Bicentennial Man (1999) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place primarily in the Martin household, where Andrew the robot is first introduced to family life, and later at NorthAm Robotics, the company that created him. Andrew also eventually lives in a coastal home, which symbolizes his journey toward independence and personal fulfillment.

• martin household
• northam robotics
• coastal home
• setting
• locations

The story spans from 2005, when Andrew is first brought into the Martin family, to 2205, when he is finally recognized as a human. This two-century timeline allows the film to explore how societal attitudes toward artificial intelligence evolve over time.

• time period
• 2005
• 2205
• future
• timeline
• centuries

Identity is the central theme, as Andrew transitions from a household robot to a being seeking acknowledgment as human. The movie explores existential questions about personhood and what criteria truly define humanity, challenging traditional notions of self-worth and belonging.

• identity
• humanity
• personhood
• self
• definition of human

Andrew is an NDR-114 robot, one of the first of its kind, who is given to the Martin family. Played by Robin Williams, he begins as a machine programmed for simple household tasks but gradually evolves to exhibit human-like emotions, creativity, and desires, becoming the central figure of the story.

• andrew
• robot
• ndr-114
• robin williams
• main character

Love is a central theme shown through Andrew's evolving relationships with the Martin family members, first with Amanda, then Richard, and finally Portia. His journey demonstrates that emotional connections and romantic love are possible even for an artificial being, challenging the boundaries of what it means to experience love.

• love
• relationships
• emotional connection
• romance
• family

Mortality is explored through Andrew's unique situation, he is artificial but desires human rights, including the right to die. His desire for mortality reflects a profound reflection on life, aging, and dignity, illustrating the deeply human desire for recognition of one's existence and the significance of living meaningfully.

• mortality
• death
• life
• aging
• human rights
• existence

The movie portrays a near-future world where advanced robotics coexist with human society. NorthAm Robotics represents the intersection of artificial intelligence and human creativity, showing a world where robots are increasingly integrated into family life while society grapples with questions about machine consciousness and rights.

• robotics
• artificial intelligence
• technology
• future world
• sci-fi

The Martin family includes the parents and their children who receive Andrew as a gift. They represent the human perspective in the story, challenged to examine their own understanding of humanity as they watch Andrew evolve from a robot into a being with emotions and desires.

• martin family
• characters
• humans
• household

The movie has an overwhelmingly bittersweet tone, combining hopeful, humanist exploration with tragic elements. While it deals seriously with loss and existential questions about consciousness and identity, the core message remains uplifting about love, freedom, and what it means to be human.

• tone
• bittersweet
• emotional
• mood
• theme

Andrew's quest is to become fully human, not just in appearance but in rights and recognition. He seeks autonomy, creative expression, and ultimately human legal status, driven by his desire for self-expression and belonging. His journey explores what it means to be alive and whether consciousness and feeling are enough to deserve humanity.

• quest
• humanity
• freedom
• autonomy
• self-expression
• rights