Welcome to the happy 80s in New York City - a bustling metropolis that is home to all the world's anthropomorphic animals. On a lonely summer night, an isolated dog decides to take action and make a friend - a kind, open-minded robot who fills the void in the dog's heart. One day, however, their unbreakable bond of friendship takes a turn when the dog is forced to leave his mechanical best friend behind on a beach and what follows is a sweet story of longing and the true power of love.
I've never had the pleasure of reading Sara Varon's almost wordless graphic novel, on which the film is based, but if it has the same warmth and heart as this fine film, we're probably dealing with a really good project. Robot Dreams is as sophisticated as it is unpretentious, where the viewer has the pleasure of flipping through a kind of storybook that never forces emotions. You are naturally swept up in the adorably designed images and the deep emotions behind the cartoon eyes, which are guaranteed to squeeze at least one tear from the corner of your eye towards the end of the film.
The pace of Robot Dreams is not the fastest and the plot consists mostly of smaller vignettes, where we follow the dog's anxiety and the robot's wild dreams as he waits to be picked up from the beach. The episodic structure is certainly creative, beautiful and dreamy in its dialogue-free storytelling, exploring the characters' insecurities in extremely clever ways. This is the film's greatest strength: the quiet emotional world that hides behind the superficially simple design and how genuinely human the story is. It's an engaging, bittersweet little tale that leans more on the sweet side than the bitter, even if it can feel a little tough to swallow at times.
However, this doesn't stop Robot Dreams from being a pure happy experience that is guaranteed to bring laughter and tears to the viewer. It is a great family film that is suitable for all ages and will not leave anyone indifferent. While the little ones in the theatre may find the middle section a little slow, even the most hardened adult will understand how painfully realistic this love letter to life can be.