It's refreshing to see stories celebrating different kinds of relationships—the ways people connect are evolving, and it’s good when those variations are acknowledged as valid, regardless of how unconventional they might seem. This animated film from writer-director Pablo Berger beautifully illustrates that with a deeply felt story. Set in a vibrant, multicultural version of 1980s New York (perhaps more accurately described as a city populated by various species), the movie follows Dog, who feels isolated and yearns for companionship. His hope seems to materialize when he buys an Amica 2000 Robot. After activating it, Dog and Robot quickly form a strong bond and enjoy a memorable summer getting acquainted and sharing experiences. However, a beach trip in late summer unexpectedly separates them until the following spring, leaving each one wondering if they’ll ever be reunited, despite frequently imagining what that reunion might entail. During this period apart, both begin to consider what could happen if they never reconnect and how to create new kinds of friendships. The question becomes: will these alternative connections feel fulfilling, or will their desire for each other persist? These are the sorts of relationship questions many people grapple with in life, making the story relatable even though the characters involved are so different from ourselves. It's a genuinely heartwarming film that’s sweet and endearing (without being overly sentimental), featuring moments of poignant sadness to keep it grounded. The animation is charming and imaginative, offering a whimsical and detailed depiction of New York City during the late 20th century—almost entirely without spoken dialogue but accompanied by an excellent soundtrack. Based on a graphic novel by Sara Varon, the narrative does feel somewhat slow at times, particularly in the first half, with some scenes that could have been shortened or removed. Some viewers have even suggested “Robot Dreams” is essentially an extended short film, and while I don’t entirely agree, I do think it would have benefited from a bit of trimming. Generally speaking, I'm not usually drawn to animation because so much of it strikes me as excessively silly, frantic, and nonsensical (particularly in American productions), so I tend to be selective about what I watch in the genre. However, when animation succeeds, it can truly captivate me, as this film often does. This Oscar-nominated movie is a delightful little story that’s likely to bring a smile to your face and touch your heart—and that's something worth appreciating.

Source on TMDB