What’s It About
In 1980s New York City, Dog assembles Robot as a companion, and they become best buddies. On a Labour Day outing to Coney Island, Robot’s metal parts rust, and he can’t move.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
“Robot Dreams” is a delightful fable about partnership and imagination, brought to life through animated cinema in a way no other medium could achieve. Without dialogue, the director crafts a lyrical film that explores relatable emotions and transports viewers to a world where robots dream of more than electric sheep. Although the film sometimes feels insubstantial for a feature-length runtime, its creativity consistently re-engages the audience. Animation has long conveyed the power of dreams uniquely, and Berger’s film continues this legacy, free from traditional storytelling constraints. Set against the backdrop of 1984 New York, the story follows Dog, a charming character with kind eyes and a sideways smile, as he seeks to alleviate his loneliness in a city where everyone seems to have a partner. He impulsively buys a build-it-yourself buddy, the Amica 2000, explicitly designed for friendship. Dog and Robot quickly become best friends, exploring Manhattan and dancing to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September,” a fitting theme for a film about lost friendship and a bygone era. Contrary to trailer expectations, Dog and Robot spend most of the film apart. At the end of the summer, Dog takes Robot to the beach, but Robot rusts in the water, forcing Dog to leave him behind. Locked gates prevent Dog from retrieving Robot, who remains on the beach, dreaming. Dog continues his life, but the film explores the strong, severed connection and how it shapes their imaginations. Robot’s isolation on a Coney Island beach, with only a bright orange towel and coastal wildlife, highlights his feelings of abandonment, jealousy, and betrayal. Meanwhile, Dog seeks new friendships, adding to the audience’s empathy for Robot. This reflects the film’s realistic element: life goes on. The movie embraces dream logic, with scenes reminiscent of “Tootsie,” “Psycho,” and “The Big Lebowski,” and birds nesting in Robot’s body. Dog and Robot’s love for “The Wizard of Oz” adds another layer to their bond. “Robot Dreams” profoundly and relatably explores loneliness in a bustling city, the highs of feeling included, and the lows of feeling forgotten. Dog’s solo life is mirrored by his reflection on the TV screen and the happy couples he sees everywhere. Despite its New York setting, the film’s dialogue-free nature makes its themes universal. Alfonso de Vilallonga’s empathetic score and superb foley effects enhance the film’s emotional depth, functioning like a silent movie. Ultimately, “Robot Dreams” is well-deserved praise for The City That Never Sleeps, the power of unlikely friendships, and the real feelings of loss and loneliness, leaving a lasting impact without a single spoken sentence.
OUR RATING – AN EMOTION-DRIVEN 9
MEDIA
- Genre – Family
- Street date
- Digital – September 10, 2024
- 4K/Blu-Ray/DVD – October 8, 2024
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size – 1.85:1
- Sound – English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles –English SDH
Extras
- Pablo Berger Interview
- From Reality to Animation
- A Once-In-A-Lifetime Friendship
- The Sounds of 1980s New York
- The Art Direction
- The Animation
- Soundtrack
- A Love Letter to New York
- A Film Without Words
- Teaser
- Trailer