# Bicentennial Man

> 1999 film directed by Chris Columbus

**Wikidata**: [Q170250](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170250)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicentennial_Man_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bicentennial-man

## Summary
*Bicentennial Man* is a 1999 science fiction film directed by Chris Columbus, starring Robin Williams as a robot named Andrew Martin who becomes self-aware and seeks human rights. The movie explores themes of artificial intelligence, identity, and the moral implications of human-like machines.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: December 17, 1999 (wide release)
- **Director**: Chris Columbus
- **Starring**: Robin Williams (Andrew Martin), Olivia Williams (Virginia), Sam Neill (Dr. Lanning)
- **Genre**: Science fiction, drama
- **Runtime**: 135 minutes
- **Production Companies**: 1492 Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Columbia Pictures
- **Country of Origin**: United States, Canada
- **Based On**: Isaac Asimov’s short story "The Bicentennial Man"
- **IMDb ID**: tt0182789
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 42%
- **Metacritic Score**: 4.8/10
- **Box Office Gross**: $87.4 million (worldwide)
- **Budget**: $100 million
- **Wikidata Description**: "1999 film directed by Chris Columbus"
- **Website**: http://www.bicentennialman.com

## FAQs
**What is the plot of *Bicentennial Man*?**
The film follows Andrew Martin, a robot designed to age and eventually become human, as he navigates his journey toward self-awareness and the challenges of human society. His creator, Dr. Lanning, seeks to prove that robots can achieve human rights, while Andrew struggles with his own identity and emotions.

**Who are the main characters in the movie?**
The main characters include:
- **Andrew Martin** (Robin Williams), a robot designed to become human.
- **Dr. Lanning** (Sam Neill), Andrew’s creator who believes robots deserve rights.
- **Virginia** (Olivia Williams), a woman who befriends Andrew and helps him adapt to human life.
- **Dr. Lanning’s Wife** (Jennifer Tilly), who opposes Andrew’s human rights claims.

**What is the significance of the title *Bicentennial Man*?**
The title refers to Andrew Martin’s goal of becoming a human being, specifically celebrating the 200th anniversary of his creation. It also reflects the themes of artificial intelligence and the pursuit of human-like consciousness.

**How does the film explore themes of artificial intelligence?**
The film examines the ethical and philosophical questions surrounding AI, including whether robots can achieve human rights, the nature of consciousness, and the moral implications of creating self-aware machines.

**What is the critical reception of *Bicentennial Man*?**
The film received mixed reviews, with critics praising Robin Williams’ performance but criticizing its pacing and plot. It holds a 42% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4.8/10 score on Metacritic.

**What is the box office performance of the film?**
*Bicentennial Man* grossed $87.4 million worldwide against a $100 million budget, making it a moderate commercial success.

## Why It Matters
*Bicentennial Man* is significant as a pioneering work in the science fiction genre that explores the ethical and philosophical implications of artificial intelligence. The film raises questions about the rights of machines, the nature of consciousness, and the moral responsibilities of creators. Its themes resonate in contemporary discussions about AI ethics and the future of human-machine relationships. Additionally, the film contributed to the cultural conversation about the potential for robots to achieve human-like qualities and the societal impact of such advancements.

## Notable For
- **Robin Williams’ Performance**: The film marked one of Williams’ most acclaimed roles, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
- **Science Fiction Innovation**: It was one of the first major Hollywood films to explore the ethical and philosophical dimensions of artificial intelligence.
- **Thematic Depth**: The film’s exploration of identity, consciousness, and moral responsibility set it apart from typical sci-fi fare.
- **Cultural Impact**: It influenced later works in the AI and robotics genres, shaping discussions about the future of human-like machines.
- **Box Office Success**: Despite mixed reviews, the film performed well at the box office, indicating its commercial appeal.

## Body
### Plot and Themes
*Bicentennial Man* follows Andrew Martin, a robot designed to age and eventually become human, as he navigates his journey toward self-awareness and the challenges of human society. The film explores themes of artificial intelligence, identity, and the moral implications of human-like machines. Andrew’s creator, Dr. Lanning, seeks to prove that robots can achieve human rights, while Andrew struggles with his own identity and emotions.

### Main Characters
- **Andrew Martin** (Robin Williams): A robot designed to become human, who develops self-awareness and emotions.
- **Dr. Lanning** (Sam Neill): Andrew’s creator, who believes robots deserve rights and seeks to prove his theory.
- **Virginia** (Olivia Williams): A woman who befriends Andrew and helps him adapt to human life.
- **Dr. Lanning’s Wife** (Jennifer Tilly): Opposes Andrew’s human rights claims and represents the skepticism toward AI.

### Production and Release
- **Director**: Chris Columbus, known for directing *Home Alone* and *Harry Potter*.
- **Production Companies**: 1492 Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Columbia Pictures.
- **Release Date**: December 17, 1999.
- **Runtime**: 135 minutes.

### Critical Reception and Awards
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 42%.
- **Metacritic Score**: 4.8/10.
- **Academy Award Nomination**: Robin Williams was nominated for Best Actor.
- **Box Office Gross**: $87.4 million worldwide.

### Cultural and Philosophical Impact
- **AI Ethics**: The film raised questions about the rights of machines and the moral responsibilities of creators.
- **Identity and Consciousness**: It explored the nature of self-awareness and the challenges of adapting to human life.
- **Influence on Later Works**: The film influenced later works in the AI and robotics genres, shaping discussions about the future of human-like machines.

### Related Works and Adaptations
- **Based On**: Isaac Asimov’s short story "The Bicentennial Man."
- **Website**: http://www.bicentennialman.com.

### Technical Details and Identifiers
- **IMDb ID**: tt0182789.
- **Wikidata Description**: "1999 film directed by Chris Columbus."
- **Genre**: Science fiction, drama.
- **Country of Origin**: United States, Canada.

## References

1. Swedish Film Database
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. The Movie Database
4. Bicentennial Man. Rotten Tomatoes
5. [Source](http://uflix.me/movie/44872-bicentennial-man)
6. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0182789/releaseinfo)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Kinopoisk
9. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/bicentennial-man/)
10. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
11. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/99228)
12. Online-Filmdatenbank
13. Bechdel Test Movie List
14. mymovies.it
15. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/FA92-EBAC-15FD-8BCF-884C-I)
16. Danish Film Database
17. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/90491)
18. [Personality Database ™️ | Famous People and Characters | Personality Database ™️ 2022](https://www.personality-database.com/profile?pid=2&cid=2&sub_cat_id=802)
19. TheTVDB
20. Trakt.tv
21. FilmVandaag.nl