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Parents' Guide to

Bicentennial Man

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

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

Movie PG 1999 132 minutes
Bicentennial Man Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 11+

Based on 5 parent reviews

slowcelebral
slowcelebral Adult
June 27, 2020
age 16+

Good Movie but not for kids under 16

PG rating is very misleading. Words $hit and a$$ were used several times during the movie. Discussion of Sexual intercourse and orgasm was brought up twice. Mention of man's genitalia and a couple were shown in bed implying that they just had sex. Several scenes of couple kissing on lips and one long French kiss. Kind f shocked really to see MPAA gave it a rating of PG.
Christopher K.
Christopher K. Parent of 5-year-old
January 14, 2023
age 5+

One of Robin Williams best films.

Honestly I love this movie. I think it has a terrific message. I do have a 5-year-old child that likes to watch this movie as well. Yes I do understand there are some questionable content throughout the film but nothing to the point where I think that she should not be able to watch it. One of the things that I try to keep in mind is that the older generation did not have any type of foul language or sex references in a pg-rated film. Now that is becoming more normal. Another thing to keep in mind is that this film takes place in the future so maybe in that time period that would be the norm. All in all I think that this is one of Robin Williams best pieces of work. This film has so much heart in it that I think then negative parts of the film actually take a back seat.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set in the not too distant future, this adaptation of Isaac Asimov's story stars Robin Williams as Andrew, a robot in the Martins' fancy home. Although the family elects not to activate the "personality chip," they see that there is something special about Andrew's wiring, a spark of consciousness, creativity, and yearning. Mr. Martin (Sam Neill) promises to help Andrew become all that he can. This is fine when he is teaching Andrew about history, biology, and even humor, and when he wants to be adapted so that he can show more expression in his face, but less fine when Andrew wants freedom. And he is uncomfortable with his growing affection for Andrew: "You can't invest your feelings in a machine." Martin's understanding daughter, "Little Miss," (Embeth Daviditz) does not hesitate to care deeply for Andrew, and remains close to him all her life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (5 ):

Overall, BICENTENNIAL MAN is a sweet movie that gives families a good opportunity to talk about what makes us human. As Andrew lives on past the lives of his original family, he stays close to their descendants, especially "Little Miss's" look-alike granddaughter, Portia. He uses the latest technology to provide himself with skin, hair, a neural system, a digestive system, and finally, to become fully human, mortality. Just like Woody in Toy Story 2, Andrew has a choice between pristine immortality and a limited, uncertain, but deeply engaged existence.

Talk to Your Kids 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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