Since 2003, Sundance awards the Alfred P. Sloan Prize to a feature with “science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer, or mathematician as a major character.” 2011 saw the slow but intriguing Another Earth win, and this year it went to Robot And Frank, a near-future tale about a cranky ex-jewel thief reluctantly warming to his caretaker robot. Watch this clip:
Robot And Frank has been praised for its bitter sweet look at Alzheimers and for its deeper than usual treatment of how technology can affect us. The robot suit may not be the best I’ve ever seen, but the cast looks great. Frank Langella (Oscar nominated as Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon) stars alongside Liv Tyler, James Marsden (Cyclops from X-Men) and Susan Sarandon. The robot is voiced by Peter Sarsgaard.
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisition has picked up the flick for theatrical release, and in theory, that includes Australia. However, it looks like you’ll be able to catch it on MUBI first.