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Film reviews

Robot Dreams Review

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This is an animation film that is different than most would expect. It is a revelation of brilliance and wonders that soars truthfully and faithfully. Robot Dreams creates a sensation that thrives in all its empathetic and connecting directions as thoroughly as it can. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2023, and it has been nominated for Best Animated Feature in the upcoming Academy Awards. Director and writer Pablo Berger explores the creation of drama and heartfelt laughter through his narrative eyes with Robot Dreams. The film has no spoken dialogue, as the story follows the life of a dog and his robot.

Robot Dreams uses animation that is blended to a point of surrealism at its finest. Its setting is Manhattan, New York in the 1980s. The film focuses on a character who is labeled as Dog. Dog lives a solo-life in New York. He is lonely in his apartmentand has his introverted routine of watching TV and eating junk food. He occasionally strolls the streets of New York. His loneliness gets to him until a box shipment shows up to his house, and he builds a robot. That character is labeled as Robot. Robot comes alive, and Dog and Robot form a great friendship.They watch TV together, go on excursions, and jam to music. Life is truly one where Dog feels a deep sense of connection with his friend Robot.

The brilliance of Robot Dreams just comes from the inner emotions it stirs. With no written dialogue, the facial expressions of Dog and Robot tell the story. There are no humans in the story, yet the animals in it act as if they were humans. The animals are taxi drivers, security guards, and other normal people. It is a Manhattan, New York Zoo world of surreal imagination. There are many moments that will leave the audience curious about this unique friendship. Dog and Robot do face an instance of disconnect when Robot is stuck on a beach and Dog cannot save him. Therefore, Dog leaves Robot on the beach and assumes he can help get him fixed the next day. Sadly, the fence to the beach is closed, and Dog cannot get over to help him.

The separation moment of Dog and Robot is where the film starts to find its sad moments. This is where the animation hits the audience hard. Going forward though, this is a time whenboth Dog and Robot try to find their happiness solo, as they try to grasp life at their finest moments. There is hardship and sadness all through the film’s eerie approaches, yet it still delivers bits of joyfulness and connection. Robot Dreamsprovides a non-stop empathetic experience in a world of unique animation. It is a “unique animation” because its story is told exclusively through the animation and literary directions via technical aspects—the feelings in Robot Dreams are brought forth through the portrayal of the seasons in the animated version of Manhattan, New York in the 1980s.

Robot Dreams deserves to win in the Best Animated Feature because Berger knows how to dive into his mode of directing. His writing and his storytelling are of inspiring value. Robot Dreams made me laugh, cry, and feel a form of appreciation that was irresistible. Four stars for Robot Dreams.

Film reviews

Perfect Days Review

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The mind of director Wim Wenders is one where art is a development. He often focuses solely on people, places, or fascinations. One of the themes in his new film Perfect Days is that of loneliness and routine combined with mental structure. There is a feeling of appreciation that flows smoothly through the film’s faithful cinematography. Wenders is gifted in his ability to explore a character or a place to the smallest detail. In Perfect Days its sole focus is on one man who lives a very orderly life, and when he is out of that routine, his mind expands in directions of realizations and fascinations that are astoundingly well written.

Perfect Days takes place in Japan and introduces its audience to Hirayama (played by Koji Yakusho). Hirayama is a man of routine—he is quiet, structured, organized, and thrives creativity in his solo life. He works full-time as a janitor. Hirayama’s routine is multi-step, a vivid exploration by Wenders and his direction to create a portrait of a unique character. Most of the beginning is Hirayama working his shift as a janitor. Hirayama displays a look of annoyance, yet he continues to be persistent with his seemingly mundane job. The company he works for is called The Tokyo Toilet and it is a distasteful vocation to those around him. Despite the low-grade job, Hirayama is a pleasant man. He helps his colleague Takashi (played by Tokio Emoto) when he can, and he has a good heart. The film delivers the sense of reality in which Hirayama chooses to live a solo existence.

