’s whimsical but thought- provoking sci-fi rom-com about a scientist){kind=link}
Maren Eggert and Dan Stevens star in Maria Schrader (Unorthodox)’s whimsical but thought- provoking sci-fi rom-com about a scientist and the AI humanoid designed to be her perfect partner. Alma (Eggert) is a scientist at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin who specializes in ancient Sumerian cuneiform. She is also single. To her chagrin, this qualifies her as the only member of her team eligible to participate in a peculiar study in which she must take home an AI humanoid designed to be her perfect romantic partner, live with him for three weeks, and submit her assessment. Her evaluation will help inform decision-making about whether these robots will be allowed to work, marry, hold passports, and have rights within society. A skeptical Alma reluctantly agrees to participate in exchange for increased funding for her work. At a jazzy bar comprised mostly of holograms (a rare use of special effects in I’m Your Man) Alma meets Tom (Stevens), the humanoid built and programmed specifically to meet Alma’s needs and make her happy. Supposedly, he is her best chance at finding happiness, but it’s a rocky start for the robot/human couple. Tom uses cheesy poetic one-liners, and while dancing the rumba together he glitches and is taken away for repairs. At Alma’s apartment, Tom is puzzled to learn he and Alma will stay in separate bedrooms. Although Alma largely tries to carry on with life as normal and simply tolerate Tom’s presence, he has a quiet charm that endears him to her.
Tom works his way into Alma’s life, involving himself in her work, acting as her plus-one at a party, and accompanying her to visit her elderly father. Although Alma remains reluctant to let herself care for Tom, in part because he’s a robot but also due to a tragic event from her past, she is nevertheless fascinated by him. Tom is both a ‘square’ and a spontaneous spirit. On the one hand, he offers Alma specific instructions about how to adjust her driving habits to reduce the risk of accident (further highlighting to Alma the fact his brain is a computer), while on the other hand he encourages her to let loose and run barefoot across a field with him. He also has a wit that delights and surprises Alma (and viewers).
Tom is as curious about human emotion and experience as Alma, but his inability to encompass the complex spectrum of emotions or understand human motivation remains a divide between them. Alma reflects that it’s his very design, intended to meet her every need and make her happy, that proves problematic; a central part of what makes us human lies in the pursuit of happiness. Through Alma and Tom’s relationship, the film offers much more than a rom-com. It offers a thoughtful discussion around the nature of humanity using humour, charm, a dose of philosophy, and superb performances from the lead actors.
On paper, a rom-com about a workaholic single woman finding love screams tired trope, but I’m Your Man falls victim to clichés or dismisses the importance of Alma’s work. Instead, it brings Tom into that part of her life in a thought-provoking way that contributes to the film’s exploration of human emotion and motivation. I’m Your Man is also not the first film to explore AI/human romance, but it provides a fresh, intriguing take on the genre and has a playful balance of deep sincerity and light wit that sets it apart.
Eggert and Stevens offer brilliant performances as their respective characters. Eggert reveals Alma as a smart, layered character who remains firm in her beliefs despite acknowledging her growing feelings for Tom. Eggert wonderfully expresses this slow, continued shifting of emotions. Stevens, meanwhile, is a delight to watch as a robot trying to pass as human. He is very intentional with his movement and expressions; we see it in the way he carefully folds his arms to mimic a human pondering what to order at a cafe, or the way he deliberately transitions into a ‘relaxed’ position on the couch. Eggert and Stevens have a chemistry that reflects the thoughtful nature of their love. It’s not a fiery passion but rather a connection built on their shared curiosity about human nature.
I’m Your Man premiered earlier this year at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival, where Eggert won the Silver Bear award for Best Leading Performance.
Score: A
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