You might be surprised to learn that a dog, a robot, and some rust are involved in one of the most heartbreakingly lovely tales of love and sorrow you’ll come across this year or any other. Robot Dreams is a movie that is based on the captivating 2007 graphic novel by Sara Varon, which Pablo Berger brought to life in stunning 2D animation for the big screen. Similar to its inspiration, it is wordless but brimming with drama, creativity, and most importantly, feeling.
Think of Zootropolis sans the Disney aesthetic, as the Twin Towers rise over a dreary but animal-populated New York in the early 1980s. A lone dog enviously microwaves his dinner and gazes at his neighbors who are in relationships. He becomes inspired after seeing an advertisement for a “Amica 2000” robot, which he orders and transforms into a devoted new buddy. A scene out of a romantic comedy now plays, with Robot experiencing happiness for the first time and Dog feeling more confident to face the world with his new friend.
However, Robot is too hefty for Dog to move by himself and is rendered immobile when they go to Coney Island for a day at the beach. When he returns with some tools, the beach is closed for the season, and he is unable to get Robot even after trying several times. The buddies have to spend a long time apart, dreading being alone but also looking forward to their reunion.
Surprisingly, the childishly bold style goes well with a serious, elegiac tone.
What follows are moments of peril and hopelessness mixed with wild fantasies during the long months till the beach reopens. However, there are also soaring grace notes in the Wizard of Oz universe, in a musical performance reminiscent of Busby Berkeley and the funniest bowling moment ever captured on camera. Robot worries that Dog will take his place; Dog searches for Robot in every person who knocks on his door.
It produces a somber, elegiac tone that surprisingly harmonizes with the naively flamboyant design. The 2D animation is colorful without ever being flashy, straightforward without ever being simplistic, and Berger makes sure that the city is brimming with fascinating people to serve as the backdrop for the two solitary, silent leads. The filmmaker, whose previous silent film work was Blancanieves (2012), fills the screen with subtly witty details, such as Dog’s subtle removal of his swimming shorts behind a towel and his tail wagging when he’s quite delighted.
Though it may have been platonic, our heroes’ longing for their lost love intensifies as the likelihood of them getting back together increases. It turns into a poignant, intimate reminder of how fleeting and significant our relationships truly are.