Robot & Frank

Set in the near future, this sly, fanciful story revolves around Frank Weld (Frank Langella), an irascible retired jewel thief, divorced and living alone in rural Cold Spring, NY. Frank's house is a slovenly mess and his memory is obviously failing, which greatly concerns his grown children: exasperated Hunter (James Marsden) and peripatetic Madison (Liv Tyler), with whom he communicates via Skype. Since Frank is adamant about not moving to a “memory facility,” Hunter arrives one day with an electronic caregiver. This expensive robot (voiced pitch-perfectly by Peter Sarsgaard) is programmed to monitor Frank's daily activities in order to stimulate his mind and body, while also making and serving him healthy, nourishing meals. Frank initially balks, but soon the cheerful robot is accompanying him everywhere, even to his favorite haunt: the local library. Here, kindly librarian Jennifer (Susan Sarandon) regretfully informs him that all books are being removed to make way for the “digital experience.” But locked in a safe, she's stashed a rare, valuable copy of Don Quixote. Making plans to steal the book, Frank discovers—to his surprise and delight—that given proper instruction the robot learns how to pick locks quickly and, best of all, has no conscience. For the first time in his life, Frank has an accomplice, as one successful heist leads to another. Director Jake Schreier establishes a lighthearted, believable bond between man and machine, while Langella delivers a tour de force performance (his character not only has real memory lapses but can also feign them). Combining pathos with humor, Robot & Frank leaves a bittersweet afterglow. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Jake Schreier and writer Christopher Ford, a poster campaign gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an engaging film.] (S. Granger)