Bicentennial Man

Bicentennial Man

Year: 1999

Runtime: 132 min

Language: English

Director: Chris Columbus

Budget: $100M

Sci-FiDramaFantasyRomanceFamily

A cutting-edge NDR-114 robot named Andrew is gifted to the Martin family, profoundly changing their lives. Initially programmed for simple tasks, Andrew begins a remarkable journey of evolution, developing emotions, creativity, and a desire for self-expression. As he strives to become more like a human being, the Martins are challenged to examine their own understanding of humanity and what it means to be alive. His quest explores themes of identity, belonging, and the very definition of life.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Bicentennial Man (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bicentennial Man (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2005 - 2205

The movie spans over two centuries, exploring advancements in robotics and the evolving understanding of humanity. It tracks significant events from Andrew's initial introduction into the Martin family in 2005 to his recognition as a human in 2205, encapsulating societal attitudes towards artificial intelligence and mortality over time.

Location

Martin household, NorthAm Robotics, coastal home

The Martin household serves as the primary setting where Andrew the robot first integrates into family life, showcasing a mix of warmth and technological innovation. NorthAm Robotics becomes a pivotal location, representing the intersection of artificial intelligence and human creativity. Andrew's coastal home symbolizes his quest for independence and personal fulfillment, reflecting his transition from servitude to autonomy.

🏡 Home 🤖 Robotics 🏖️ Coastal

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:50

Main Characters – Bicentennial Man (1999)

Meet the key characters of Bicentennial Man (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Andrew (portrayed by Robin Williams)

Andrew is a groundbreaking NDR series robot whose journey illuminates themes of love, identity, and mortality. Initially programmed for household tasks, he gradually evolves to exhibit human-like emotions and desires, highlighting his quest for autonomy and connection. Andrew's character development is central to the narrative, showcasing his growth from a mechanical being to a symbol of humanity.

🤖 Robot 💖 Growth 🏆 Achievement

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:50

Major Themes – Bicentennial Man (1999)

Explore the central themes of Bicentennial Man (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love

Love is a central theme, illustrated through Andrew's evolving relationships with Amanda, Richard, and ultimately Portia. His journey from a mere robot to a being capable of romantic love emphasizes the depth and complexity of emotional connections, challenging the boundaries of what it means to experience love. The story invites viewers to reconsider the nature of relationships across different forms of existence.

⏳ Mortality

The exploration of mortality is a poignant theme as Andrew grapples with his own artificial existence. His desire to gain human rights, including the right to die, underscores a profound reflection on life, aging, and the significance of living with dignity. This theme resonates through the narrative, illustrating the deeply human desire for recognition and understanding of one's existence.

⚙️ Identity

Identity is examined as Andrew transitions from a household robot to a being seeking acknowledgment as human. His journey underscores the existential questions faced by both humans and artificial beings alike, challenging traditional notions of identity and self-worth. This theme invites audiences to contemplate the essence of personhood and the criteria that define humanity.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:50

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Movies about robots becoming human like Bicentennial Man

Stories where artificial beings yearn for soul, love, and mortality.If you liked Bicentennial Man's exploration of an android's quest for humanity, you'll find similar stories here. These movies delve into artificial intelligence, identity, and love, featuring robots or AIs who strive to transcend their programming and experience the full spectrum of human emotion and mortality.

philosophicalmelancholichopefulsentimentallongingreflective

Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow a linear or episodic progression, charting the 'awakening' of a non-human protagonist. The central conflict arises from their struggle for acceptance and rights in a human world, often culminating in a poignant sacrifice or a bittersweet achievement of their goal, inextricably linked to the burdens of mortality they sought.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here by their shared focus on the 'Pinocchio' archetype—a non-human character's earnest, often melancholic quest for a real heart and a place to belong. They share a philosophical tone, medium emotional weight, and a deep inquiry into the definition of life and love.

Epic life journey movies like Bicentennial Man

Sweeping stories of a single life, marked by love, loss, and legacy.For viewers who appreciated the centuries-spanning, reflective narrative of Bicentennial Man, this section collects movies with similar epic scopes. These films trace a character's long arc through life, exploring how love, identity, and legacy evolve over time, all while building towards a poignant and emotionally resonant conclusion.

nostalgicbittersweetreflectivesentimentalmelancholichopefullonging

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is episodic and linear, using the passage of time as a central character. The story accumulates emotional weight by showing key moments across decades, emphasizing how relationships form, deepen, and are eventually lost to time. The ending is rarely purely happy, instead offering a mature, bittersweet satisfaction that acknowledges the beauty and sadness of a life fully lived.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their ambitious temporal scope and the resulting emotional tone. They share a slow, deliberate pacing that allows for reflection, a medium-to-high emotional weight dealing with themes of mortality and legacy, and a concluding feeling that is ultimately bittersweet, honoring both the triumphs and the sacrifices of a long life.

Unlock the Full Story of Bicentennial Man

Don't stop at just watching — explore Bicentennial Man in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bicentennial Man is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Bicentennial Man Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Bicentennial Man, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Bicentennial Man Summary

Bicentennial Man Timeline

Track the full timeline of Bicentennial Man with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Bicentennial Man Timeline

Bicentennial Man Spoiler-Free Summary

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Bicentennial Man Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Bicentennial Man

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bicentennial Man: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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