“Life Like” was released in May 2019 and can be regarded as one of the best-underrated sci-fi movies from that year. The trailer doesn’t give the ending away to this significantly solid story about robots built to serve. It does however show a little too much leg for my liking. This is a film about artificial intelligence by way of robot clones. I mean you’ve got to admit, the thought of robotic humans sometimes feels a little too real. And it’s from that vantage point that Life Like finds some appeal for science fiction fans.
They’re Too Human to be Perfect, He’s Too Perfect to be Human
Quote from Life Like movie
Movies With Artificial Intelligence, What’s “Life Like” About?
The story is simple enough. Sophie and James are allowed to forget about money woes thanks to a new exciting position. As part of the deal, they’re offered a life-like robot to utilize as an assistance droid in their massive estate. Henry is one of a few brand-spanking-new machines and the only male in the line-up.
Sophie’s voice is something we hear at the beginning as a voice-over. She tells us how her relationship with her husband James was worse than she’d ever thought at the time. She speaks as if she is looking back on the story from the future. Instantly when we see the lineup of robots, Sophie is the one to point out that she doesn’t want a female. Sophie’s not even sure if she even wants one at all.
Understanding Sophie is a bit of a drain and her character is not extremely likable. Not because she’s demanding. And not because she wants her husband to initiate doing nice things together. It also couldn’t be because they have no shared interests. Where my distaste for Sophie came from was when she started fighting against the idea of having a free robot helper in the first place. It feels like Sophie thinks robot helpers are humans taking advantage of machines.
Don’t Be Angry At The Washing Machine
Her husband, however, points out that they now live in a new home where she will be by herself all day. It would be silly to think she can do something like that alone. He compares her attitude towards the robots as similar to being angry at the washing machine for cleaning her clothes. Reluctantly, she agrees to take one. The couple happily go home to try out their new toy and they are given the user instructions.
Henry, the machine, seems quick to learn and eager to please. Sophie’s new ‘toy’ even looks like he’s enjoying learning about literature and quoting authors. He wants to make her breakfast and see her happy. He’s happy if she’s happy. The phrase “happy wife, happy life” came to mind halfway through and I thought every couple should have a Henry. James also plays racquetball with him late at night and gets him to help him rebuild an old car. With Henry, he can wash away the stresses of the day. Separately but apart they all get what they inherently need and Henry mimics everything he senses his keepers desire.
Live My Life Like It’s Golden
And while the film is busy pointing out life lessons and relationship goals, Sophie and James drift further apart.
James is quick to blame the mechanics of the machine and they take it back to Julian, the guy that made them. Julian points out the sophisticated programming which only learns what it’s taught. They are only responding to queues they are ultimately given so both need to be careful to not treat him too much like a human. It’s a user issue, not a design issue. But everything is falling apart and decides to give it back.
Unlike films of this ilk, you’d be quick to think it might be a robot uprising film. But sometimes a great finale can make up for being a little slow here and there. This film is not exciting for the most part, it feels like it’s just plodding along. But the LifeLike film is different. The cinematography is really cool and everything is clean and tidy to mimic the theme of the storyline.
Discover the Life Like Movie: An Underrated Sci-Fi Gem of 2019
Overall, this Life Like movie was good. Not in a way that will make you want to proclaim it’s the best movie ever made. It’s more like there’s enough of a difference in its narrative to make you feel like you got your money’s worth.
This film will not blow your mind, but it did surprise me and that doesn’t happen very often. Give it a shot and you might agree it’s one of the best-underrated sci-fi movies from 2019.
Life Like is rated
4 I’ll take a Henry if you don’t want him out of 5
2020 Science fiction: Skyman / The Block Island Sound or read the review for Life Like by Cultfollowing.com, for an alternative opinion.
If you want the female and spicier version of this title, watch Subservience 2024 next.
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Watch the Like Like Trailer and then stream it on Apple TV for free with a subscription.
