Bicentennial Man

When Richard Martin brings home an NDR-114 household robot as a practical gift, the youngest child names him Andrew. What begins as a servant performing chores quietly evolves into something unexpected: Andrew starts showing curiosity, creativity and emotional responses that go beyond his programming. The Martin family adjusts to a machine that paints, tells stories and forms close bonds, and Andrew gradually seeks recognition and a different place in the world. The film follows his long life alongside the Martins and others, watching how relationships, identity and what it means to be human shift without revealing major plot twists.

Released in 1999, the film was directed by Chris Columbus and adapted from Isaac Asimov material, with screenplay contributions credited to Nicholas Kazan and Robert Silverberg. Robin Williams headlines as Andrew, joined by Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill and Oliver Platt.

At the box office the movie had a mixed reception, failing to become a major blockbuster. It did find an audience, but it didn't dominate headlines for commercial success.

The film lodged itself in conversations about artificial intelligence and personhood, and Robin Williams' turn as an evolving robot is often the most remembered element. Several scenes depicting Andrew's artistic growth and subtle emotional moments remain frequently referenced in discussions about cinematic robots and the ethics of sentient machines.

Critical reaction was varied, reflected in a mid-range audience score of about 7.27 out of 10 from several thousand votes. Reviewers tended to praise the warm, character-driven approach and Williams' performance while noting the film's sentimental tone. Central themes include identity, mortality, love and rights for nonhuman beings, presented in a way that favors emotional clarity over speculative complexity.