A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Image taken from wikipedia.org
Many years into the future, global warming has forced citizens of the United States to move inland, cars can fly, and robots are common-place. Such was the setting for Steven Spielberg’s film A.I. Artificial Intelligence. The project was in the hands of acclaimed director Stanley Kubrick for a while, yet after Kubrick’s death, Spielberg took the helm. The film sought to create a realistic-looking future and touching story that would appeal to audiences. Spielberg cast Haley Joel Osmond as the young Robot-boy David. David’s tale would be the main plot of the film, with the futuristic aspect being a secondary part of the story.
The film told the story of a couple whose son is a medical vegetable, in which he cannot speak and is completely unconscious. Hoping to make his wife feel better, the husband purchases a small robot-boy who has the capacity for love. Although originally hesitant to have a new boy in her family, the mother forms a close bond with the boy named David. David feels very strongly for his mother and when the vegetable son awakens and rejoins the family, problems ensue. It soon becomes clear to the parents that David cannot be a part of the family. The young robot is left in the wilderness to pity himself against the fury of the world.
He goes on a quest to find the “blue fairy”, a mystical person in the tale of Pinnochio who grants people wishes. David hopes to find her and wish that his mommy would love him. The film was confusing to most audiences since its subject matter seemed a bit disturbing. However, the film was nominated for Academy Awards and was a box-office success. Steven Spielberg has called it a “very personal film.”
