ROBOT DREAMS (2023) review

written by: Pablo Berger
produced by: Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé, Sandra Tapia Díaz, Jérôme Vidal & Pablo Berger
directed by: Pablo Berger
rated: not rated
runtime: 102 min.
U.S. release date: May 31, 2024

Telling a story without words is as old as time and is often more powerful and expressive than we’re typically used to. From cave wall drawings to comic strips, sequential art has always allowed the viewer to fill in the lines and create our own voices for the characters we see. Such is the case with silent films, and in the animated feature “Robot Dreams”, writer/director Pablo Berger (“Blancanieves,” “Abracadabra”) has taken a dialogue-free approach to a wonderful story about loneliness and how powerful friendship can be. It’s unique in exploring those two potent experiences, reminding us that life comes with laughs and tears, told in an effortlessly engaging manner with superb animation.

With dialogue eliminated, Berger relies on colorful visuals and natural sounds as he adapts a 2007 graphic novel from writer/illustrator Sara Varon. Viewers are invited to lean in a little closer and pay more attention to the intricate details of the environment and the story being told. It’s not a silent film, mind you, as we do hear the bustling sounds of life in New York City circa the early 1980s, but it is asking us to utilize a different set of comprehension skills. Clearly, this Oscar-nominated animated feature is offering something new and different.

When we meet Dog, he slumps on the couch, playing “Pong” alone in his NYC apartment. The daily routines of his life have become a slog with a diet consisting of microwave meals, Cheetos, and cans of Tab. One day, he sees a commercial for Amica 2000, a robot line advertised as a mechanical companion. Robot is mailed to Dog in no time, and the canine begins assembling his new best friend excitedly. Once turned on, the bulky Robot, with his strong, noodle-like appendages, embraces life with eagerness and awe. Robot and Dog become inseparable, enjoying summer in the city, which involves rowing a boat in the park and sharing their love for Earth, Wind & Fire’s song, “September.”

After a long, hot day at Ocean Beach together, where Robot experiences water for the first time, their relationship is irrevocably changed. Robot’s joints inevitably rust, leaving the poor thing immovable. Without knowing what is happening to his friend, the dog panics and leaves, hoping to get help or find a way to rescue his pal from the sand. But days, weeks, and months pass, finding Dog dismayed and distracted while Robot remains motionless (from his neck down, at least) in the sand.

At this point in the story, the feature’s title comes into play, turning this light-hearted comedy into something of a tragedy, albeit one with a healthy dose of creativity. As Robot lies on the beach, we see it encounter other creatures, but most of all, Berger invites us to experience the internal fantasies that reunite Robot with Dog. While Robot’s dreams are hopeful, Dog is mostly haunted by unsettling nightmares about his lost companion. Dog also meets a new friend in Duck, but alas, that is short-lived. An argument could be made that Dog didn’t make every effort to reclaim Robot but like many of us and our best intentions…life gets in the way (plus, all dogs have ADHD).

Berger’s screenplay expectedly deviates slightly from the source material. Like the book, the animated feature is still without dialogue (although actor Ivan Labanda provides sounds for both Robot and Dog), which allows Berger to focus on meticulous details of life in the Big Apple with a wonderfully infectious score from composer Alfonso de Vilallonga. But the filmmaker adds his own touch to the characters and locations on display. Pay close attention; you’ll see references to Star Wars, Forbidden Planet, Mazinger Z, Pink Floyd, and an obvious nod to “The Wizard of Oz”. All these contributions bring out the details and habits of the anthropomorphic animals residing in this iteration of NYC. “Robot Dreams” warrants multiple viewings to catch all the distinctive and quirky behaviors of the many ancillary characters that inhabit the feature.

“Robot Dreams” should not be dismissed as a “cartoon” or something entirely for viewers of a certain age. This is a timeless, relatable story about loneliness, friendship, and the unexpected connections possible in life. Berger approaches these themes with a realistic understanding of relationships’ precarious evolution, ranging from joys to bittersweetness. Throughout the feature’s runtime, Berger offers an engaging and delightfully odd viewing experience, which is bound to impress and resonate with its audience.

RATING: ***1/2