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 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 | robot | dementia | thief | heist | 

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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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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 2012 (France)

Also Known As:

Un amigo para Frank

Filming Locations:

Rye, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$35,539, 19 August 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,325,638, 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

[first lines]
[a phone rings, and a recorded female voice announces: "Call from Madison Weld. Call from Madison Weld"]
Frank: [Sleepy] Hello?
Madison: Hey, dad!
Frank: What? Wha...?
Madison: [On a wall video phone, with noisy transmission] Daddy, it's me, Madison. Hi!
Frank: Oh, yeah! Yeah... Hey. How are you doing?
Madison: I'm wonderful. Turkmenistan is so beautiful. I am sorry I haven't called. How are you?
Frank: Oh! You know... fine. I'm OK.
Madison: Has Hunter been coming around?
[...]

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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

Featured in Maltin on Movies: A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)

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Soundtracks

Fell On Your Head
Written and performed by Francis and the Lights
Courtesy of Polydor Ltd.
under license from Universal Music Enterprizes
K T T F Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

A surprisingly heartfelt movie about a thief and his robot. I enjoyed it and this is a good one time watch. I say B.

"How do you know this whole thing isn't just one big scam?" Frank (Langella) is an ex-jewel thief who is living alone and is getting dementia. Worried about his dad his son Hunter (Marsden) gives him a gift, a robot to help him remember things and help out around the house. At first Frank is opposed until he learns he can teach the robot to be his partner. I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie going in. It looked OK but also had a feeling it was going to be slow and a little dry. I was wrong. While the movie is not at all action packed or exciting it had an original idea that really kept you interested the entire time and I found it to be an enjoyable movie. There is comedy in this and the way its presented makes it seem like this thing could really happen. The movie is actually surprisingly touching and well worth seeing. I just don't know if I'd watch it again, but I'm glad I saw it once. Overall, a good and heartfelt movie that is well worth checking out. I give it a B.