Tim, A wonderful essay. Thank you for sharing. Every time I watch A.I., it solidifies its place on my personal top 10 list. I have a hard time explaining to friends who dislike -- even hate -- the movie so much why I like it so much. Your essay will help in that regard. --- Saw Disclosure Day yesterday. Its final scene may be Spielberg's best since A.I. I actually teared up, partly for the scene itself, but mostly because my mind wandered to June 1975, the first time I saw/heard the Spielberg/WIlliams collaboration, and feeling that this one will be the last.
I only saw this movie this year, in my childless mid-40s- *after* seeing 'The Fablemans.' So I feel like I got the completely wrong context. XD And for most of it, while I thought it was well made and thematically strong and imaginative and all that, I also thought it wasn't working for me. I was at a distance.
Then I got to the ending (specifically the part where we're 0:48s into "The Reunion" on the soundtrack) and I started choking up. John Williams is good, but he's not so good that he can't make me cry by himself, so clearly the movie was working on me with more subtlety than I thought. For that, while I do *like* other Spielberg movies more, I have to consider this one perhaps his best.
Thanks for sharing such a powerful reaction to the movie, and taking us on this countdown journey! It's been a consistently great and engaging read!
Thank you! This one really does sneak up and rip your throat out, doesn't it? It has spoiled me on most other movies, which fail to do that. This is one of the few films I've ever seen that truly makes me sob.
WOW. Incredible work here, Tim. Thank you for bearing your soul. Time to give this film another shot. I've only seen it twice. Once in my teens and another time shortly before my first child was born. Like you, I was accustomed to Spielberg's soaring adventures and his more dramatic historical works. But even in those, there was a redemptive aspect to them. I wasn't able to pin down my discomfort with A.I. for a long time. "Why was it so... bleak?" As I've gotten older and have had my own belief journey, I've had to sit in the grey uncertainties of life more and more. But I've found beauty and genuine happiness in the relationships I've made with people and communities I've encountered along the way. We can look back and see our own personal Teddys, Joes, and Blue Fairies who may not have had all the answers, but have been there with us. That aspect I find deeply moving. Sure, it can be cliché, but "the friends we made along the way" trope rings true for me.
P.S. - The expanded LaLaLand Release of John Williams' score really helped open my eyes to what was occurring in the story, btw. I'm sure that was a "Holy Grail" release for you!
Thank you! It's funny that some people see this film as totally bleak and hopeless, and meanwhile it just completely floods my heart with warmth and beauty.
What a beautiful personal essay to end the series with - I feel privileged that you shared it with us. I had presumed ever since reading your book that this would be number one, but have been intensely curious as to WHY this movie means so much to you- and now I know. I won't go too much into my own views of the film (I still owe you an essay on why Empire of the Sun doesn't work for me, which is in progress!), other than to note that I always felt that my favorite character - Gigolo Joe - actually hurts the movie in my eyes. If one of the key question is whether AIs can feel, grow, exceed their programming - whether David is feeling something real or just caught in a endless programming loop - Joe undermines it, as he CLEARLY grows past any programming he has - by being loyal to David, by going back to rescue him in Rouge City, and by making choses where he is essentially sacrificing himself (I find his last line piercing).. That damages the movie for me - if AI like Joe can grow past their programming, so then the questions around David get muddied (in my view only, of course!) That said, this movie is one that fascinates me - if it's your next book, I'll buy it the microsecond it's available- I don't love it, but its ambitions and art are undeniable. One side effect of your essay is that I very much want to see it again (although I may wait to see if there is a well-deserved 4K version later this year). Thank you Tim, for each of these essays - they have been heartfelt, personal, funny, thrilling and nostalgic. Many of us may have personal stories about why we feel so connected to Spielberg/Williams, but I don't believe any of us are likely to be as articulate, clear, entertaining and as brave and personal as you've consistently been. Whatever my hopes were for your "top 10" project were, you've far exceeded them at every step. Bravo!
I've obviously given a lot of thought to why this movie means what it does to me, but at the end of the day it's almost just a chemistry thing. I take your point about Joe's character, and while I don't think that is a flaw in the film, it would've been interesting to explore that aspect in a deeper way.
Bravo, Tim. That’s quite a climax to your odyssey. Thank you for sharing.
I will be very intrigued to read your thoughts on Steven and John’s 30th film (not to brag, but I have seen it twice now, from a very privileged position, and several of your thoughts expressed here in your account about A.I. have resonances… perhaps you’ve seen it, too).
