NZIFF Film Review: "Robot Dreams" (2023).

From the director of Blancanieves comes Robot Dreams. This Spanish-French animated tragicomedy film adapted and directed by Pablo Berger, and based on the comic of the same title by Sara Varon. Dog lives in Manhattan and he’s tired of being alone. One day he decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of 80’s NYC. One summer night, Dog, with great sadness, is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. Will they ever meet again?

By mid June 2021, Ivan Labanda, Esther Solans, Tito Trifol, José García Tos, Graciela Molina, Rafa Calvo, and José Mediavilla were cast in a Spanish-French animated tragicomedy film adaptation of Varon's comic of the same title to be directed by Berger. At the same time, the animation process began in Madrid, Spain and then moved to the Iruñea studios.

The film stars the voice talents of Labanda, Solans, Trifol, Tos, Molina, Calvo, and Mediavilla. The beauty of this adaptation of Varon's characters is its sheer simplicity and sincerity, partly thanks to the performances.

The film is a fun-filled and heartfelt animated feature that presents one of the best examples of how to turn a graphic novel into a film adaptation. The film is pure sweetness, with a visual motif that makes it feel like someone just finished sketching it in front of you. Their decision to use comic book techniques, in-keeping with the original illustrations, produces a warm and loving adaptation which appeals to the value of faithful cinematography. Watching this film is like reading the graphic novel. It's charming and beautiful with a touching and simple message. This is the absolute perfect film for a family outing. A curious blend of charm and tooth-obsessed strangeness, with a wholesome message about friendship that's somewhat tainted by the characters' Toy Story antics, but illustrated in a gentle style with wonderfully subtle-yet-vibrant music. A welcomed alternative to chaotic kid-centric blockbusters, channelling the spirit of humble animated greats My Neighbour Totoro and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Encompassing the powerful elements of honesty, truth, and acceptance, Berger's screenplay, once again, fixates on the small details that bring our story full circle and unimaginably to life. Beautiful Spanish-French animated film; the storybook simplicity of the comic book animation has an allure and clarity that reinforces how new technology does not render traditional forms of animation inferior or obsolete. The film will bewitch children and grown-ups alike, a none-too-soon respite from the typically louder, busier animated features Hollywood tends to produce. Its simple themes of friendship and looking at someone more than skin-deep provide a strong backbone for a story that is entertaining and heartwarming at the same time, making this a rare animated treat that is more than just goofy fun. It glows with a childlike innocence but never grinds into the sticky-slapstick sentiment that marks so much of today's coldly calculated animated family offerings. The film's main message is that friendship knows no bounds and that once one sees behind preconceived notions, a new world of possibilities can bloom.

Simon says Robot Dreams receives:

Also, see my NZIFF review for Perfect Days.