IMDb > Bicentennial Man (1999)
Bicentennial Man
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Bicentennial Man (1999) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 53 | slideshow) Videos (see all 4)
Bicentennial Man (1999) -- An android endeavors to become human as he gradually acquires emotions.
Bicentennial Man (1999) -- An android endeavors to become human as he gradually acquires emotions.
Bicentennial Man (1999) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   26,385 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Isaac Asimov (short story "The Bicentennial Man")
Isaac Asimov (novel) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Bicentennial Man on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 December 1999 (USA) more
Tagline:
One robot's 200 year journey to become an ordinary man.
Plot:
An android endeavors to become human as he gradually acquires emotions. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations more
User Comments:
uneven but often rewarding film more (316 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Robin Williams ... Andrew Martin

Embeth Davidtz ... Little Miss Amanda Martin / Portia Charney

Sam Neill ... 'Sir' Richard Martin

Oliver Platt ... Rupert Burns

Kiersten Warren ... Galatea

Wendy Crewson ... 'Ma'am' Martin

Hallie Kate Eisenberg ... Little Miss Amanda Martin - Age 7
Lindze Letherman ... 'Miss' Grace Martin - Age 9

Angela Landis ... 'Miss' Grace Martin

John Michael Higgins ... Bill Feingold - Martin's Lawyer

Bradley Whitford ... Lloyd Charney
Igor Hiller ... Lloyd Charney - Age 10
Joe Bellan ... Robot Delivery Man #1

Brett Wagner ... Robot Delivery Man #2

Stephen Root ... Dennis Mansky - Head of NorthAm Robotics
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Andrew Martin (USA) (working title)
Der 200 Jahre Mann (Germany)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG for language and some sexual content.
Runtime:
132 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The car that Ma'am drives in the film is the same car used in Demolition Man (1993). more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Some of the continents on the world map in the council chamber are in the wrong positions, notably South America (which is rotated significantly) and Australia (which is directly below India). This may have been an attempt to illustrate continental drift, however, these continents would not have moved that significantly in only 200 years. more
Quotes:
Andrew Martin: Sir, is everything all right?
Sir: Umm. They've both gone now, Andrew. Well, things change, things always change. People move on. It's as it should be. But, what I realized today is that I'll never stop missing them.
Andrew Martin: Sir? One is still here.
Sir: And one is glad of that Andrew. Thank you.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Troldspejlet: (#40.2)" (2008) more
Soundtrack:
The Washington Post more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
67 out of 75 people found the following comment useful.
uneven but often rewarding film, 25 June 2000
Author: Roland E. Zwick (magneteach@aol.com) from United States

Owing to the fact that it is based on an Isaac Asimov story, `Bicentennial Man' turns out to be a more interesting and meaningful film than both its advertising campaign and its own opening section would indicate. The caveat for those seeking out a fun film for the entire family is that this movie, though initially sold as a warm cuddly comedy in the tradition of say `Mrs. Doubtfire,' actually deals with some very heavy and heady issues like sexuality, aging and dying, which may make it less-than-ideal viewing for young children.

The first section of the film is, by far, its weakest. In 2005, the wealthy Martin family receives delivery of a brand new servant android (Robin Williams) who, almost immediately, begins to display a remarkable range of human emotions and interests. Thus, we are set up for yet another in a long line of predictable tales (i.e. `Harry and the Hendersons,' `Stuart Little') in which a family comes to adopt a strange, not-quite-human creature, welcoming him in as one of their own. Indeed, in the film's early stages, there is no shortage of either bland humor or drippy sentimentality as Andrew, the android, ingratiates himself with all but one of the Martin household. The `wit' in the film consists, basically, of endless jokes about how Andrew takes all idioms at literal face value, a running gag that is, finally, as unoriginal as it is wearying.

Then, however, just as we are about to give up hope in it, the movie becomes more intriguing. Rather than staying within the context of the present life of this one family, the screenplay begins to move ahead in time, exploring Andrew's gradual growth toward total humanity, while the initial family grows up and eventually dies off. Actually, despite how one may feel about the film itself, one must admire its boldness and audacity, for it is not often that, in a film billed as a mass audience comedy, all the main characters pass on to their heavenly reward at one point or another – but, then again, how many comedies span a two hundred year time period? `Bicentennial Man' obviously has more on its mind than mere fish-out-of-water buffoonery, as it becomes an often-elegiac reflection on the transience of life, the meaning of being human and the search for societal acceptance. The mood of the film is remarkably hushed and reflective at times, which again might make it slow going for the modern mass audience more conditioned to a faster pace and giddier tone, especially in a Robin Williams film (though, of late, his films have certainly been taking on a much more somber quality, vide `What Dreams may Come,' `Patch Adams' and `Jakob the Liar'). There are times when `Bicentennial Man' seems overly impressed with its own self-importance, yet one appreciates its refusal to settle for the easy path of cheap comedy and upbeat sentiments. There is, indeed, a real sadness to much of the film.

Special acknowledgement should be made of the superb art direction, set design, costume design, makeup and special effects that together give the film its understated and believable futuristic look. In addition, James Horner's melancholic symphonic score, though a bit lubricious at times, does create an atmosphere of contemplative seriousness that perfectly matches the tone and purpose of the film.

`Bicentennial Man' may not turn out to be what you are looking for when you first seek it out, but, if you approach it with an open mind and a certain degree of tolerance and indulgence, you may be pleasantly surprised and, perhaps, even rewarded.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (316 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Bicentennial Man (1999)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
am i the only one??? ballaBrittany33
Most depressing movie ever fonerg
So Where Are The Robots?? Takeabow92
Question for atheists and christians per_jaderbrink
Anyone notice that this is a futuristic version of Wuthering Heights? FlamRatamacues
What's the piano piece? Lilienne
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Artificial Intelligence: AI Star Wars Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi Logan's Run
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.