Film Review: Robot Dreams

5 Stars

If the bold, award-winning animated feature film Robot Dreams has anything to do with it, then old dogs can in fact learn many new tricks. Some tricks are even as complicated as dealing with the arc of love and loss, the agony of modern loneliness, and the self-care that comes from sometimes letting the past go.

All of the above blends together beautifully in one of the most unique films of the year, an accomplishment even more impressive when you consider the skill it took to achieve this nuance from a movie that contains no dialogue in any form (canine, human, or mechanical).

Adapted from American children’s author Sara Varon’s graphic novel of the same name, Robot Dreams was brilliantly “written” and directed by Spanish animator-turned-creativo Pablo Berger, who also acts as a key producer. His passion for the project, which took five years to make, is evident in every frame.

With a remarkably simple plot and equally remarkable impact, the story itself is set in New York City of the 1980s when a very lonely DOG sees a late night infomercial and orders himself a kit to create a ROBOT companion. Once the DOG activates the ROBOT, they become fast and fierce friends who find in each other a reason and purpose for life. So joyous is their connection, it even breeds a disco-inspired song and dance that becomes their anthem.

Just as we feel all is suddenly right in this imaginary world, their friendship is torn apart by separation, and DOG and ROBOT must find a way to reconnect or move on in their lives. And if you don’t believe you could be on the edge of joyful and sorrowful tears watching it all play out, then wait till you meet them.

DOG is quiet, observant, and thoughtful to his friend. ROBOT sees his purpose and utility in making DOG happy. Together, life is bliss. When they are unexpectedly separated, both are in agony. Each is desperately searching for the other, and their journeys play out on screen in real, imagined, and magical ways.

It all combines to create a rich narrative that speaks volumes about humanity without a single word spoken and not one Homo sapien character in it.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was later nominated for Best Animated Film this year at the Oscars (among other international accolades). Edgy distributor Neon picked up North American rights and is showcasing Robot Dreams in limited theatrical release before streaming on Apple TV+ this fall. I highly recommend you check it out, and my hope is that kids of all ages will dig it with you. The project is not rated.

Visually mesmerizing in a hand-drawn style all its own, Robot Dreams speaks in a universal way anyone can understand using body and facial language, musical interludes, and a pastiche of anthropomorphic cues. With characters who are intentionally non-gendered, audiences can imprint any interpretation they feel here on DOG and ROBOT, making it all the more wonderful.

In a time when our entire world is dealing with a loss of connection, the story of this unlikely friendship across all barriers provides a cathartic edginess that feels like a genuine treat in the dog-eat-dog world of Hollywood sameness.

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