Marriage Unplugged

Sisters Florine and Kim Nuesch write and direct this short sci-fi drama that stars Nikki Amuka-Bird, Nicholas Gleaves and Sven Ironside.

Set in the near future, the story follows middle-aged, childless couple Suzanna (Amuka-Bird) and Andrew (Gleaves), whose relationship is currently unstable and they decide to purchase a sex robot, a machine with a human appearance, whose purpose is to sexually satisfy people. They end up choosing an android named James (Ironside) who has the physical appearance of a young man and they bring him (or it?) home. Things take an unexpected turn as James eventually begins to affects their lives in unanticipated ways.

This film begins as an adult comedy, before moving towards much more serious territories. As James enters their lives, it becomes evident that this is an unhappy marriage, with Suzanna and Andrew being unable to connect. James is unable to satisfy either one of them, however, he manages to build a sort of father-and-son rapport with Andrew, while Suzanna becomes distant. By accident, the arrival of James has revealed the flaws in the couple's marriage and (to a degree), making them both reflect on their troubled relationship. There are awkward moments and a great deal of drama, including a heated argument that gives Suzanna and Andrew an opportunity to be honest about their emotions. The atmosphere is supported by Matthias Biermann's poignant music and Martyna Jakimowska's sombre cinematography.

Suzanna and Andrew clearly are a couple that have lost meaningful connection between them and Amuka-Bird and Gleaves portray them as characters with deep wounds. Suzanna is a workaholic, the main breadwinner of the household, whose determination to focus on her job seems to have damaged her marriage. Andrew, a dental hygienist, is unhappy because he does not have something that he deeply lungs for and his interactions with James appear to be compensating for that. At least to a degree. Ironside is quite convincing as an android, with no facial axpressions, a robotic voice and often remaining motionless. As he plays a product created for sexual gratification, his character spends the majority of his screen time unclothed. Starting off as a sex machine, James subsequently seems to be expressing an interest in human activities such as shaving and playing ball games. More crucially, he unwillingly ends up disclosing the troubles in the couple's marriage.

From a certain perspective, this film is about technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence affecting people's lives. A limited part concerns sexual desires, however, the primary themes involve marriage, understanding, connections, self-reflection and regrets.

A sci-fi film that mixes technology with the values and complications of marriage. It tells the story of a couple who are together in spite of having different perspectives regarding life and the result is a dramatic and thoughtful viewing.