The film project, based on material proposed by two pillars of American science fiction, or rather the creative symbiosis of Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg, resulted in the creation of this film, which critics evaluated very ambiguously. Someone excitedly sang praises, and someone attacked. Consider in this review the film "Bicentennial Man" (1999). The actors involved in the project worked well under the masterful guidance of director Chris Columbus. The result was a very solid film, some considered the best in the history of cinema dedicated to robots.
Background
In 1976, a short story by Isaac Asimov was published . The name "Bicentennial Man" aroused hackneyed dreams of immortality, but the book turned out to be about a robot who dreamed of becoming a man. The work excited the readership, as well as literary criticism. Fans of the writer's talent vied praised the new work of Asimov. Critics have prophesied life through the ages. The story has collected a good harvest of awards in the science fiction league of writer cuisine. This, of course, is “Hugo” and “Nebula” in the corresponding nomination. The author himself rated this work very highly, considering it one of the best in his writing career.
The issues raised in the story inspired Asimov and Silverberg to return to it jointly. So the novel “Positron Man” appeared, which inspired the project of the film, which will be discussed. The screenplay for him was written by Nicholas Kazan, who was not very favored by Hollywood laurels, but who was working on creating film production with dignity.
Production of the painting "Bicentennial Man"
The actors and roles in the film are well balanced thanks to the skillful approach of the already mentioned Chris Columbus. By the way, at the time of filming, he was already quite an illustrious director thanks to cute comedies about a boy who stayed home at Christmas without his parents. Speech, of course, about the paintings "Alone at Home", the first and second parts. Thus, for Columbus, the film became a kind of experiment. Since before that he was filming mainly family comedies. Here one can feel a clear philosophical subtext, even with a claim to reflection on the meaning of human existence.
As for the musical accompaniment, here it should be noted the almost permanent composer of the Hollywood mainstream of the past few decades - James Horner. Behind him, as you know, there is a tendency towards choral elements with the inclusion of Celtic motifs. The Bicentennial Man was no exception.
Actors
The leading role was played by a wonderful actor, already notorious at that time, Robin Williams - a man who has played an Oscar for the background in an equally cool project called “Good Will Hunting” for his many years of hard work. It is believed that roles often find their actors themselves. That's exactly what you can say about Robin. His kind, but at the same time long-suffering face was most opportune suited to most of his types in the movie. Many of the characters played by him survived a huge number of experiences and losses. At the same time, the comedian’s train was stubbornly reaching for the actor, since, among other things, he was also a stand-up comedian. Robin Williams plays a robot that decides to become a man. He, in general, is that very bicentennial man.
The actors who played the remaining roles are also worthy of mention. So, the second charismatic character went to Sam Neill. He plays the father of the family who bought the robot. It was the character of Nill, as conceived, that nurtured this desire to become a person. It is he who protects the vulnerable robot from the daughter's desire to use it only as a toy. It is father who inspires us with the idea that he is not just a piece of metal, but something more.
Finally, another character is important in terms of plot formation. This is one of the daughters in the family that adopted the robot. She was played by Ambet Davidz. And although the name is not at the hearing, however, in addition to a good track record, the baggage of this wonderful actress has a great talent, which allowed to create a truly integral character. Moreover, during the two-century saga, she first plays the daughter of the Amanda family, and then, after many years of chronology, and her granddaughter. And in both roles she is very good. Like the entire film "Bicentennial Man", the actors of which are worthy of the created story.
Overview
For those who have not watched, a plot outline is already being assembled from small strokes. Everyone doesn't like spoilers. We will not abuse the feelings of readers. The bottom line is simple, like so much created by science fiction classics. The film is about a robot that, for many years of its existence, having received feelings, experienced the pain of loss, decides to become a man himself. A task worthy not so much of a science fiction book as a philosophical treatise. This is the outline of the “Bicentennial Man.” Actors and roles are also very well matched.
Feedback
Spectator sympathies were divided. Some critics really liked the project itself and Williams' work in the difficult role of a robot. Others were unsatisfied with the film adaptation, for example, Pulitzer's laureate - Roger Ebert, who equalized it with asphalt. “Tomatoes” gave only 4.8 points out of 10. Be that as it may, the most important indicator of spectator interest is rental money, they speak for themselves. The film did not even raise one hundred million dollars in the project. Nevertheless, the actors of the film "Bicentennial Man" created a very worthy action that is worth seeing for every lover of real science fiction from Isaac Asimov.
Conclusion
Looking at the cinema through the prism of more than 15 years that have passed since the film adaptation, given the sudden death in the recent past of Robin Williams, I do not want to talk about implementation weaknesses. Spectators who have not seen the picture are worth noting for themselves the film "Bicentennial Man", the actors and the review of which were briefly discussed in the article.