Robot & Frank

Out of all the commercial films that are in the offing, especially during the summer season, it's nice to see a handful of small indie films to help one with the confidence that the movie business isn't just a money making entity. I can definitely see this when it came to viewing "Robot & Frank".

In a small upstate New York town in the near future, an ex-jewel thief, Frank (Frank Langella) reluctantly receives a gift from his son, Hunter (James Marsden): a robot butler/aide (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard) programmed to look after him. I say reluctantly, because Frank not only lives in the past, but seemingly is starting to lose his short-term memory ability. He lives in the past by going to the town library to read books and talk with the librarian, Jennifer (Susan Sarandon), but then has to be reminded constantly that Harry's Restaurant has been closed for a while when he says he's going there for breakfast.
So, out of desperation of not having to drive 10 hour trips, every week to take care of his dad, Hunter buys this robot so he doesn't have to be away from his family so much and still knows his dad will be taken care of.
But after a rough period of awkwardness, mostly from Frank, they soon get to know and understand each other and Frank soon realizes the Robot's ability with locks. So, coerced by Frank, they try their luck as a heist team.

Others to round out the cast are Liv Tyler as Madison, Frank's daughter, Jeremy Strong as Jake, and Jeremy Sisto as Sheriff Rowlings.

This was directed by virtual newcomer Jake Schreier, who was the ex-keyboardist for indie sensation Francis and the Lights who actually created a great original score for this film. Schreier has done TV and some shorts, and with only that little of experience, he should go far, because the emotion he was able to get out of his actors was genuine and real. It was written by Christopher Ford ("The Scariest Show on Television" (TV movie) '08, "The Fuzz" (TV movie) '11), and with the exception of a couple of places that seemed a bit slow, it was a dynamic script, and the premise was spot on.

This was clearly a place to let Langella shine at what he does best, and that's acting. This could garner a nomination come Oscar time. He played a man walking that tightrope of lucidity and confusion so well, that, if you didn't know who Langella was, you'd think this actor was border-lining this condition.

If you can appreciate fine, artfully presented acting, not just by Langella, but the supporting cast as well, you will revel, but if you are waiting for high adrenaline, explosive fare, keep on walking to the typical multiplex.

Out of 4 stars: 3.5                       Rated: PG-13                          90mins.