First of all - no matter how close a movie gets to the original story, there will never be anything exactly how "it should be". With that said, I believe that Bicentennial Man, starring Robin Williams in the title role, is a wonderful adaptation of the original story written by the late Issac Asimov. My exposure to this tale was first by Asimov, in fact, and it was one of my most favourite science-fiction stories that I would read many times over as I grew up.

This movie takes liberties with the story, mainly because Robin Williams is such a wonderful character actor and I believe they just had to give their star a bit more leg-room for the role. There are times when it's painfully clear that it is Robin Williams on stage - his antics, his personality showing and not Andrew the Android's. It's acceptable though, or perhaps it's acceptable only because I adore Robin Williams, so I'll let that slide.

My general feelings of this movie are that of a live-action fable. Everything is very pristine and straight-forward. There is a message in all this and it's not cluttered with a multitude of sub-plots and twisting surprises here and there.

A bit o' plot:
Robot model NDR114, through observation of his newly adopted family, the Martins, and various experiences, learns of his uniqueness - desiring to be recognised as human.

Andrew Martin, as the robot has been christened by the younger Little Miss - as played by Hallie Kate Eisenberg, recognisable by her abundant Pepsi commercials - strives to be more than the sum of his parts. He is curious and child-like in the beginning, soaking up knowledge all around him, but this is unusual to start with - and he's creative! Robots are machines, to do what they are instructed to do and what their positronic brains have been programmed. This is highly unusual behaviour; it's "something in the pathways" - promoting Andrew to find his fate, to learn what it is he is to become.

With his family getting older and changing, Andrew changes, too. First, he strives to be a better robot - then he gets more ambitious, and asks his freedom. Finally, even that is not enough and Andrew wishes for his humanity - to be recognised as a human, a man.

Sam Neill, as Sir, tells Andrew that time is endless for the robot - he has the infinite freedom to discover all that he can be. Sir gives Andrew instruction, cutting back his workload so he can study history and art, and many other things. Sir is the catalyst for Andrew's desire in becoming human - but that desire was already within Andrew, just untapped.

Miss (younger/older), has very brief moments and is mainly used as a prop for jokes and serves as the general opinion of dislike of Andrew-as-household-appliance and disgust as to what Andrew wants to become. Then again, the original story didn't give her much besides a name, so is this an improvement? In any case, it is through her and a few others that we feel the opposition to Andrew and the differences he overcomes.

Embeth Davidtz, as a grown-up Little Miss (as well as Little Miss's granddaughter, Portia), is the focal point of this movie - first as Little Miss, where her relationship to Andrew strengthens and changes as the years go on. As Portia, Andrew's personality and growth is awakened further - he grows to love this woman, which drives the plot onward. This is one thing I have mixed emotions about - there was no "love story" in the original story. At least, there wasn't a love-story like this in the original, but it works and they had to do something for the movie, so why not?

Playing Rupert Burns, the scientist who would help Andrew to become more human, Oliver Platt gives a wonderful and low-key performance that has humour and intelligence. He and Williams play off each other very well, and you feel a certain affinity for him. I never really liked Platt until I saw him in this...could be the character he brings to life....

The acting is okay - not amazing, nor particularly great. I feel that most of the characters were either a bit stiff or just weren't really interested in their parts. The exceptions being Williams who played himself for a lot of the movie, or, rather - who played what audiences expect from Robin Williams, and Oliver Platt. Young Little Miss was just cute, but I didn't see much acting and Davidtz-as-Portia/older Little Miss had her moments, but she seemed stilted through most of the movie.

This is emotionally manipulative - I will grant it that - but despite the mediocre acting and the predictability (it's called Bicentennial Man - what do you think happens in the end?), I really loved this movie! It sucks you in with the innocence of Andrew and, at those poignant moments, the music in the background hits you hard. You root for Andrew and you smile when he wins and you ache with desire for him to win when he loses.

Folks who love Robin Williams and can handle a movie that's going to use every hook to get them stirred up and involved in the show - this is your movie. Williams has the charm and likability here as he does in Mrs. Doubtfire and What Dreams May Come.

This movie isn't for analysing - that's when you'll hate it most - but for sitting down, feeling all sorts of emotions and cuddling up with someone you love. If you want to use your brain and pull something apart - go rent something with substance and a brilliant cast of well-seasoned actors.

For those adventurous souls (or who liked the movie as much as I did), if you click on the Half.com link, you'll see that you can buy this for $2.99 as the "best price" listed! What a deal, eh?


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
Special Effects: Well at least you can't see the strings