SHORT TAKES
ROBOT & FRANK – STARS FRANK LANGELLA, JAMES MARSDEN, LIV
TYLER AND SUSAN SARANDON
ROBOT & FRANK – opened in San Francisco 2012 at
Landmark’s Embarcadero Center, Sundance Kabuki in SF, Landmark’s Albany Twin in
Albany, CineArts in Pleasant Hill, Camera 7 in Campbell, Santana Row in San
Jose, Palo Alto Square in Palo Alto, Regency in San Rafael. Also opens on
August 31st at Santa Cruz, and in Santa Rosa.
This feature film debut of commercial director Jake Schreier
was an instant favorite at the Sundance Film Festival and it also screened at
the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Here’s the deal: Frank (Frank Langella) is a retired cat
burglar. He has two grown kids who are concerned about his well-being. His kids
want to place him in a nursing home, but Frank’s son decides on a different
option. And the son buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot that is
programmed to help Frank get around physically and mentally. But, you’re in for
a surprise. Frank is not a dumb minded as you might think and the Robot tries
to outfox the retired Frank.
The movie is hilarious and the robot and Frank try to outwit
each other. It’s like me trying to figure out how to make a 4-G phone work. By
the way Frank does not want the Robot around, and he finds sneaky ways to
outwit everyone. He still knows how to steal Jewels.
This movie has tremendous style and the right cast. Its kind
of science fiction mixed up with human beings. The Robot is extremely clever.
There are plot twists that will surprise the hell out of you. The wonderful
Stars are: Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon. “ONE OF
THE BEST FILMS THIS YEAR!”
RATING: Four Boxes of Popcorn!!!! (highest rating)
–trademarked-
(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San
Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook. He also produced and hosted a long-running
Arts-segment on PBS KQED)))
No comments:
Post a Comment