Well said, Tim. I'm quite an admirer of A.I., too - and like you, I have a stuffed “Teddy” in my home that says all sorts of amusing things. My experience at the Village Theater in Westwood Village in 2001 was similar to yours. When the final act unfolded, particularly the part where Teddy produces the lock of hair and David realizes the mechas can bring his mother back, I got completely choked up. So much so, I was struggling to swallow, I was so moved. Fortunately, that part was short-lived, but the emotional impact has lasted ever since. The tears I shed that afternoon truly affected me. I don't often cry, either, but the sublime Spielberg / Williams creation really got to me. A.I. is a very underrated film - one that certainly will be revisited and reassessed by many in the coming years.
I finally met Spielberg back in 2011 when I worked at Paramount. I wish I had thought to tell him how much his film impressed me, but I was a little starstruck. He was incredibly kind and gracious, much like Williams – who I have met on three occasions (twice at the Bowl and once at a signing at the Culver City Costco!). I have photos with both and they are treasures. How I will miss them when they are gone.
Wonderfully written - thank you for sharing your personal connection. I watched the movie several times in theaters when it was released. The first audience clapped at the end in appreciation. During the second viewing, the audience turned against and was laughing during the last 20 minutes or so. It felt like the Blue Ferry (Meryl Streep) exposition is where the movie kind of teeters and you either go along with it and get the pay off or you don't. But it was a fascinating look into group dynamics I suppose.
So many great musical moments - the ending being my favorite - but another one that stands out for me was the lyrical theme that is used during the dialog with David and future intelligence, "The Specialist Visits." Such a great example of how John Williams can score dialog scenes with such powerful subtlety. Almost like the dialog was written to match the music and not visa versa - where every ebb and flow musically matches the ebb and flow of the dialog and performances.
That's such a great point. The trifecta of the underwater prayer to the Blue Fairy, the conversation with the Blue Fairy, and the conversation with the "specialist" are some of my favorite cues John ever wrote, and I totally know what you're saying about them dancing with the dialogue so perfectly.
Excellent reflection. Another great film and score. I heard the film is getting a 4K Blu-ray restoration sometime this year for the film’s 25th anniversary. The Blu-ray is great, but I hope this is true. Thanks for this, Tim. Only three days left until Disclosure Day!!!
Tim, A wonderful essay. Thank you for sharing. Every time I watch A.I., it solidifies its place on my personal top 10 list. I have a hard time explaining to friends who dislike -- even hate -- the movie so much why I like it so much. Your essay will help in that regard. --- Saw Disclosure Day yesterday. Its final scene may be Spielberg's best since A.I. I actually teared up, partly for the scene itself, but mostly because my mind wandered to June 1975, the first time I saw/heard the Spielberg/WIlliams collaboration, and feeling that this one will be the last.
Thank you very much! There are interesting echoes between Disclosure Day and A.I., both in the score and the film. And yes... lots of emotions.
I only saw this movie this year, in my childless mid-40s- *after* seeing 'The Fablemans.' So I feel like I got the completely wrong context. XD And for most of it, while I thought it was well made and thematically strong and imaginative and all that, I also thought it wasn't working for me. I was at a distance.
Then I got to the ending (specifically the part where we're 0:48s into "The Reunion" on the soundtrack) and I started choking up. John Williams is good, but he's not so good that he can't make me cry by himself, so clearly the movie was working on me with more subtlety than I thought. For that, while I do *like* other Spielberg movies more, I have to consider this one perhaps his best.
Thanks for sharing such a powerful reaction to the movie, and taking us on this countdown journey! It's been a consistently great and engaging read!
Thank you! This one really does sneak up and rip your throat out, doesn't it? It has spoiled me on most other movies, which fail to do that. This is one of the few films I've ever seen that truly makes me sob.
WOW. Incredible work here, Tim. Thank you for bearing your soul. Time to give this film another shot. I've only seen it twice. Once in my teens and another time shortly before my first child was born. Like you, I was accustomed to Spielberg's soaring adventures and his more dramatic historical works. But even in those, there was a redemptive aspect to them. I wasn't able to pin down my discomfort with A.I. for a long time. "Why was it so... bleak?" As I've gotten older and have had my own belief journey, I've had to sit in the grey uncertainties of life more and more. But I've found beauty and genuine happiness in the relationships I've made with people and communities I've encountered along the way. We can look back and see our own personal Teddys, Joes, and Blue Fairies who may not have had all the answers, but have been there with us. That aspect I find deeply moving. Sure, it can be cliché, but "the friends we made along the way" trope rings true for me.
P.S. - The expanded LaLaLand Release of John Williams' score really helped open my eyes to what was occurring in the story, btw. I'm sure that was a "Holy Grail" release for you!
Thank you! It's funny that some people see this film as totally bleak and hopeless, and meanwhile it just completely floods my heart with warmth and beauty.
