Bicentennial Man Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A robot slowly replaces all his parts with human ones until he can finally die with the woman he loves and everyone claps.

🍿 Bicentennial Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Andrew and the Martin Family

In 2005, the Martin family receives a new NDR-114 robot named Andrew (Robin Williams) to perform household tasks. Initially, the family, consisting of Sir (Sam Neill), Ma’am (Wendy Crewson), and their daughters Grace and Amanda (‘Little Miss,’ played by Hallie Eisenberg), view Andrew as a mere appliance. However, Andrew soon begins to exhibit unusual creativity and emotions, setting him apart from other robots. Andrew’s unique qualities are noticed when he creates a wooden figurine for Little Miss after accidentally breaking one of her glass ornaments. Sir recognizes Andrew’s potential and encourages his development, providing him with education and freedom to explore his artistic talents, particularly clock making.

Andrew’s Quest for Freedom and Identity

As Andrew develops his skills and understanding of the world, he amasses wealth and eventually seeks legal recognition as an individual. He hires an attorney and requests his freedom from the Martin family, a request that Sir reluctantly grants. This newfound freedom leads Andrew on a journey to discover other robots like himself and understand what it truly means to be human. During his journey, Andrew encounters Rupert Burns (Oliver Platt), the son of the original designer of the NDR robots. Rupert has been working on advanced robotics and prosthetic organs. Andrew finances Rupert’s research, leading to significant advancements in robotics and Andrew’s physical transformation towards a more human appearance.

Love and the Pursuit of Humanity

Over the years, Andrew maintains contact with the Martin family. He eventually falls in love with Portia (Embeth Davidtz), Amanda’s granddaughter, who reciprocates his feelings. However, their relationship is complicated by Andrew’s status as a non-human entity. To be with Portia, Andrew embarks on a quest to become legally recognized as human. Andrew petitions the World Congress for recognition, but his request is denied due to his immortality. Determined, Andrew undergoes experimental procedures to give himself human attributes, including aging and mortality. He believes that mortality is essential to truly experiencing the human condition.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Andrew (Robin Williams): A household robot who embarks on a 200-year journey to become human, experiencing emotions, creativity, and ultimately seeking recognition and mortality.
• Little Miss (Amanda Martin) (Embeth Davidtz): A member of the Martin family who initially forms a strong bond with Andrew and supports his journey toward self-discovery and freedom.
• Sir (Richard Martin) (Sam Neill): The patriarch of the Martin family who recognizes Andrew’s unique qualities and encourages his development, becoming a mentor and friend.
• Rupert Burns (Oliver Platt): A robotics engineer who helps Andrew transform himself physically and technologically, aiding in his quest to become more human.
• Galatea (Kiersten Warren): Another NDR series robot who, unlike Andrew, has an implanted personality chip, serving as a point of comparison in Andrew’s journey.
• Portia (Embeth Davidtz): Amanda’s granddaughter who falls in love with Andrew, sharing his desire for humanity and fighting for their right to be together.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Andrew: “May one, sir? Is now a good time?” – Andrew’s polite and formal way of speaking becomes a signature trait.
• Andrew: “I’m pursuing my own humanity.” – Andrew explains his quest, highlighting the central theme of the film.
• Andrew: “One is pleased to be of service.” – Andrew’s characteristic formal speech reflects his initial programming and evolving personality.
• Andrew: “To be acknowledged for who and what I am; no more, no less.” – Andrew’s heartfelt plea to the World Congress, articulating his desire for recognition as a human.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $58,223,861
• Worldwide Gross: $87,423,861

