"Robot Dreams" by Pablo Berger is a delightful parable centered around partnership and creativity. Using the animated film medium to its fullest potential, Berger, the director who brought us "Blancanieves", creates a world where speaking isn't necessary but emotions are conveyed successfully. Set in a time when robots have aspirations beyond the realm of physical existence, the film may appear thin in plot, but the creativity and imagination imbued in it keep audiences hooked.
The focus of the film is on two protagonists, amid a strikingly vibrant backdrop of New York City circa 1984. The city itself plays a crucial role and appears as a third character in the movie. The film presents New York as a constantly buzzing, lively place, with its iconic sights and colorful inhabitants adding to its charm.
The story revolves around an endearing character known as 'Dog', who resides in this ceaselessly moving city. Dog's quest to find companionship leads to the arrival of 'Robot' into his life. Their time spent together is quite engaging - exploring the city and swaying to the tune of Earth, Wind & Fire's "September", a nod to the theme of lost friendships and a bygone era.
The plot thickens when Dog abandons the now-rusted Robot on a beach, which results in Robot getting stuck there for months, dreaming away. Meanwhile, Dog continues his life, dreaming about their once strong bond that has now been severed. The story might sound whimsical but it’s reminiscent of “Past Lives” and “Zootopia.”
Berger’s creativity shines through the relatively rule-free landscape of his animated film. He dares to challenge conventional storytelling - an ice figure who bowls with his head or birds settled in Robot’s hull, chirping "Danny Boy", nothing is off-limits here. The film is also peppered with references like a dance sequence inspired by Busby Berkeley set along the Yellow Brick Road, hinting at Dog and Robot's shared love for “The Wizard of Oz."
While "Robot Dreams" has moments that felt stretched, overall it portrays a touching, kind, and warm tale that's hard to dislike. It challenges the viewer to recall the connections that have shaped their own lives, the fleeting ones that surface in our thoughts and dreams, the ones that need no words.
A film adaptation of Sara Varon's comic, "Robot Dreams" demonstrates the immense scope of storytelling in animation. Despite its faults, it remains an engaging representation of love, loss, and imagination.
