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 2 wins & 7 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 Eisenberg	...	Little Miss Amanda Martin - Age 7 (as Hallie Kate Eisenberg)
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:

robot | breaking a figurine | android | artificial intelligence | dual role | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | 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 USA:

$8,234,926, 19 December 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$58,220,776, 28 May 2000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$93,700,000

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

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Adam Bryant, who appears as the android head, has been Robin Williams' stand-in for more than a dozen films.

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Goofs

Level of beer in glass when Rupert is telling Andrew about being able to taste.

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Quotes

Andrew Martin: [Immediately following the death of "Little Miss"] Will every human being that I care for just... leave?
Portia: I'm afraid so...
Andrew Martin: That won't do.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Magnolia/Stuart Little/Anna and the King/Bicentennial Man/Topsy-Turvy (1999)

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Soundtracks

Muskrat Ramble
Written by Kid Ory (as Edward Ory) and Ray Gilbert

User Reviews

More Depth than Appears on the Surface

Most people who have seen this movie are of the opinion that it was average at best. Indeed there is no complicated plot, no big action scenes and a predictable ending but there is a Story. It's Andrew with his Box of Chocolats, simply going through life searching for what eludes him and what we generally take for granted - humanity. The characters along the way are well acted - in particular the robot creator and his ditsy assistant. This movie is a tear jerker as Andrew's friends come and go and lifetimes pass him by without him really comprehending it all. The only real failings were the large gaps in time and how Andrew came about - but then it's difficult to compress 200 years into 1 1/2 hours. If you enjoyed Azimov's books as much as I did, then this movie is for you. Far better in my opinion than IA or I Robot who also took their cues from Azimov.