Robot Dreams

Dir: Pablo Berger

80 mins · 2023 · Spain, France · Cert U · English · Subtitled

Robot Dreams is a love letter to New York, to past and present friendship, and the power of storytelling. The film follows Dog, a character whose solitary life is punctuated by the mundane repetition of eating ready-meal mac and cheese – until he builds himself a friend, Robot. Despite the absence of spoken words, a deep emotional connection is swiftly forged between the audience and the characters, leaving us to ponder the nature of Dog's relationship with Robot. Are they simply companions, or is there a deeper bond at play?

The film encourages us to think about the power of companionship and the extreme lengths we go to for those closest to us. Robot Dreams does not include any dialogue, yet great animation techniques accurately depict the raw emotions exhibited by Dog and Robot throughout the film. The filmmaker is making a bittersweet point about how even the closest bonds can be weathered away by circumstance or the passage of time. Robot Dreams is not just a cartoon about a Dog and a Robot: it's a meditation on the human condition, a beautifully rendered illustration of the complexities of friendship and the impermanence of life's moments.

The story is set in 1980s New York and explores important themes around friendship, loneliness, happiness, and technology. The film features a vibrant and colorful animation style, with a memorable soundtrack that includes the song 'September' by Earth, Wind & Fire. The movie received a well-deserved Oscar nomination and is highly recommended for a family day out.