💥 Bicentennial Man Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching Bicentennial Man as a kid and being so moved by Andrew’s journey. Robin Williams did an amazing job portraying the robot’s evolution and desire to be human. The scene where he asks for his freedom really hit me hard and stuck with me for years. Even though it gets a bit cheesy at times, I still find myself tearing up at the end. It makes you think about what it really means to be human and appreciate the little things in life. It’s a flawed film for sure, but for me, it’s a heartwarming, memorable experience.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robin Williams’ dramatic roles”
  • “Viewers interested in philosophical science fiction”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about artificial intelligence and humanity”
  • “Audiences who appreciate sentimental and heartwarming narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of death and mortality”
  • “Some mild language”
  • “Innuendo and mature themes related to love and relationships”
  • “Brief discussions of sexuality”
  • “Euthanasia”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Bicentennial Man is a well-meaning film, but it’s also a deeply flawed one. Robin Williams tries his best, but the movie meanders through time, never quite finding its emotional core. The special effects are decent, but they can’t make up for the story’s lack of focus and somewhat predictable outcome.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Overlong and sentimental, Bicentennial Man suffers from a serious lack of originality. Robin Williams is earnest but ultimately unconvincing as the robot yearning for humanity. The film relies too heavily on cheap emotional manipulation, making it a tiresome viewing experience.
• Variety: “Despite Robin Williams’ committed performance, Bicentennial Man feels disjointed. The film tries to tackle complex themes of identity and mortality but doesn’t quite succeed. It’s visually appealing, but the narrative is uneven, resulting in a lukewarm adaptation of Asimov’s story.

Audience Reactions

Robin Williams’ performance as Andrew is heartwarming and unforgettable.: Viewers appreciate the emotional depth and Robin Williams’ portrayal of Andrew.

The film’s exploration of humanity and identity resonates with many viewers.: The movie’s thematic focus on what it means to be human is often praised.

Overall Consensus: Bicentennial Man is a sentimental and somewhat flawed film with a heartwarming performance by Robin Williams that explores the themes of humanity and identity, resonating with many viewers despite its shortcomings.

Awards

1. Blockbuster Entertainment Award (Favorite Supporting Actor – Sci-Fi)- 2000

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robin Williams ad-libbed the jokes Andrew tells the Martin family; the other actors’ reactions are genuine.”
• “The film’s futuristic setting incorporates design elements from the Arts and Crafts movement and Art Nouveau.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bicentennial Man?

Bicentennial Man is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability. Physical copies of the DVD and Blu-ray are also available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon and major retail stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bicentennial Man, you might like these similar films:

• A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001): Explores similar themes of artificial intelligence, humanity, and the desire to be loved through the journey of a robot child.
• Her (2013): Focuses on a man who develops a relationship with an AI operating system, questioning the nature of love and connection in a technologically advanced world.
• Blade Runner (1982): Explores themes of what defines humanity and the ethical treatment of artificial beings, set in a dystopian future where androids (‘replicants’) are hunted.
• Edward Scissorhands (1990): Shares the theme of an artificial being struggling to find acceptance and love in a human world, though with a darker, more whimsical tone.

🛒 Bicentennial Man Related Products

• Isaac Asimov’s Bicentennial Man: The Positronic Man: The original novel by Isaac Asimov, exploring the themes of humanity and artificial intelligence in a more nuanced way than the film adaptation.
• Robot Building Kit for Kids Ages 8-12, Remote & APP Controlled STEM Projects for Boys: This STEM kit allows kids to build and program their own robots, encouraging creativity and problem-solving, similar to Andrew’s inventive spirit.
• Robot T-Shirt: A fun t-shirt featuring a vintage robot design. Show your appreciation for the theme of robots learning to be human.
• The Complete Robot: This complete collection of Isaac Asimov’s robot stories is a must-have for fans of Asimov’s robot stories.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bicentennial Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Then You Look at Me” – performed by Céline Dion
• “Coro di schiavi ebrei (Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate)” – performed by Giuseppe Verdi
• “The Nearness Of You” – performed by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Robots Becoming Human?！#shorts

Check out this thought-provoking clip from Bicentennial Man that explores the boundaries of humanity and the nature of consciousness in a unique and visually captivating way.

Everything GREAT About I, Robot!

Curious about the appeal of sci-fi movies about robots? This video delves into the strengths of “I, Robot,” providing a thoughtful analysis that will resonate with fans of both “I, Robot” and “Bicentennial Man.”

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