I’m Your Man deep dives in to the wants and needs of the human race – Dan Stevens is the standout, but the film overall is a bit slow and dull.
I’m Your Man is unafraid to dive into the needs and wants of the human race, as well as some difficult struggles that real people go through everyday. While the story is indeed an interesting one, the execution is not the best. Both leads have great chemistry and shine in their roles, but the length plays a factor in making this a very slow burn that some viewers might give up on part way through.
This story follows Alma (Maren Eggert) after she agrees to test a new A.I. program in which the perfect partner for people is created. Her research and findings will help to decide if these robots, for lack of a better word, will be able to get married, have jobs, and basically live normal lives. She is very against the idea of these machines, but will she eventually warm up to her perfect match Tom (Dan Stevens)?
What Works With I’m Your Man
Dan Stevens is an incredibly versatile actor — something he has proven time and time again. He plays a supervillain in Legion, a literal Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and even has a large role in Downton Abbey. So to play a complicated A.I. robot that was bred purely to be the perfect match for someone is not difficult for him at all. His delivery is fantastic, and even funny, as he learns the ins and outs of humanity.
One of the stand out things in I’m Your Man is the chemistry between the leads. Stevens is phenomenal, of course, but so is Eggert. Together they really are something special. Their relationship is awkward and strained at first, but then becomes something more. Tom tries his best to do whatever he can to please Alma, and she tries so very hard to not be pleased. The dynamic is great — very realistic.
The story explores human nature in a way that we haven’t seen a lot of on the big screen. There are differences between needs and wants, and us humans try to balance that for that most part. Seeing Tom learn and evolve as he figures it out is very interesting, indeed. There a depth here that is surprising and welcoming.
The Science Fiction aspect to the movie works as well. This is largely in part due to Stevens diving into his role as a robot with everything that he has.
What Doesn’t Work With I’m Your Man
I’m Your Man has been described as a romantic comedy, however that doesn’t seem like the right genre for it. Do not go into this one expecting a lot of laughs, because they are few and far between. Rather, this film is a slow burn of a drama, and a quite predictable one at that.
Sure, there are some funny parts, especially when Tom tries to fit in with humans, but there isn’t enough of it for it to be called a comedy. This is very much a drama. Anyone who is paying attention though, will have the end figured out in first thirty minutes or less, making the one hour and 45 minute runtime feel a lot longer than it actually is.
Unfortunately, for those who do not speak German, the subtitles pull you out of it all because you are looking at the bottom of the screen and not what is happening. It tends to create a bit of a rift in the experience. The dialogue is so important in this movie that it will ultimately work much better for German speaking audiences.
Overall Thoughts
The actual story, and the lessons learned, in I’m Your Man are intriguing and interesting. Both leads dive headfirst into their roles, and have great chemistry together, although Stevens is very clearly the standout.
The biggest issue with this movie is just how much of a slow burn it is, and the fact that the humor doesn’t always deliver. What could have been a much more interesting Romantic Comedy, sits firmly in the drama category. There is a depth to the film that is surprising, and will be well received. However, if you are willing to stick through it all, you won’t be disappointed.
A slow burn that relies a lot on the romantic, and not so much on the comedy. Stevens puts his all into this role, and is the reason it is worth watching.
About I’m Your Man
Recently separated forty-something Alma (the effervescent Maren Eggert, in her Berlinale award-winning performance) is a research scientist at Berlin’s magnificent Pergamon Museum, and entirely dedicated to her work. Needing research funds, she’s persuaded by her supervisor to participate in an extraordinary study: for three weeks she must live with a human-like robot designed solely to be her ideal companion.
Thus, after an exhaustive survey of her preferences, Alma is introduced to the unflappably upbeat Tom (Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens, in a revelatory performance), a handsome A.I. creation who’s programmed to adapt to her desires as they get to know each other, making him her perfect life partner.
Though thoroughly disinterested in Tom and dismissive of the project overall, Alma discovers that life can take us in unexpected directions…
