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Bicentennial Man

(1999, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill, Robin Williams)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Film about robot who wants to be human is so-so.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 10–11

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A theme of the movie in metaphor, but few minorities
  • Violence:

    Mild
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Some four letter words
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Social drinking
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bicentennial Man

Parents need to know that this film has some mild profanity and sexual references, including a "facts of life" discussion, Andrew's adaptation so that he can have sex (but not children), a post-sex conversation in bed, and one of the most romantic descriptions of the sex act ever written. There are also ill-behaved and surly children whose behavior is not curtailed by the family.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what makes us human. Why did Andrew's makers want to remove what made him special? Why did Andrew want to find others like himself? What do you think made him different? When do you think he became human? When he created something? When he wanted freedom? When he felt love? When he allowed himself to grow old and die? Why did he stop referring to himself as "one?" Why didn't some people in the family like Andrew? Why didn't Andrew like Portia at first? Why did he want to be with her, when he didn't like her? Do you think that's what life will be like in the future? What would it be like to have a robot in our house?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    A.I. meets Robin Williams

    I expected a funny movie, instead it was a serious movie. It was very good and choked me up at the end. I am not sure why I would feel sympathy for Mr. Roboto.

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