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Sci Fi Focus > Encyclopedia > Isaac Asimov > The Bicentennial Man
Our Rating: 3 out of 5
In a nutshell:
Unusual emotional science fiction, based on Isaac Asimov's book of the same name.. Possibly Robin Williams's best film.
Plot Synopsis (may include spoilers):
A household Robot longs to be human.
Best Bits:
Worst Bits:
- Too much sentimentality in parts
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The Bicentennial Man
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 | Directed by Chris Columbus Featuring Robin Williams, Sam Neill & Kiersten Warren DVD Amazon.com: Bicentennial Man was stung at the 1999 box office, due no doubt in part to poor timing during a backlash against Robin Williams and his treacly performances in two other, then-recent releases, Jakob the Liar and Patch Adams. But this near-approximation of a science fiction epic, based on works by Isaac Asimov and directed, with uncharacteristic seriousness of purpose, by Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire), is much better than one would have known from the knee-jerk negativity and box-office indifference. Williams plays Andrew, a robot programmed for domestic chores and sold to an upper-middle-class family, the Martins, in the year 2005. The family patriarch (Sam Neill) recognizes and encourages Andrew's uncommon characteristics, particularly his artistic streak, sensitivity to beauty, humor, and independence of spirit. In so doing, he sets Williams's tin man on a two-century journey to become more human than most human beings. As adapted by screenwriter Nicholas Kazan, the movie's scale is novelistic, though Columbus isn't the man to embrace with Spielbergian confidence its sweeping possibilities. Instead, the Home Alone director shakes off his familiar tendencies to pander and matures, finally, as a captivating storyteller. But what really makes this film matter is its undercurrent of deep yearning, the passion of Andrew as a convert to the human race and his willingness to sacrifice all to give and take love. Williams rises to an atypical challenge here as a futuristic Everyman, relying, perhaps for the first time, on his considerable iconic value to make the point that becoming human means becoming more like Robin Williams. Nothing wrong with that. --Tom Keogh |
 | Featuring Robin Williams, Sam Neill & Kiersten Warren Buena Vista Home Video Released: 2000-06-13 DVD Description: From the acclaimed director of MRS. DOUBTFIRE, Academy Award(R)-winner Robin Williams (1997, Best Actor, GOOD WILL HUNTING) stars in a delightfully heartwarming comedy about one extraordinary android who just wants to be an ordinary guy! It doesn't take long for the Martin family to realize Andrew (Williams), who was purchased as a mere "household appliance," is no run-of-the-mill robot! Funny, incredibly lifelike, and possessing an astounding level of creativity, this special machine soon takes on a life of his own -- and eventually begins a centuries-long quest to achieve true humanity! A crowd-pleasing comedy hit -- everyone is sure to love this touchingly entertaining movie treat! List Price: $14.99* Lowest New Price: $6.06* Lowest Used Price: $2.47* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 03:40 Pacific 4 Sep 2010 More Info) Buy It Now |
| | Directed by Chris Columbus Featuring Robin Williams, Sam Neill & Kiersten Warren DVD Amazon.com: Bicentennial Man was stung at the 1999 box office, due no doubt in part to poor timing during a backlash against Robin Williams and his treacly performances in two other, then-recent releases, Jakob the Liar and Patch Adams. But this near-approximation of a science fiction epic, based on works by Isaac Asimov and directed, with uncharacteristic seriousness of purpose, by Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire), is much better than one would have known from the knee-jerk negativity and box-office indifference. Williams plays Andrew, a robot programmed for domestic chores and sold to an upper-middle-class family, the Martins, in the year 2005. The family patriarch (Sam Neill) recognizes and encourages Andrew's uncommon characteristics, particularly his artistic streak, sensitivity to beauty, humor, and independence of spirit. In so doing, he sets Williams's tin man on a two-century journey to become more human than most human beings. As adapted by screenwriter Nicholas Kazan, the movie's scale is novelistic, though Columbus isn't the man to embrace with Spielbergian confidence its sweeping possibilities. Instead, the Home Alone director shakes off his familiar tendencies to pander and matures, finally, as a captivating storyteller. But what really makes this film matter is its undercurrent of deep yearning, the passion of Andrew as a convert to the human race and his willingness to sacrifice all to give and take love. Williams rises to an atypical challenge here as a futuristic Everyman, relying, perhaps for the first time, on his considerable iconic value to make the point that becoming human means becoming more like Robin Williams. Nothing wrong with that. --Tom Keogh |
