: Ms. Sarandon
Kalaadevi	....	makeup artist: Ms. Sarandon
Kalaadevi	....	makeup department head
Nick London	....	key makeup artist
Theresa Marra-Siliceo	....	department head hair (as Theresa Marra Siliceo)
Jovan Vitagliano	....	key hair stylist

Production Management
Michael Sledd	....	unit production manager
Beau J. Genot	....	post-production supervisor (uncredited)
Michael J. Urann	....	post-production supervisor (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jolian Blevins	....	second assistant director
Scott Foster	....	second second assistant director
Yann Sobezynski	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Yori Ben-Haim	....	art department intern
Davide Biello	....	set dresser
Adrien Blanc	....	on-set dresser
Clinton Boughen	....	additional props
Robert Calandro	....	construction grip
Doreen Cortel	....	additional set dresser
Bianca Siu Davies	....	art production assistant (as Bianca Davies)
Rels Douglas	....	set decoration production assistant
Porter Fulmer	....	additional set dresser
John Gamiello	....	additional set dresser
Nicholas Gatto	....	set dresser
Robert Haddad	....	set decoration truck production assistant
Patrick Head	....	additional property assistant
Erinn Heilman	....	charge scenic
Alicia Leatherbury-Lamberti	....	scenic artist
James McMillan	....	construction grip
Hudson Meredith	....	graphic designer
Dan Narada	....	additional set dresser
Kevin P. O'Donnell	....	art assistant (as Kevin O'Donnell)
Tanya Pann	....	scenic artist
Tricia Peck	....	assistant property master
Bob Provenzano	....	leadman (as Bobby Provenzano)
Christopher Rovira	....	shop production assistant
Paul Rovira	....	key carpenter
Pierre Rovira	....	construction coordinator
Will Sheck	....	greensman
Hugh Sicotte	....	graphic designer
Malcolm Somsire	....	additional set dresser
Gene Spiotta	....	construction grip (as Eugene Spiotta)
Brandon Tonner-Connolly	....	property master
Roger Vianna	....	set dresser
Rob Yapkowitz	....	additional props
David C. Huet	....	props assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Antonio Arroyo	....	sound mixer
Thom 'Coach' Ehle	....	dolby consultant
Sherrell Hodges	....	facility manager
Paul Hsu	....	sound designer
Branka Mrkic	....	dialogue editor (as Branka Mrkic-Tana)
Guillermo Pena-Tapia	....	boom operator
Luciano Vignola	....	sound intern

Special Effects by
Ken Banks	....	mold maker: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
Peter A. Chevako	....	mechanical designer: robot and robotic effects, Alterian (as Peter Chevako)
Brie Ford	....	seamer: robot and robotic effects, Alterian (as Brianna Ford)
Tony Gardner	....	project supervisor: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
Tim Huizing	....	shop supervisor: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
Bill Jacobs	....	mold maker: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
Aaron Romero	....	fabricator: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
John Shea	....	seamer: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
David Smith	....	sculptor: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
Lilo Tauvao	....	designer: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
Lilo Tauvao	....	on-set supervisor: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
Kevin Weir	....	vacu-forming: robot and robotic effects, Alterian

Visual Effects by
Cara Buckley	....	visual effects head of production: Method Studios
Christa Cox	....	visual effects producer: Method Studios
Greg Cutler	....	additional flame artist: Art Jail
Beau Dickson	....	additional flame artist: Art Jail
Aleksandar Djordjevic	....	visual effects artist: Method Studios
Brendan Fitzgerald	....	technical consultant: Method Studios
Hardave Grewal	....	additional flame artist: Art Jail
Robert Henry	....	visual effects artist: Method Studios
Graham Holly	....	additional flame artist: Art Jail
Alexander Jacquet	....	visual effects artist: Method Studios (as Alex Jacquet)
Martin Lazaro	....	visual effects supervisor: Method Studios
Ryan Leonard	....	visual effects artist: Method Studios
Ruoyu Li	....	cg artist: Art Jail
David Marte	....	visual effects artist: Method Studios
Justin Maynard	....	visual effects artist: Method Studios
Leslie McCartney	....	visual effects producer: Art Jail
Chris Memoli	....	additional flame artist: Art Jail
Steve Mottershead	....	lead flame artist: Art Jail
David Piombino	....	visual effects artist: Method Studios
Heather Saunders	....	visual effects production coordinator: Method Studios
Elsa Tu	....	additional flame artist: Art Jail
Mirelle Underwood	....	visual effects artist: Method Studios

