Overview
Dog lives in Manhattan and he's tired of being alone. One day he decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of '80s NYC. One summer night, Dog, with great sadness, is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. Will they ever meet again?
Based on the 2007 comic of the same name, Robot Dreams is an animated movie written and directed by Pablo Berger which is a look at friendship and loss without the use of dialogue.
Set in Manhattan in 1984, Dog lives alone and feels lonely and isolated, whilst others around him appear to have companionship in friends and partners. When he sees an advert on TV for a robot friend that you can build, he immediately orders one. Once built, he and Robot do everything together, and Dog feels like he finally has joy and purpose in his life. However, at the end of summer, the pair are at the beach and at the end of the day find that exposure to water of the sea has rusted Robot in place. Dog reluctantly heads home for the night, aiming to return the next day to help his friend, only to find the beach closed for the season, and him unable to get to his friend, and being arrested as he tries to break in. Robot, stuck in place on the beach, must spend the months alone, with only his dreams to give him hope of returning to his friend.
This is superb visual storytelling, which all ages can explore and enjoy. Telling a tale that is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once, the journey of Dog and Robot is a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, and a wonderful exploration of the meaning of friendship, and the evolution of a relationship over time. The joy of finding a new friend to share you pastimes with, we all had that one friend that we were inseparable from, who as time wore on we grew distant with, and maybe still wonder about reconnecting with, only we are too nervous to take that first step. This film speaks to that part of us through wonderfully simple yet detailed animation, no dialogue, and music – especially September by Earth Wind and Fire.
This film connected with me on a soulful level, much like how Marcel The Shell did last year, and it spoke to me in a language I could understand. I was initially charmed, then completely absorbed, before becoming blubbery eyed, whilst still finding some hilarity in the more comical moments. By the end of the film I felt like reaching out to old friends I’ve left behind, only to worry whether I have left it too late, so instead put on a song that we both used to love and remembered the good times we shared.
Absolutely recommended.