BICENTENNIAL MAN

REVIEWED BY DALLAS SHIPP

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: sexual implications, violence, language

Rated:

Bicentennial Man demonstrates a very unique form of science fiction that is rarely seen. In most cases, the term science fiction is thought of as vast, uncontrollable, out of this world, and leaving too many unanswered questions. Only a small group of gifted authors can present science fiction in a contained atmosphere. Bicentennial Man is one of these few. The film takes the term "Science Fiction," and makes it almost believable, in a futuristic sense. Bicentennial Man is ingeniously laced into a smaller, more controlled "World of the Future."

Bicentennial Man's uniqueness in inherited from its author. The world-renowned sci-fi writer Isaac Asimov. Asimov wrote his short story as a prelude to some of his most famous works. Including "Foundation", and "The Robots of Dawn." It is rather ironic how his most successful novels look on as the dwarf in the collection becomes a full-length film. The movie begins in the year 2005, where man has mass-produced butler robots to serve in people's homes as cooks and servants. In the Martin household, one of these beings has just been delivered. Mr. Martin had ordered the robot as a surprise for his family, but it turns out that only he and his daughter, Amanda, like it. His wife is rather bewildered by the robot, and Grace (the other daughter) seems to hate the robot for no reason. The robot is dubbed "Andrew" by Amanda, who, in turn, nicknames her "Little Miss.' Andrew, after his introduction to the family, starts his career as a house cleaner, servant, cook, and babysitter.

After only a few days with the family, Mr. Martin notices that Andrew is curious, inventive, and a talented artist. All of such being very unusual traits for a robot to show. Mr. Martin decides that Andrew is not only unique, but also a very valuable resource. Since Andrew had shown interest in woodwork, Mr. Martin puts him to work on building ornate clocks. Mr. Martin also begins to teach Andrew things that were not programmed into him, like humor and emotion. Eventually the Martins free Andrew, and allow him to lead his own life. 

After building a small house for himself, Andrew decides to search for other "unique" robots like himself. After several years of fruitless hunting, Andrew meets Rupert Burns, an odd scientist who has devised ways to make androids like Andrew look human. Andrew is thrilled with Burns' work, and offers to fund his research. It is then that Andrew realizes how much he wants to be human. He has watched people around him all of his existence, and now he may have the chance to become one of them. Bicentennial Man was rated PG for language and some sexual content, and I feel that this film was a borderline PG-13. Language was rather nasty at times and  the Lord's name was taken in vain. Sexuality was a bit high, but only in non-explicit talk and implication. One scene starts right after Mr. Martin has explained "The facts of life" to Andrew. Andrew seems quite bewildered by the topic and asks if the act is pleasurable. He also makes some other rather innocent/curious comments about sex in that scene. At another time in the film, Andrew begins telling jokes very rapidly and may have said a dirty one. 

In one scene, Grace is seen making out with a guy on a motorcycle and when asked to stop by her mother, replies that she and her boyfriend ought to get a hotel room. When Rupert is fitting Andrew to look like a real man, he mentions giving him something to make him "complete." He later says that he would not be able to reproduce, but that "it" would give him pleasure. Andrew replies that he is looking forward to that, and he and Rupert have a brief, non-explicit discussion about sex. We also see Andrew and Portia in bed together. Sex is implied but no such activity is seen.

I found Bicentennial Man to be an entertaining drama. It is a tearjerker, and was a very emotional film. Robin Williams played a very serious role in this film as Andrew Martin. I must admit that Mr. Williams does much better at comedy than drama, but he did fit his part well in Bicentennial Man. Sam Neill was smashing as Mr. Martin, and was my favorite character in the film. Oliver Platt was great as Rupert Burns, and Embeth Davidtz played Little Miss, as well as Portia, Amanda's daughter. Due to the rather heavy levels of language and sex in this film, I cannot give it any moral rating. I had a fair time seeing this film, but I don't recommend it to everyone. I advise potential viewers to be cautious, and I recommend it only to mature audiences.

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