![Bicentennial Man [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/416CQATK0KL._SL160_.jpg) | Directed by Chris Columbus Featuring Robin Williams, Sam Neill & Kiersten Warren Walt Disney Video Released: 2000-11-07 VHS Tape Amazon.com: Bicentennial Man was stung at the 1999 box office, due no doubt in part to poor timing during a backlash against Robin Williams and his treacly performances in two other, then-recent releases, Jakob the Liar and Patch Adams. But this near-approximation of a science fiction epic, based on works by Isaac Asimov and directed, with uncharacteristic seriousness of purpose, by Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire), is much better than one would have known from the knee-jerk negativity and box-office indifference. Williams plays Andrew, a robot programmed for domestic chores and sold to an upper-middle-class family, the Martins, in the year 2005. The family patriarch (Sam Neill) recognizes and encourages Andrew's uncommon characteristics, particularly his artistic streak, sensitivity to beauty, humor, and independence of spirit. In so doing, he sets Williams's tin man on a two-century journey to become more human than most human beings. As adapted by screenwriter Nicholas Kazan, the movie's scale is novelistic, though Columbus isn't the man to embrace with Spielbergian confidence its sweeping possibilities. Instead, the Home Alone director shakes off his familiar tendencies to pander and matures, finally, as a captivating storyteller. But what really makes this film matter is its undercurrent of deep yearning, the passion of Andrew as a convert to the human race and his willingness to sacrifice all to give and take love. Williams rises to an atypical challenge here as a futuristic Everyman, relying, perhaps for the first time, on his considerable iconic value to make the point that becoming human means becoming more like Robin Williams. Nothing wrong with that. --Tom Keogh |
![Bicentennial Man [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5136M7B351L._SL160_.jpg) | Directed by Chris Columbus Featuring Robin Williams, Sam Neill & Kiersten Warren VHS Tape Amazon.com: Bicentennial Man was stung at the 1999 box office, due no doubt in part to poor timing during a backlash against Robin Williams and his treacly performances in two other, then-recent releases, Jakob the Liar and Patch Adams. But this near-approximation of a science fiction epic, based on works by Isaac Asimov and directed, with uncharacteristic seriousness of purpose, by Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire), is much better than one would have known from the knee-jerk negativity and box-office indifference. Williams plays Andrew, a robot programmed for domestic chores and sold to an upper-middle-class family, the Martins, in the year 2005. The family patriarch (Sam Neill) recognizes and encourages Andrew's uncommon characteristics, particularly his artistic streak, sensitivity to beauty, humor, and independence of spirit. In so doing, he sets Williams's tin man on a two-century journey to become more human than most human beings. As adapted by screenwriter Nicholas Kazan, the movie's scale is novelistic, though Columbus isn't the man to embrace with Spielbergian confidence its sweeping possibilities. Instead, the Home Alone director shakes off his familiar tendencies to pander and matures, finally, as a captivating storyteller. But what really makes this film matter is its undercurrent of deep yearning, the passion of Andrew as a convert to the human race and his willingness to sacrifice all to give and take love. Williams rises to an atypical challenge here as a futuristic Everyman, relying, perhaps for the first time, on his considerable iconic value to make the point that becoming human means becoming more like Robin Williams. Nothing wrong with that. --Tom Keogh |
 | By Isaac Asimov Gollancz Mass Market Paperback (211 pages) Product Description: This classic collection includes the title story, acclaimed as Asimov's single finest Robot tale, and now made into a Hollywood movie starring Robin Williams. Each of the eleven stories here sparkle with characteristic Asimov inventiveness and imagination. List Price: $12.40* Lowest Used Price: $9.79* *(As of 03:40 Pacific 4 Sep 2010 More Info) Buy It Now |
| | By Isaac Asimov Doubleday Hardcover (211 pages) Product Description: This classic collection includes the title story, acclaimed as Asimov's single finest Robot tale, and now made into a Hollywood movie starring Robin Williams. Each of the eleven stories here sparkle with characteristic Asimov inventiveness and imagination. List Price: $9.95* Lowest New Price: $56.58* Lowest Used Price: $0.60* *(As of 03:40 Pacific 4 Sep 2010 More Info) Buy It Now |
| | By Isaac Asimov Fawcett Released: 1981-07-12 Mass Market Paperback (222 pages) Product Description: This classic collection includes the title story, acclaimed as Asimov's single finest Robot tale, and now made into a Hollywood movie starring Robin Williams. Each of the eleven stories here sparkle with characteristic Asimov inventiveness and imagination. List Price: $2.25* Lowest Used Price: $0.93* *(As of 03:40 Pacific 4 Sep 2010 More Info) Buy It Now |
 | Sony Released: 1999-12-21 Audio CD Amazon.com: Even the greatest names in film scoring have occasionally face a dilemma not so different from making a good Thanksgiving dinner: how to stuff a turkey. And not even noted scenery carnivore Robin Williams (playing a household robot who gradually becomes human) could mug his way out of this syrupy Chris Columbus-directed reworking of Pinocchio. Modern maestro James Horner dishes up a serviceable, twinkly score full of swelling strings and quietly "magical" passages; Spielberg-Williams Lite--not to mention a decade or so late. The James Horner-Will Jennings-Celine Dion team responsible for Titanic's "My Heart Will Go On" (and on and on and on) returns here with the decidedly tacked-on "Then You Look at Me." Dion retired immediately thereafter--'nuff said. --Jerry McCulley List Price: $8.99* Lowest New Price: $6.05* Lowest Used Price: $4.38* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 03:40 Pacific 4 Sep 2010 More Info) Buy It Now |
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