Robot Dreams

In Manhattan in 1985, a dog living alone orders a robot by mail and the two become friends. At the end of the summer the robot breaks down on the beach and the dog cannot lift him, the beach closes for winter, and the friends are separated until June. There is no dialogue. The characters make sounds and not a single word is spoken. Pablo Berger adapted Sara Varon's 2007 graphic novel and called the film his love letter to 1980s New York. The animation is hand-drawn. Earth, Wind and Fire's September is the spine of it. It plays over the rollerskating scene and then becomes the emotional measure of everything that follows. It won the Goya for Best Animated Film, the European Film Award for Best Animated Feature and the Annie for Best Independent Animated Feature, and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards. On a 5 million euro budget it grossed 10.4 million euros worldwide. Rotten Tomatoes sits at 98 percent and Metacritic at 87. Who it is for: viewers who like wordless storytelling and films about friendship and loss. Who it is not for: anyone watching with children and expecting a happy ending. The ending is emotionally right and not remotely comforting.