Stunts
Chris Cenatiempo	....	stunt coordinator
Richardson Desil	....	stunt player
Don Hewitt Sr.	....	stunt double: Frank

Camera and Electrical Department
Curtis Abbott	....	media manager
Lance Acord	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Craig Addonizio	....	additional electric
Christian Baird	....	additional electric
Cesar Baptista	....	key grip
Thomas Beczynski	....	rigging electric
Will Blacksmith	....	rigging grip
Andrew Brinkman	....	additional media manager
Jessica Burstein	....	still photographer
Nina Chien	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Boris Cifuentes	....	rigging electric
Pedro Corcega	....	additional media manager
Nicole Cosgrove	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Edward Diaz	....	additional grip
Teresa Dolan	....	rigging best boy (as Teresa 'Dede' Dolan)
David Edsall	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Andrew Engert	....	additional electric
Johnny M. Fermin	....	rigging electric
Billy Green	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Billy Green	....	steadicam operator
Travis Hottinger	....	additional electric
David Isern	....	camera operator: "a" cam (as Dave Isern)
David Isern	....	steadicam operator (as Dave Isern)
Keith Kalohelani	....	balloon operator
Kurt Kroll	....	additional electric (as Kurt M. Kroll)
Daniel Luebke	....	best boy electric (as Dan Luebke)
Daniel Luebke	....	rigging gaffer (as Dan Luebke)
Erinne Lukaniec	....	dolly grip
Chris Maida	....	additional grip
Cory McClean	....	additional electric
Kevin McClean	....	generator operator
Ryan Minelli	....	rigging electric
John Oliveira	....	best boy grip
Nuno Oliveira	....	additional grip
Seacia Pavao	....	still photographer
Mario Pignard Jr.	....	balloon operator (as Mario Pignard)
Nicole Rivelli	....	still photographer
Brien Sauchelli	....	additional grip
Richard P. Ulivella	....	gaffer
Bill Van Ingen	....	generator operator
Sam Vaterlaus	....	additional electric
Joseph White	....	additional grip
Carl Casano	....	electrician (uncredited)
Shane Duckworth	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Jaeme Griffin	....	casting consultant: background
Brad Kenny	....	casting manager
Jim Tierney	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Virginia Cook	....	wardrobe supervisor
Rebecca Edmonston	....	key costumer (as Rebecca 'Red' Edmonston)
Alice Hood	....	costume department intern
Charlese Antoinette Jones	....	assistant costume designer (as Charlese Jones)
Kristen Konzet	....	additional costumer
Sabrina Reichert	....	costume department intern
Samantha L. Seda	....	costume production assistant

Editorial Department
Angel Askins	....	digital intermediate producer
Mike Chiado	....	digital intermediate technologist
Sean Coleman	....	digital intermediate colorist
Josh Cramer	....	pro support: Final Cu
Giovanni DiGiorgio	....	digital intermediate colorist assistant
Dan Goslee	....	digital conform artist
Nick Houy	....	assistant editor
Matt Johnson	....	digital conform artist
Jackie Lee	....	digital intermediate executive
Ali Muney	....	assistant editor
Sean Pierce	....	dailies coordinator
Veronica Rutledge	....	assistant editor
Travis Hottinger	....	vision mixer (uncredited)
Lance Spindler	....	color timer (uncredited)
Devin Sterling	....	head of post-production (uncredited)

Music Department
Sam Bisbee	....	music supervisor
Blair Eisenhart	....	assistant orchestrator
Brian McKenna	....	music mixer
Grace Na	....	music mixing assistant
Matt Veligdan	....	arranger
Matt Veligdan	....	conductor
Matt Veligdan	....	orchestrator
Basil Moore	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Tom Baker	....	driver
Paul Forste	....	driver
Mike Giunta	....	transportation captain
Robert Jean-Pierre	....	driver
Frank Lomuto	....	driver