The beautiful and artistic value of this film lies is the moments of fascinating nature—Hirayama absorbs the outdoors and takes photographs. He enjoys breathing in what is on the outside. Perfect Days is a vast journey of one man trying to find the positives around him, despite his low social status. Hirayama is fascinated by plants and does projects with them. The scenery of Japan is Hirayama’s playground.

The film is a contemporary experience of an introvert living a life of highly structured activity. It encourages its audience to think positively. Hirayama has one main mode that lifts his spirits the most…cassette tapes of classics! In his work van he loves to listen to music by Lou Reed, Van Morrison, the Rolling Stones, and many more. The song “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed is played in the film and that song truly correlates to the life of Hirayama.

Even though the film keeps a strong focus on Hirayama it does explore another character, Hirayama’s niece, Niko. Hirayama has not seen Niko in years, and there are some family conflicts that are not explained. At first, viewers would expect Hirayama to be annoyed by Niko’s sudden arrival, but he is welcoming. This is a chance for Hirayama to share what he is passionate about in his search for happiness in the world. Whether it is books, music, or movies Hirayama always has something rewarding for someone. He does not see how nice he really is to those around him, but he is also not confrontational.

The theme of happiness within solitude is presented strongly in Perfect Days. There is that technological aspect of Wim Wenders that I recognized from his 1987 classic Wings of Desire—photography moments in black and white with fluorescent forms of movement. The true sensations of Wenders direction are seen through Hirayama’s eyes as he explores happiness and art in Perfect Days. This is an unforgettable experience, howeverthere may be a few moments of quietness and slight boredom. Regardless, its presentation is a masterpiece in the context of structure and pacing and moving aspects brilliant in their form. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Perfect Days.

Film reviews

Origin Review

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Origin is a deep film which is faithful to a true story. The film is about a meaningful journey in society with moving elements as well as an inspiring purpose. The cinematography in Origin delivers seriousness and the technical environment creates tension. Origin is about the writer Isabel Wilkerson played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Wilkerson is the author of the 2020 novel Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, a book that was published during the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement. Origin is the story of Wilkerson’s approach to her novel and various issues surrounding her research.

The film has a sense of tough love experienced while trying to find the right places. Origin begins with Isabel and her husband Brett (played by Jon Bernthal) and then transitions to Isabel being asked to write a piece about the Trayvon Martin case. Isabel is focused on doing research and writing the story. Herwords are her art and her voice. Many things happen in her life which cause her to feel depressed. Her husband and her mother die, and her sister Marion (played by Niecy Nash) is all she has left. The story that comes to her mind based on her research is how race and caste systems have evolved in society.

The film jumps to a narration of human divisions from prior eras when there were serious restrictions based on race. Origin is a portrait of how dynamics in society have changed over time. The inspiration for Isabel is the in-depth focus of her research and her prolific writing. Her mind boils with emotions as her goal is to write a thesis based upon her research on minorities, racism, and caste systems. Origin is a portrait of how reality has stressors that can be hard to tango with.

As Isabel begins to dive deep into her story, rising empathy grows throughout Origin. A moment of grief inspires change. A moment of loss causes a sad climax. Origin is an experience which demonstrates that life has meaning. The film’s writing and direction develop characters trying to fulfill what provides light in their lives. Isabel believes instead of soul-searching with one specific focus, she can expand her horizons. Isabel strives to connect the dots of racism and loss into a story that can inspire the world.

The mission of the film is to offer a refresher on past eras and how they have evolved. Origin reminds its audience that even though rules and systems for minorities have shifted, they still exist today. The presentation of Isabel and her research offers athought-provoking experience. The film’s honesty and sense of sadness flow throughout the story.

Racism in politics, countries, systems, and theories— all connect for a riveting story of truth in Origin. As part of her research, Isabel visits other countries, including Germany and India, to understand their political systems and their evolution over time. She finds herself in turmoil when she faces disagreement with her beliefs in other countries. Although there are “structural similarities,” each country has developed their own society in their own way which has led to different outcomes. Origin is a revelation of empathy and hope as it provides context which aids understanding. The film and Isabel’s story will touch many hearts. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Origin.