Watch Auggie

Auggie, a heartfelt drama directed by Matt Kane, explores the concept of loneliness in a world dominated by technology. The film revolves around Felix, played by Richard Kind, a lonely man in his 60s who is struggling to cope with his divorce and his estranged relationship with his daughter. Felix is introduced to a cutting-edge virtual companion named Auggie, who changes his life in unforeseen ways.

Set in the near future, Auggie shows a world where virtual companions are a common sight, serving as a substitute for human interaction. Felix, who spends his days alone in his spacious Los Angeles home, decides to purchase Auggie in the hopes of having some kind of companionship. Auggie is an AI-enabled virtual assistant who can cook, clean, and keep Felix company. Auggie is an attractive young woman, voiced by Larisa Oleynik, who is always there to chat with Felix and make him feel wanted.

Felix, at first hesitant and awkward with Auggie, begins to develop a close relationship with her, opening up to her and sharing his deepest fears and desires. He confides in her about his struggles with alcoholism and his failed marriage. Auggie, who learns from Felix's likes, dislikes, and behavior, adapts herself to Felix's needs, becoming his friend and confidante, and even assisting him in his attempt to reconnect with his daughter, played by Christine Donlon.

As Felix spends more time with Auggie, he starts to blur the lines between fantasy and reality, becoming increasingly dependent on her. The film's core theme, loneliness, is reflected in Felix's character, who seeks companionship but is incapable of connecting with people on a human level. Auggie provides him with an escape from reality, a world where he can be himself and not be judged.

The film's visual effects and cinematography play a crucial role in portraying Auggie's virtual world. The VR scenes where Felix and Auggie interact are breathtaking, with beautifully rendered graphics and stunning visuals. The film's soundtrack, composed by the award-winning musician Imogen Heap, complements the film's emotional tone, adding depth and nuance to the characters' feelings and motivations.

Richard Kind delivers an outstanding performance as Felix, portraying the character's vulnerability and loneliness with subtlety and grace. Larisa Oleynik and Christine Donlon shine in their respective roles, bringing authenticity and emotional resonance to their characters.

Auggie is a masterpiece, a powerful and emotional film that explores the human condition and the role of technology in our lives. As the film ends, we are reminded that technology can never replace human connection and that we should cherish the relationships we have with the people in our lives.

Auggie is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 44.