Robot & Frank (12A)

Comedy, Crime, Drama

Set in the near future, an ex-jewel thief receives a gift from his son: a robot butler programmed to look after him. But soon the two companions try their luck as a heist team.

The critical consensus

With all the external charms of a heart-warming, family drama Schreier’s comparison of old and new languishes in the wonders of technological advancement but also very firmly reminds us of the importance of those things society can sometimes leave behind.

(*) Callum Madge, TVBomb, 26/02/2013

Jake Schreier’s first feature is a slight story – it’s maybe something that could have turned up in an episode of the Twilight Zone – but it’s also tender and rather charming.

(*) Siobhan Synnot, The Scotsman, 03/03/2013

While a tad on the slight side, Robot & Frank is a charming, moving and enjoyable indie sci-fi. And the robot is miles better than the one from Rocky IV.

(*) Stephen Carty, Flix Capacitor, 06/03/2013

Forget the sci-fi trimmings and sentimental pay-off — this is a gleefully subversive character study of a charming but unapologetic rogue.

(*) Damon Wise, Empire Online, 04/03/2013

It’s Langella’s performance that makes this tangible, keeping the ailing Frank forcefully in the moment even when the moment is lost in a fog of confusion.

(*) Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 07/03/2013

A comedy drama about an old man and his befriending of a robot could have shortcircuited in tears of pathos. Instead, Robot & Frank noodles around the subject of this odd couple in ways you don't quite expect.

(*) Anthony Quinn, The Independent, 07/03/2013

Despite the amusing premise this isn’t funny, moving or eventful enough to merit a trip to the cinema.

(*) (*) Henry Fitzherbert, 07/03/2013

(*) (*) Nigel Andrews, Financial Times, 07/03/2013

Essentially, this is a slight piece of work, and not without its faults.

(*) (*) David Gritten, The Telegraph, 07/03/2013

Robot & Frank does not quite deliver a killer punch, but it's an engaging, humane fantasy.

(*) (*) Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 07/03/2013

A fairly cheap trick towards the denouement aside, this is cutely observed, thoughtful work.

(*) Chris Fyvie, The Skinny, 06/03/2013

Robot & Frank develops into a touching yet unsentimental buddy movie, with a humdinger of a twist and some sly satirical digs at yuppie hipsters. And how nice to see a sci-fi film that doesn't require armies of computer-generated monsters, just one boxy, white plastic Jeeves.

(*) Nicholas Barber, The Independent, 09/03/2013

The movie is highly enjoyably for three quarters of the way. It then runs out of steam and opts for a general sadness about geriatrics and cybernetics.

Philip French, The Observer, 10/03/2013