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FLICKS: Robot & Frank; Gateway’s Classic Film Festival

Posted on 29 August 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Opening in theaters this weekend, Robot & Frank kicked off the 17th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival, becoming the audience favorite. A touch of drama with a slice of science fiction, Robot & Frank deals with many domestic issues in an entertaining way.

Frank (Frank Langella) is a retired jewel thief who lives in suburban New York. His children (played by James Marsden and Liv Tyler) fear that their father cannot live by himself, so they purchase a domestic robot to do his chores.

Feeling that this robot is crimping his style, especially when it comes to wooing a perky librarian (Susan Sarandon), Frank rejects the mechanical midget man. After a series of misadventures, Frank realizes that he can program a new partner in crime.

Langella plays a composite role of so many of his former characters, an educated man with many petty flaws that he does not acknowledge. Producers are devising an Oscar campaign for Langella’s balanced performance. Beyond good performances, Robot & Frank tells a good short story.

Among the theaters where this film is being shown is the Classic Gateway Theater, 1820 E Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304, where they are also holding their 1st Annual Classic Film Festival, August 31 through Sept. 27. Epic films to be shown include many films honored by the American Film Institute, films like Gone with The Wind, Citizen Kane, Some Like it Hot, The Wizard of Oz, China-town, West Side Story, North by Northwest, Shane, Annie Hall, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Singin’ in the Rain.

Arthur Friedman, the operating partner of the Classic Gateway and a lover of classic movies said, “Ever since I was a kid, I learned that the theatrical experience cannot be duplicated on television, video or any other new technology.

There’s something about being in a theatre with an audience, watching a great movie that is magical. Having an emotional experience – laughing or crying, being thrilled or just simply enjoying – together with family, friends, neighbors and the rest of the audience … is a feeling beyond words.”

Hopefully, attendance at this film fest will be good enough to create the 2nd Annual Classic Film Festival.

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