What a beautiful personal essay to end the series with - I feel privileged that you shared it with us. I had presumed ever since reading your book that this would be number one, but have been intensely curious as to WHY this movie means so much to you- and now I know. I won't go too much into my own views of the film (I still owe you an essay on why Empire of the Sun doesn't work for me, which is in progress!), other than to note that I always felt that my favorite character - Gigolo Joe - actually hurts the movie in my eyes. If one of the key question is whether AIs can feel, grow, exceed their programming - whether David is feeling something real or just caught in a endless programming loop - Joe undermines it, as he CLEARLY grows past any programming he has - by being loyal to David, by going back to rescue him in Rouge City, and by making choses where he is essentially sacrificing himself (I find his last line piercing).. That damages the movie for me - if AI like Joe can grow past their programming, so then the questions around David get muddied (in my view only, of course!) That said, this movie is one that fascinates me - if it's your next book, I'll buy it the microsecond it's available- I don't love it, but its ambitions and art are undeniable. One side effect of your essay is that I very much want to see it again (although I may wait to see if there is a well-deserved 4K version later this year). Thank you Tim, for each of these essays - they have been heartfelt, personal, funny, thrilling and nostalgic. Many of us may have personal stories about why we feel so connected to Spielberg/Williams, but I don't believe any of us are likely to be as articulate, clear, entertaining and as brave and personal as you've consistently been. Whatever my hopes were for your "top 10" project were, you've far exceeded them at every step. Bravo!
Thank you so much! That's very kind.
I've obviously given a lot of thought to why this movie means what it does to me, but at the end of the day it's almost just a chemistry thing. I take your point about Joe's character, and while I don't think that is a flaw in the film, it would've been interesting to explore that aspect in a deeper way.
Bravo, Tim. That’s quite a climax to your odyssey. Thank you for sharing.
I will be very intrigued to read your thoughts on Steven and John’s 30th film (not to brag, but I have seen it twice now, from a very privileged position, and several of your thoughts expressed here in your account about A.I. have resonances… perhaps you’ve seen it, too).
If you need any help with your Supertoys book, I’d be happy to share. It was a profound experience for me covering that film. A small clip about my journeys with David and Teddy linked here: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/e3738d0f-833d-4f62-b328-6ca6d532dab7/downloads/201ff113-0a67-40a4-a717-aef55bc2e29a/CinefexAI.pdf
Best wishes,
Joe
Wow, thank you Joe! I have indeed seen it twice, and will be posting my thoughts here on Tuesday.
Looking forward to reading your frontline report on A.I.!
Well said, Tim. I'm quite an admirer of A.I., too - and like you, I have a stuffed “Teddy” in my home that says all sorts of amusing things. My experience at the Village Theater in Westwood Village in 2001 was similar to yours. When the final act unfolded, particularly the part where Teddy produces the lock of hair and David realizes the mechas can bring his mother back, I got completely choked up. So much so, I was struggling to swallow, I was so moved. Fortunately, that part was short-lived, but the emotional impact has lasted ever since. The tears I shed that afternoon truly affected me. I don't often cry, either, but the sublime Spielberg / Williams creation really got to me. A.I. is a very underrated film - one that certainly will be revisited and reassessed by many in the coming years.
I finally met Spielberg back in 2011 when I worked at Paramount. I wish I had thought to tell him how much his film impressed me, but I was a little starstruck. He was incredibly kind and gracious, much like Williams – who I have met on three occasions (twice at the Bowl and once at a signing at the Culver City Costco!). I have photos with both and they are treasures. How I will miss them when they are gone.
Thank you for sharing all of this, and I'm glad you join me in the church of convulsive crying over this movie!
Wonderfully written - thank you for sharing your personal connection. I watched the movie several times in theaters when it was released. The first audience clapped at the end in appreciation. During the second viewing, the audience turned against and was laughing during the last 20 minutes or so. It felt like the Blue Ferry (Meryl Streep) exposition is where the movie kind of teeters and you either go along with it and get the pay off or you don't. But it was a fascinating look into group dynamics I suppose.
So many great musical moments - the ending being my favorite - but another one that stands out for me was the lyrical theme that is used during the dialog with David and future intelligence, "The Specialist Visits." Such a great example of how John Williams can score dialog scenes with such powerful subtlety. Almost like the dialog was written to match the music and not visa versa - where every ebb and flow musically matches the ebb and flow of the dialog and performances.
That's such a great point. The trifecta of the underwater prayer to the Blue Fairy, the conversation with the Blue Fairy, and the conversation with the "specialist" are some of my favorite cues John ever wrote, and I totally know what you're saying about them dancing with the dialogue so perfectly.
❤️❤️❤️
Excellent reflection. Another great film and score. I heard the film is getting a 4K Blu-ray restoration sometime this year for the film’s 25th anniversary. The Blu-ray is great, but I hope this is true. Thanks for this, Tim. Only three days left until Disclosure Day!!!
Thank you! I'm dying to get that 4K.