Other crew
Nancy Adams	....	lead post accountant: Adams & Salter CPAs (as Nancy L. Adams)
Chandler Adasko	....	production assistant: robot
David Ashley	....	legal services: production and distribution, Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard
Jack Bavaro	....	production accountant
Nathan Buffaloe	....	production assistant
Patricia Charles	....	first assistant: accountant
Patricia Charles	....	payroll accountant
Beverly Cole	....	key production secretary
Shannon de Zeeuw	....	production secretary
Kim Delise	....	script supervisor
Stephanie Donnelly	....	location intern
Martine Dorfman	....	talent associate: kids
Mark Edlitz	....	assistant: Susan Sarandon
Scott Friedman	....	paperwork production assistant
Annie Gaudet	....	additional post accounting
Richard Hagerty	....	office production assistant
Kevin Hindley	....	clearance research: IndieClear
Takina Holloman	....	production coordinator
Adam King	....	production assistant
Rich Koski	....	key production assistant
Mathew Lee	....	production assistant: robot
Brittany Love	....	production assistant: robot
Chelsea Lupkin	....	production assistant: robot
Robert Mietusch	....	location intern
Kristen Mink	....	assistant location manager
Nick Noyes	....	production assistant
Justin Ouellette	....	designer: ui
Kristen Paladino	....	talent associate: robot
Lynda Reynolds	....	chef
Michael K. Reynolds	....	chef (as Michael Reynolds)
Javier Rojas	....	craft service
Lee Rosenberg	....	unit production assistant
Jack Santry	....	finance management: robot and robotic effects, Alterian
Jon Sheflin	....	office production intern
Fred Siegel	....	tax and business advisory services (as Fred Siegel CPA)
Marc H. Simon	....	legal services: production and distribution, Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard
Andrew Sorgie	....	production assistant
Amanda Sorrentino	....	additional post accounting
Louie Tremblay	....	production assistant
Roger R. Velilia	....	craft service (as Roger Velilla)
Andreas O'Donohue Villaggio	....	production assistant (as Andreas O'Donohue)
Niccolò Vitelli	....	key production assistant
Zach Warsavage	....	production assistant
Andrew M. Wilson	....	production assistant
Josh Wilson	....	production assistant
Tom Yeager	....	location manager (as Thomas Yeager)
Cameron Arguelles	....	quality control (uncredited)
Susan Millard	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Nicki Slack	....	additional office production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Michael Bloomberg	....	special thanks
Adam Chordock	....	thank you
Ben Dickinson	....	thank you
Jill Donnelly	....	thank you
Denis Ford	....	thank you
Goetz Grossman	....	thank you
Jeffrey Heimer	....	thank you
Jeff Kaplan	....	thank you
Ruby Katilius	....	thank you
Jon Lame	....	thank you
Aaron Lammer	....	thank you
Patricia Lee	....	thank you
Alison Leonard	....	thank you
Dan Mahoney	....	thank you
Katherine Oliver	....	special thanks
Herbert Schreier	....	thank you
Duncan Skiles	....	thank you
Judith Stacey	....	thank you
Jon Watts	....	thank you
Aaron Wesner	....	thank you

Production Companies

• Dog Run Pictures
• Park Pictures
• TBB
• White Hat

Distributors

• Stage 6 Films (2012) (USA) (all media)
• Alliance Films (2012) (Ireland) (theatrical)
• Alliance Films (2012) (UK) (theatrical)
• EuropaCorp. Distribution (2012) (France) (theatrical)
• Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co. (2013) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Paradiso Entertainment (2012) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Samuel Goldwyn Films (2012) (USA) (theatrical)
• Senator Filmverleih (2012) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing Canada (2012) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) (2012) (USA) (theatrical)
• A Contracorriente Films (2012) (Spain) (all media)
• Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2012) (United Arab Emirates) (all media) (Middle East)
• Golden Scene (2013) (Hong Kong) (DVD)
• Golden Scene (2013) (Hong Kong) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Paradiso Home Entertainment (2013) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Pris Audiovisuais (2013) (Portugal) (all media)
• Senator Home Entertainment (2013) (Germany) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2013) (USA) (DVD)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Bangladesh) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Bhutan) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (India) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Nepal) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Pakistan) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Sri Lanka) (all media)

