The Disney Box Office Failure Starring Robin Williams Based on an Isaac Asimov Story

With an estimated production budget of $90 million, the 1999 film Bicentennial Man, starring Robin Williams, only earned $87 million at the box office, marking it as a financial disappointment. Critics were harsh at the time, and the movie has struggled to gain appreciation over the years. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 38% critic rating and a slightly better 59% audience score.

The story, however, originates from Isaac Asimovs acclaimed 1976 novelette The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories, which won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 1977. Asimov later expanded and refined the tale with Robert Silverberg in The Positronic Man, published in 1992. These two works became the foundation for the 1999 film adaptation.

While the novels received positive reviews, the movie was criticized for a weak screenplay and a lackluster plot that failed to capture the imagination. Despite this, some viewers consider the film "underrated," suggesting that critics may have overlooked its merits. The movie highlights the challenges of adapting literature into film, especially when attempting to preserve the essence of the original story, even with stars like Robin Williams and Sam Neill attached.

For those interested in contemporary adaptations of Asimovs work, Apple TV+ offers a major sci-fi series based on his Foundation books.

Plot Overview of Bicentennial Man

Bicentennial Man follows the life of Andrew, a household robot purchased to assist a family with daily chores. Played by Robin Williams, Andrew gradually develops human-like qualities, showing emotions, creativity, and early signs of sentience. The film explores his journey as he evolves beyond his initial programming, eventually living for two centuries, which raises poignant and reflective themes about mortality and humanity.

Although the movie diverges from the books plot in several ways, both versions examine artificial intelligence gaining consciousness and the transformation of robotic beings with human characteristics. Andrews extended lifespan allows the story to delve into ethical and emotional questions, making the narrative both thoughtful and bittersweet.

While Bicentennial Man is not available on Disney+, it can be rented on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Fans of science fiction may also enjoy other titles on Apple TV+, including Silo, which continue the exploration of futuristic themes.

Author: Grace Ellison