Bicentennial Man

1999 Fantasy

If a robot spends enough time around humans, can he learn to become one of them? The Martin family purchases a domestic android as a servant and names him Andrew (Robin Williams). Andrew comes to know the man of the house as Sir (Sam Neill), his wife as Ma'am Wendy Crewson, and their daughter as Portia (Embeth Davidtz); before long, the Martins suspect that they do not have an ordinary robot on their hands. Andrew seems capable of expressing emotion and generating original thoughts, and the longer he stays with the Martins, the more strongly these human traits manifest themselves. Over the next 200 years, Andrew becomes less a machine and more a member of the family, until a mechanic (Oliver Platt) tells Andrew that he might be able to turn him into a human being. Based on a short story by renowned science fiction author Isaac Asimov (surprisingly, it's only the second Asimov story to be brought to the screen), Bicentennial Man was directed by Chris Columbus, who previously worked with Robin Williams on Mrs. Doubtfire. more..

Director: Chris Columbus

Starring: Robin Williams, Sam Neill, Embeth Davidtz, Oliver Platt, Lynne Thigpen

Reviews

  • Few actors apart from Williams could bring it off.

    Jay Carr - The Boston Globe

    29 November 2012

  • A mainstream holiday movie, complete with stupendous special effects, amazing make-up artistry and sumptuous production design.

    Kevin Thomas - Los Angeles Times

    29 November 2012

  • Except for Williams, the sitcom-meets-sci-fi acting throughout the movie is strictly of television caliber.

    Stephen Holden - The New York Times

    29 November 2012

  • Begins with promise, proceeds in fits and starts, and finally sinks into a cornball drone of greeting-card sentiment.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    29 November 2012

  • Has a certain slow, mechanical quality.

    Peter Stack - The San Francisco Chronicle

    29 November 2012

Awards

  • Best Makeup

    Academy Awards (2000)

     
  • Favorite Actor - Comedy

    Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2000)

     
  • Best Special Effects Makeup - Feature

    Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards (2000)

  • Favorite Movie Actor

    Kids' Choice Awards (2000)

     
  • Worst Actor

    Razzie Awards (2000)