Bicentennial Man

In “Good Will Hunting,” “Patch Adams,” and this 1999 film based on a short story by Isaac Asimov, the late Robin Williams has put on screen a series of characters who are all involved in the spiritual way of “gentling the heart.” Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat said in their review, “While many reviewers have been highly critical of these touchy-feely dramas, this talented and sensitive actor is modeling for us what Buddhists call "training the heart." This inner work is an essential path and practice for anyone on a spiritual journey. Williams is to be commended for doing such pioneer work on the screen.”

Richard Martin (Sam Neill) surprises his wife (Wendy Crewson) and two daughters (Lindze Letherman and Hallie Kate Eisenberg) with a new NDR-114 robot that the youngest girl names Andrew. This shiny robot cooks, cleans, and looks after the children. Soon Richard sees that Andrew is very unique – he shows signs of creativity, curiosity, and an interested mind. His friendship with “Little Miss,” as he calls the youngest daughter, increases as she grows up as a young woman, now played by Embeth Davidtz).

After asking for and gaining his freedom, Andrew finds his own place to live and then goes out to find other robots of his kind. With some good luck, he meets Rupert Burns (Oliver Platt), a robotics inventor and Galatea (Kiersten Warren). Together they find ways to upgrade Andrew’s nervous system and his outer appearance. When he meets Little Miss, who’s now an older woman, he is in love with her look-alike granddaughter Portia. The movie then tells in years of friendship and his attempts to officially be called a human being ends up with them in love. As Andrew tells Portia, “I would rather die a man than live forever as a machine.”

Brussat said, “Director Chris Columbus brings the same tenderness to this android's 200-year quest to achieve full humanity as he did to the father's desire to spend more time with his children in the immensely popular Mrs. Doubtfire.” Andrew’s respectful relationship with Richard Martin, whom he calls “sir,” is one of mutual respect. As this father says to his daughters: “Though Andrew is technically a piece of property, he shall be treated as if he is a person.” Brussat is right when they said, “More of us need to adapt this wise and hospitable attitude toward the technology with which we live.”

Brussat mentioned, “Best of all, Andrew is a near-perfect example of the spiritual practice of kindness. His saying, "One is glad to be of service," is the mantra of anyone who is spiritually realized.” “Bicentennial Man” is a film to really take seriously.

This is an absolutely heartwarming movie that you should see. As one of Robin Williams’ dramatic performance, he really delivered like he always did. If you’re a fan of Robin Williams, you will love this movie a lot. Don’t miss your chance on seeing this because you will really feel emotional after seeing it, especially with how it ends.

Sorry for posting this late as I had family to be with for a good majority of the day. However, stay tuned next Friday for the next review in “Robot Month.”