Looking at the nominations for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards, we are going through an exciting time when it comes to animation. While the likes of Disney and Pixar are still going forward with 3D animation – with Elemental being amongst the nominations – there are also films that either go back to traditional hand-drawn cartooning like The Boy and the Heron or have pushed the medium to experimental territory like Nimona and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Although Hayao Miyazaki’s first film in a decade became the victor in that category of the Oscars, Robot Dreams is another stunning piece of 2D craft that derives all your attention.
Based on the 2007 comic of the same name by American graphic novelist Sara Varon, Robot Dreams is a Spanish-French co-production, written and directed by Pablo Berger, who makes his debut in animation after a number of live-action features. Set in 1980s Manhattan, inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. As the lonely Dog watches TV, he notices an advertisement for a robot friend and immediately calls to order it. As Robot arrives at Dog’s doorstep and eventually assembled by Dog, the two become instant friends as Dog takes Robot out to explore Manhattan.
Upon looking at the trailer, you would think Robot Dreams is a buddy comedy about the inseparable bond between a dog and his robot. With its simply drawn animal inhabitants and the few robots – none of which speak any line of dialogue through the running time of 102 minutes – the film is accessible to anyone of any age, though depending on how old you are, you may get a different experience than everyone else. For the younglings at least, there is a bubbly sensation in seeing the activities that Dog and Robot go through, whether it is the former bumbling through such activities like bowling and snow sledging, or the two of them dancing to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”.
However, for an older audience, they will see something more profound. From the opening minutes, seeing Dog alone in his apartment as he looks across the road at a loving couple cozy up in their home, it immediately sets up the film’s central theme of connection. As much as you enjoy the bond between Dog and Robot, heartbreak ensues when they are suddenly separated, due to unforeseen circumstances. Like many anthropomorphic stories, Robot Dreams is about a certain human emotion as Dog himself represents friendship and what happens when you suddenly lose that relationship. No doubt Dog tries to fill that hole with other interactions that at best serve as a temporary fix.
The film’s title is a deliberate reference to Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which along with its film adaptation Blade Runner, plays into the idea that machines being more human than human. Finding himself all alone, the only thing Robot can do is dream, with the hope of being reunited with Dog. Given the stunning flights of fancy he imagines, including a world inspired by The Wizard of Oz, Robot ultimately has to face reality, which can be both tragic and uplifting, during a lengthy scene where he bonds with a bird and her three children.
Whilst the animation captures the simple aesthetics of Sara Varon’s children’s book-like illustrations, it excels with a stunning depiction of a New York that once was, as you can see the Twin Towers always at a distance. Sure, this is a world that features a world of anthropomorphism, and you can purchase a robot that satisfies your needs, the filmmakers bring such authenticity to the city, whether it is walking through East Village or Coney Island, whilst interacting with the various subcultures going on. Although the aforementioned “September” becomes a recurring track, you can hear traces of hip-hop whilst Alfonso de Vilallonga’s score is one of predominately catchy jazz rhythms.
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