Taglines: Journey to a world where robots dream and desire.
In the not-so-far future the polar ice caps have melted and the resulting rise of the ocean waters has drowned all the coastal cities of the world. Withdrawn to the interior of the continents, the human race keeps advancing, reaching the point of creating realistic robots (called mechas) to serve them.
One of the mecha-producing companies builds David, an artificial kid which is the first to have real feelings, especially a never-ending love for his “mother”, Monica. Monica is the woman who adopted him as a substitute for her real son, who remains in cryo-stasis, stricken by an incurable disease. David is living happily with Monica and her husband, but when their real son returns home after a cure is discovered, his life changes dramatically.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence, also known as A.I., is a 2001 American science fiction drama film directed by Steven Spielberg. The screenplay by Spielberg was based on a screen story by Ian Watson and the 1969 short story “Super-Toys Last All Summer Long” by Brian Aldiss. The film was produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Spielberg and Bonnie Curtis. It stars Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O’Connor, Brendan Gleeson and William Hurt. Set in a futuristic post-climate change society, A.I. tells the story of David (Osment), a childlike android uniquely programmed with the ability to love.
The film divided critics, with the overall balance being positive, and grossed approximately $235 million. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards at the 74th Academy Awards, for Best Visual Effects and Best Original Score (by John Williams). In a 2016 BBC poll of 177 critics around the world, Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence was voted the eighty-third greatest film since 2000. A.I. is dedicated to Stanley Kubrick.
Cast and Characters
Haley Joel Osment as David, an innovative Mecha created by Cybertronics and programmed with the ability to love. He is adopted by Henry and Monica Swinton, but a sibling rivalry ensues once their son Martin comes out of suspended animation. Osment was Spielberg’s first and only choice for the role. Osment avoided blinking his eyes to perfectly portray the character, and “programmed” himself with good posture for realism.
Jude Law as Gigolo Joe, a male prostitute Mecha programmed with the ability to mimic love, like David, but in a different sense. To prepare for the role, Law studied the acting of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
Frances O’Connor as Monica Swinton, David’s adopted mother who reads him The Adventures of Pinocchio. She is first displeased to have David in her home but soon starts loving him.
Sam Robards as Henry Swinton, an employee at Cybertronics, husband of Monica and David’s adopted father. Henry eventually sees David as dangerous to his family.
Jake Thomas as Martin Swinton, Henry and Monica’s first son, who was placed in suspended animation and David’s adopted brother. When Martin comes back, he convinces David to cut off a lock of Monica’s hair.
William Hurt as Professor Allen Hobby, responsible for shepherding the creation of David. He resides in New York City, which is crippled by the effects of global warming but still functioning as Cybertronics’ headquarters. David is modeled after Hobby’s own son, also named David, who died at a young age.
Brendan Gleeson as Lord Johnson-Johnson, the owner and master of ceremonies of the Flesh Fair.
Ashley Scott as Gigolo Jane
Kathryn Morris as Teenage Honey
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O’Connor, Sam Robards, Jake Thomas, Daveigh Chase, Brendan Gleeson, William Hurt, Chris Rock, Robin Williams
Screenplay by: Brian Aldiss
Production Design by: Rick Carter
Cinematography by: Janusz Kaminski
Film Editing by: Michael Kahn
Costune Design by: Bob Ringwood
Set Decoration by: Nancy Haigh
Art Direction by: Richard L. Johnson, William James Teegarden, Thomas Valentine
Music by: John Williams
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexual content and violent images.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures (United States), DreamWorks Pictures (International)
Release Date: June 29, 2001
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