"Bicentennial Man": actors, overview

The film project, created on the basis of the material proposed by the two pillars of American science fiction, more precisely the creative symbiosis of Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg, resulted in the creation of this film, which critics assessed very ambiguously. Someone sang in praise dithyrambs, and someone attacked. Consider in this review the film "Bicentennial Man" (1999). Actors involved in the project, worked well under the guidance of the director Chris Columbus. As a result, a very good film was produced, some considered to be the best in the history of cinematography devoted to robots.

Prehistory

In 1976, a short novel by Isaac Asimov was published . The title "Bicentennial Man" aroused the beaten dreams of immortality, but the book turned out to be a robot, dreaming of becoming a man. The work excited the readership, as, indeed, literary criticism. Fans of the writer's talent vied with each other in praise of Azimov's new work. Critics have prophesied life in the ages. The tale collected a good harvest of awards in the sci-fi league of the writer's cuisine. This, of course, "Hugo" and "Nebula" in the appropriate category. The author himself highly assessed this work, considering it one of the best in his writing career.

The problems touched upon in the story inspired Asimov and Silverberg to return to it together. So the novel "Positron Man" appeared, which inspired the project of the film, about which we will speak. The screen version of the film was written by Nicholas Kazan, not much caressed by the Hollywood laurels, but worthily working on the creation of film production.

Production of the painting "Bicentennial Man"

Actors and roles in the film are well balanced thanks to the skilful approach of the already mentioned Chris Columbus. By the way, at the time of filming he was already a rather famous director thanks to the comedies about the boy who stayed home for Christmas without his parents. Speech, of course, about the paintings "One at home", the first and second parts. Thus, for Columbus the film became a kind of experiment. Since before that he was shooting mostly family comedies. There is also a clear philosophical overtones, even with a claim to thinking about the meaning of human existence.

As for the musical accompaniment, we should mention here the almost permanent composer of the Hollywood mainstream of the last several decades - James Horner. Behind him, as we know, is the attraction to choral elements with the connection of Celtic motifs. The "Bicentennial Man" was no exception.

Actors

In the title role, a remarkable actor, already not unknown at the time, starred Robin Williams - a man who played for his difficult career in almost 100 films, the owner of the Oscar for a second plan in a no less classy project called "Clever Will Hunting." It is believed that the roles themselves often find their actors. This is how you can say about Robin. His kind, but at the same time long-suffering person could not be more appropriate to most of his movie types. Many of the characters he played have experienced a huge number of experiences and losses. At the same time, the trailer of the comedian was stubbornly following the actor, since he was also a stand-comic by the way. Robin Williams plays a robot, decided to become a man. He, in general, is the same two hundred years old man.

The actors who played the other roles are also worthy of mention. So, the second charismatic character got to Sam Nill. He plays the father of the family who bought the robot. It was the character Nill, according to the idea, who nurtured this desire to become a person. It is he who protects a vulnerable robot from the desire of his daughter to use it only as a toy. It is the father who inspires us with the idea that he is not just a piece of metal, but something more.

Finally, another character is important from the point of view of plot formation. This is one of the daughters in the family who adopted the robot. She was played by Embeth Davydz. And although the name is not on hearing, however, in addition to a good track record, in the baggage of this wonderful actress is a great talent that has allowed to create a truly integral character. And it is in the course of a saga two centuries long, the daughter of the family Amanda plays first, and then, after many years in chronology, and her granddaughter. And in both roles she is very good. Like the whole film "Bicentennial Man", the actors of which are worthy of the created history.

Overview

For those who did not watch, the plot outline is already collected from small strokes. Everyone does not like spoilers. Let's not abuse the feelings of readers. The essence is simple, like much, created by the classics of science fiction. The film about the robot, which for many years of its existence, having received feelings, having experienced the pain of loss, decides to become a man himself. A task worthy not so much of a science fiction book as a philosophical treatise. Such is the outline of the "Bicentennial Man." Actors and roles are also very well chosen.

Responses

The audience's sympathies were divided. Some critics really liked the project itself, and Williams' work in the difficult role of the robot. Others were dissatisfied with the adaptation, for example, the Pulitzer laureate - Roger Ebert, leveled it with asphalt. "Tomatoes" gave only 4.8 points out of 10. However, the most important indicator of the spectator interest - rolling money, speak for themselves. The film has not even collected a hundred million dollars in the project. Nevertheless, the actors of the film "The Bicentennial Man" created a very worthy action, which every fan of real science fiction should see from Isaac Azimov.

Conclusion

Looking at the cinema through the prism of more than 15 years that have passed since the film adaptation, given the sudden death in the recent past of Robin Williams, I do not want to talk about the weaknesses of implementation. People who did not see the picture should note for themselves the film "The Bicentennial Man", the actors and the review of which were briefly considered in the article.