Special Effects

• Alterian (robot and robotic effects)
• Castelli Models (Darcy designed and constructed by)
• Method Studios (visual effects)
• Art Jail (visual effects)

Other Companies

• ARRI / Camera Service Center  cameras & lenses (as ARRI CSC)
• Adams & Salter CPAs  post-production accounting services
• B Toven Studios New York City  music mixed at
• C5  sound post-production
• Central Casting  background casting
• Chapel of St George's Church New York City, The  strings recorded at
• Company 3  digital intermediate
• Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard  legal services: production and distribution
• Creative Artists Agency (CAA)  distribution advisory services provided by
• EMPAC  additional recording at
• Entertainment Partners Service Group  payroll services (as Entertainment Partners)
• Falco Ink.  public relations
• Goblin Lighting Services  grip & lighting equipment
• HSBC Bank USA  banking services (as HSBC Bank)
• House of Trim  post-production facilities
• IndieClear  script clearance research
• International Creative Management  distribution advisory services provided by
• Movieland Caterers  catering (as Movieland Catering)
• Nickerson Research  footage clearance: robot
• Reiff & Associates  insurance broker
• Smooth Moving Productions  Steadicam equipment provided by
• Smooth Moving Productions  wireless video

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some language

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Sweden:7 | UK:12A | Singapore:PG13 | South Korea:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:12A | Germany:o.Al. | Portugal:M/12 | Japan:G

Filming Locations:

Cold Spring, New York, USA

Company:

Dog Run Pictures

Trivia:

Throughout the entire film, not once is a name for the robot spoken.

Quotes:

Frank:The human brain, a lovely piece of hardware.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Maltin on Movies: Best and Worst Movies of 2012 (#1.99)" (2013)

Soundtrack:

Ahhh

Funny and sad in equal measure

It seems like once a year or so an Alzheimer's movie comes along and knocks me for a loop. I don't know what it is; I've never had any personal, real-life experience with the condition or its unfortunate sufferers, but there's ripe material for crafting warm and moving stories which invariably end with me in tears. In the last few years I have been devastated by films such as Away From Her and Barney's Version, and while Robot and Frank is certainly comparable, it's a lighter, less harrowing take on a tragic side of aging, and ultimately results in a much more enjoyable experience.

Frank Langella plays Frank, a divorced senior living a life of solitude in rural New York. Between visits and video calls from his children (James Marsden and Liv Tyler) concerned about his seemingly deteriorating mental state, Frank fills his time with visits to the local library to flirt with librarian Jennifer (Susan Sarandon), and by shoplifting decorative soaps from the store occupying the former site of his favourite restaurant. He is a man of the past, and his little moments of defiance in the face of change establish his character early, so when Hunter (Marsden) arrives with a new robot caregiver, Frank is understandably offended.

As much as Frank's memory regarding the day to day seems to be fading, his former 'profession' as a cat burglar remains at the front of his mind, and the robot's insistence on finding a project to keep him mentally engaged opens a window of opportunity for Frank to focus his mind and retreat back to the glory days of his youth. The planning and execution of heists sees a charming relationship forming between Frank and his robot companion, complemented by a sweet potential romance and stark moments of sadness.

There's a clever subtext running through Robot and Frank as well, commenting on the loss of personality in the digital age, and the disposable nature of modern life. The more we come to rely on technology for everything, from our reading material to our aged care, the less we ourselves are practically capable of, giving rise to a generation of privileged, ironic, but purposeless people ('yuppies' as Frank calls them). What Robot and Frank highlights is not just the fragility, but also the value of a mind filled with life experience and skills. There's no substitute for the complex intelligence of our brains, and even the most sophisticated technology has more to learn from us.

Robot and Frank feels like a film aimed at an older generation, but there is so much to enjoy for anyone who might be occasionally frustrated by our cynical modern world. There's a great balance of laughs, romance and sadness with a fun sci-fi twist, right down to the subtle Star Wars reference.

tinribs27.wordpress.com