I’ve been waiting for this film since it premiered at Berlinale back in March. It’s original title is Ich bin dein Mensch, a German sci-fi romantic drama film written and directed by Maria Schrader. The German filmmaker is perhaps known to US audiences from directing the Netflix series Unorthodox (which my bestie raved about but I still need to see).

I’ve got to admit I was intrigued by the fabulous Dan Stevens playing a humanoid robot named Tom… speaking German no less!

Full synopsis:

In order to obtain research funds for her studies, a scientist accepts an offer to participate in an extraordinary experiment: for three weeks, she is to live with a humanoid robot, created to make her happy.

Awwww… I’m already in love with this trailer already. I mean yes, there have been a ton of movies about humans falling for robots, but a sci-fi rom-com on human/droid relationship is still rare. There’s something so charming and funny about the matter-of-fact way Maren Eggert‘s Alma responds to Tom… ‘Oh he’s not a man.’ And that bit when the shrink (or perhaps someone from the lab) confronts her that she’s been treating Tom like a machine is hilarious! Eggert won the Berlinale’s Silver Bear for her performance here.

Now, can we talk about just how multi-talented Dan Stevens is? My goodness, I had no idea he speaks German, but from a quick read on Wiki, the Brit is apparently fluent in German AND French. He’s not only super easy on the eyes but also proven to be such a versatile actor. He’s also got great comic talent on top of his dramatic chops, he’s such a scene-stealer in EuroVision and the dude has a nice singing voice as well as dance moves. Looks like his comic talents and charismatic presence is put to good use here and I’m glad he continues to do intriguing, off-the-beaten path projects.

Check out this clip where Tom first meet Alma and she starts quizzing him about spiritual, philosophical as well as math and Tom passed in flying colors, natch! At first glance, I’d jump at the chance to live for a few weeks with a robot who looks like Stevens (or my current crush Richard Madden) who’s been designed to be my perfect life partner, but in reality, I probably would be creeped out by a handsome plaything with no soul, ahah. As with any movie about humans + robots, I’m always intrigued by the thought-provoking dialog… after all, there’s always the pressing question about ‘what it means to be human.’

I haven’t seen a good rom-com lately and I often find European rom-coms are better and has more to say than most of what Hollywood churn out.

I’M YOUR MAN will be released in US theaters on September 24. Can’t wait!!

What do you think of the trailer? 

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