4 out of 5 stars
One aspect of humanity that feels elusive to many would be the pursuit and discovery of the perfect life partner. It has been the subject of a multitude of films throughout the ages. Yet, this basic human need continues to be a challenge from generation to generation. Writer/director Maria Schrader (Unorthodox) takes this subject to the next level by considering what people would do if they could create their perfect mate. Would this satisfy this natural drive within the human spirit?
Dr Alma Felser (Maren Eggert) is an accomplished archeologist that leads a team at the Pergamon Museum that studies ancient cuneiform tablets. She is willing to do anything to get funding for the department and jumps at the chance to raise money by being part of an experiment offered to her by her department head. All she has to do is do a three-week evaluation of a robot designed to be her ideal man. Tom (Dan Stevens) is meant to be evaluated on his programming and compatibility. Still, Alma must determine how ethical this program will be for humans and the androids.
As a scientist, this seems like a benign study to perform until she meets her subject and quickly things become awkward. Tom is perfect in every way and does all he can to meet Alma’s every need. Still, she finds this perfection and his underlying innocence frustrating and unnerving since she prefers to live a reclusive life. As the scientist tries to keep her humanoid at arm's length, the introverted side begins to see that his involvement in her world adds more than Alma expected. Each day draws them closer together and Alma must decide if she wants to continue the experiment as Tom becomes more human as their relationship evolves.
Most people will be wondering if that is the Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey speaking German and the answer is ‘ja.’ This multi-lingual actor is fluent in multiple languages and convincingly carries out his role as the robot named Tom. He plays a beautiful foil to Maren Eggert’s socially-inhibited archaeologist. Even with supporting characters, the whole film centres on this pair. Although awkward, they develop the necessary chemistry to keep audiences engaged until the abrupt ending.
This German futuristic production manages to touch upon some of the more significant questions of the human experience. Since it is set in a current context, every aspect of the film becomes believable and touches on relational issues. Despite addressing the ethical implications of robots' rights, the power of the story digs deep into the considerations of what it means to be human. By adding a whole new level of tension to the dating process, Maria Schrader’s tale manages to touch on the basic needs of mankind. In the pursuit of the perfect partner, this screenplay shows that the aspects most of us celebrate can be found in the imperfections of the ones we love.
As the German selection for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards, I’m Your Man is worth discovering for yourself. There are mature elements shown through the development of adult relationships. Yet, they do not detract from the cinematic experience and this is a production about a robot that will get you thinking about the value of being human.
Reel Dialogue: If you were on a plane about to crash, would you pray?
They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. - Romans 1:19-20
One fascinating line of discussion occurs when Alma explains why she is an atheist. Tom considers her explanation and confronts her logic after hearing more of her story. As a robot observing humanity, he states that it is a natural thing for people to pray to God when they are in difficult or dire circumstances.
God can be an afterthought for many within society or some may choose to reject the whole idea. Yet, like Tom, it is challenging to dismiss humanity's need for something or someone to believe in, like God. Difficulties and hardships usually bring most of us to the point of acknowledging our need for God. While He does show that he can be there for us through the good and bad times.
