Android (1982)

Android (1982)

Comments 2 comments

“You — you’re both androids!”

Synopsis:
A male android (Don Opper) onboard a spaceship with a mad doctor (Klaus Kinski) and a newly formed female android (Kendra Kirchner) falls for a beautiful human fugitive (Brie Howard) who — along with two criminal compatriots (Norbert Weisser and Crofton Hardester) — is on the run from the law .

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Androids and Clones
  • Fugitives
  • Mad Doctors and Scientists
  • Science Fiction

Response to Peary’s Review:
In his brief review of this “low-budget debut film” by writer-actor Dan Opper — which “became a quick cult favorite in England,” but “never really caught on” in America — Peary simply notes that putting “all these weird characters together” means “there’s bound to be mayhem.” He asserts that while “it has charm, a Chaplinesque lead character, and behind-the-camera intelligence going for it,” it “is one film that really should have been zanier.”

I agree. There is very little going on here other than Opper (who is appropriately child-like and charming) wanting to experience love and sex for the first time (with Howard), and being disillusioned by his maker (Kinski).

None of the characters or plot details are sufficiently fleshed out. We simply know that Opper is in the midst of a bunch of questionable characters:

… and that he will at some point be joined (or replaced) by his new female companion.

To its credit, the film ends on an empowering note, but it’s not really worth the ride until then.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

  • Don Opper as Max 404

Must See?
No, though sci-fi fans might be curious to check it out given its cult status.

Links:

2 thoughts on “Android (1982)”

  1. I’ve always loved this modest little film which at 80 minutes never outstays it’s welcome. Lots of touches of warmth and humour. It’s not a must see film by any stretch of the imagination but it was fairly high profile during the ’80s and had lots of great critical press at the time (Maltin, Siskel, Ebert etc).

    However, it’s largely forgotten these days and the last decent commercial release was the 2004 US Anchor Bay DVD. Charming, thrilling and well acted with a good score and a fine script.

  2. First viewing (3/15/21). Not must-see, but it will be of interest to sci-fi fans.

    A film with unrealized potential – which is ultimately too bad because it could have been a better film. At 80 minutes, it’s rushed – and, of course, low-budget (everything from boom mic appearances to some unfortunately awkward writing).

    I’m guessing that the idea of playing a kind of Dr. Frankenstein appealed to Kinski. Most surprisingly – throughout, Opper gives a sympathetic, effective performance as Max.

    The conclusion is a surprising bit of fun.

Leave a Reply