Bicentennial Man Movie Review (1999)

A tender science-fiction drama about a household robot who begins to develop human emotions, Bicentennial Man is far sweeter and more profound than I expected.

Robin Williams had an incredible career in comedy, but his more serious roles are my favorites. As husband Chris Nielsen in What Dreams May Come, he tugged at our hearts, and as Mr. Keating in Dead Poets Society, he inspired something within us. I have always found it interesting how much he clearly improvised on all of his productions, but if you aren’t looking closely, you might not be sure. One telltale sign, though, is when he uses the word “chief” in Good Morning, Vietnam, Good Will Hunting, and this movie.

Bicentennial Man is about the robot “Andrew” who is given to the Martin family. Living by robot restrictions, he is intended for household chores, babysitting the two Martin children, and other daily tasks. But Andrew is curious, and, with father, Richard, guiding him, he takes an interest in the youngest child, Little Miss, and begins to learn more about the world, becoming a socialized being with talents.

I was only familiar with the cover of Bicentennial Man, and when it was released in 1999, I thought it was a children’s movie. That’s not to say I avoided it, but I never took a specific interest because other films kept jumping to the front of the line. It was recently recommended to me, and I figured it was time. After watching it, I see how wrong I was.

This is a lovely film with much more depth than I could have ever expected. Based on Isaac Asimov’s 1976 novelette, this movie explores questions of identity, morality, and romance.

At the beginning of Bicentennial Man, Andrew is a robot in the service of his masters. He has basic expectations and lives by various tenets, which include never harming his humans. But as he grows, Richard sees the potential that sets Andrew apart. No other robots from his line appear to have his curiosity or talents for making usable arts (like clocks or a token for Little Miss). Richard encourages his education, giving Andrew confidence and the ability to earn money.

There is a heartfelt, yet bittersweet tone to this movie. You see Andrew’s potential, too, but he is a robot. He has no rights, and, as much as he may grow socially, emotionally, and mentally, he is limited by the laws of the land.

This slow-burning film explores deep questions of what it means to be human. Robin Williams, who is used to working out of the box, is the perfect actor for Andrew. He is lovable, curious, and kind. He wants community and to understand why he is different from everyone else in the world. Or is he?

Bicentennial Man can be a film for children, but it is so much more than that. While it is a science fiction movie, it is really a fable about individuality, love, and acceptance. I’m so glad that I finally got around to watching it.

Runtime: 132 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: PG

Languages Spoken In The Film: English

Should You Watch It? Yes

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Available: Free on Tubi, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms