Prepare for your heart to be completely and utterly broken after watching this beautiful animated story of friendship that is aimed at both adults and children.
It’s the dialogue-free tale of Dog, who lives alone in a 1980s Manhattan populated by animals. One day he sees an advert for a robot friend and orders it, and when it arrives he builds Robot and takes his new pal on a tour of Manhattan. The pair spend the summer together, but that is just the start of their story (which is too lovely to reveal here) as circumstances lead to them being parted as autumn arrives and the pair each fantasise as they wait to be reunited.
Filled with memorable moments – grown-up music fans will especially adore the scene in which the duo roller skate in Central Park to Earth, Wind & Fire’s classic ‘September’ while everyone will laugh during the superb bowling scene – this is a movie about connections, relationships and how important they are. It’s been described as an animated Past Lives, but it’s even lovelier than that, a precious gem of a movie that will have you thinking about it long after you leave the cinema.
Is Robot Dreams suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
There are some moments that may upset young viewers, such as Robot being left on the beach for months because his metal joints have stiffened in the ocean, and him and Dog being parted. Younger viewers may also be upset when Robot has his leg broken off while stranded on the beach.
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