Watch According to Protocol

According to Protocol is a 1984 American comedy movie directed by David Lowell Rich and starring Michael Brandon, Sônia Braga, and Alan Feinstein. The film is set up as a political satire and takes cues from the Cold War era, where a government employee must team up with a rebellious scientist to thwart an international conspiracy.

The movie begins with a political meeting, where the main character US Senate aide Frank Jones (played by Michael Brandon) is appointed to assist the U.S. Embassy in Romania amid the country's oppressive communist government. Jones is sent to Romania to coordinate the visit of a high-profile senator and to oversee a sensitive robotics experiment. Once in Bucharest, Jones, who is a by-the-book bureaucrat, finds himself at odds with his Romanian counterpart Galina (Sônia Braga) who greatly values protocol even if it hinders progress.

As Jones settles into his new role, he becomes increasingly irritated by the bureaucratic delays and dissatisfied with the limitations that the technology the embassy is using has, which is set up using very old protocols. This desire to improve the situation pushes him to seek out expert help. However, things take a more sinister turn when it's revealed that the Romanian government is not interested in developing the robotics for peaceful purposes but instead building fully autonomous robot soldiers to be sold to the highest bidder. Jones then finds out that he may not be able to trust his co-workers from his native country, and he must find a way to stop the foreign powers from acquiring these robotic killing machines.

The film's key themes revolve around the importance of progress, bureaucracy, moral detachment of the US government, and political intrigue. According to Protocol's depiction of the government as a world-weary institution is both funny and dead-on accurate, and it makes for some hilarious, as well as sobering moments.

One of the most interesting aspects of According to Protocol is its focus on the cultural differences that can exist between countries. US Senator aide Jones is a go-getter who values progress over protocol while the Romanian scientist Galina insists on protocol and obedience over innovation. Through their interactions, several scenes highlight these differences and provide the audience with an insight into how different countries operate. The film points to the fact that being stuck in one's ways can be a significant obstacle to progress.

Another striking component of the movie is the skillful way in which it deals with the topic of robotic autonomy. The concept of robotic autonomy has been a topic of interest and concern in the years since the movie's release. This film can be viewed as a precursor of a coming age where autonomous weapons will likely become commonplace. The film's portrayal of how easily rogue states can acquire weapons of war, even weapons that don't exist yet, is a worrisome reminder of the constant threat of arms proliferation.

Overall, Despite being over three decades old, According to Protocol remains a funny and medium-effective political satire that touches on several international themes that are still relevant today. Despite some minor flaws, the movie's ability to convey its message in an entertaining, tongue-in-cheek way makes it a must-see for anyone interested in political farce or Cold War-era satire.

According to Protocol is a documentary with a runtime of 50 minutes.