ROBOT DREAMS

(director/writer: Pablo Berger; screenwriter: Sara Varon; animators: Jose Luis Agreda, Benoit Feroumont, Daniel Fernandez Casas; editor: Fernando Franco; music: Yuko Harami; Runtime: 142; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Ibon Cormenzana, Jerome Vidal, Sandra Tapla, Ignasi Estape, Angel Durandez; Neon; 2023-Spain/France-no dialogue)

“A simple but bittersweet film that’s charming, amusing, and easy on the eyes.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

It’s loosely based on a 2007 graphic children story by Sara Varon. Spanish director and writer Pablo Berger (“Abracadabra”/”Blancanieves”) films it in animation without dialogue, as his first animation film. It’s a pleasant and playful venture suited for both adults and children. The hand-drawn animation was beautifully done in the Madrid and Pamplona studios.

It’s set in NYC, in the 1980s, as a homage to the city where Berger works. The city is populated only by anthropomorphic animals. The lonely dog that’s featured is named Dog, who lives in a Manhattan high-rise old building on one of the top floors, and leads an empty existence– watching TV at night by himself. One day Dog watches a commercial for a home robot and orders it through the mail hoping it will keep him company. Dog then takes his only friend, who he names Robot, to touristy city places like the East Village, Central Park and Coney Island.

During a beach visit at the close of the summer season, the friends become separated due to odd circumstances and their friendship becomes tested to see if they will ever be together again.

It’s a simple but bittersweet film that’s charming, amusing, and easy on the eyes. Pop songs from the ’80s play in the background, and its dream sequences put some mustard on the hot dog. 

 
REVIEWED ON 7/14/2024  GRADE: B
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