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But computer animation would have grounded the movie in something closer to the real world.
And that would have been catastrophic.
The movies entrancing and melancholy beauty feels old-fashioned in a contemporary animation world largely defined by clutter and smarm.
One day, they take a bus way out to the beach and cavort joyfully in the waves.
Afterward, however, Robot breaks down and cant move its limbs.
The bulk ofRobot Dreamsfollows the two protagonists during their separation.
During these moments, Berger tugs at our heartstrings with a mixture of gentle warmth and understated sadism.
The occasional patches of darkness are all part of the growing metaphorical power of the film.
We see Dog grow into a different … person?
(Is that the word?)
We see Robot exposed to the cruelty and indifference of the world, but also to its offhand kindnesses.
We see a kind of love develop between characters.
Whether thats the love of friendship or something akin to romance, Berger largely leaves that up to us.
But that, too, adds to the evocative quality of the film.
Or rather, he understands that the world around us shifts along with our relationships and vice versa.
