Watch Heartbeeps
- PG
- 1981
- 1 hr 19 min
-
4.2 (1,711)
In the futuristic world of Heartbeeps, technology has advanced to the point where robots are a commonplace household item. The film follows the journey of two robots, ValCom 17485 (played by Andy Kaufman) and AquaCom 89045 (Bernadette Peters), who find themselves abandoned by their respective companies and left to fend for themselves.
ValCom, a maintenance robot, and AquaCom, a service robot, are programmed to perform their designated tasks efficiently and without emotion. However, when they meet each other, they begin to develop a unique bond that defies their programming. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, exploring their emotions and questioning the limitations of their programming.
As they make their way through the world, ValCom and AquaCom encounter a variety of other robots, each with their own quirks and personalities. They meet Catskill (Randy Quaid), a heavy-duty construction robot who becomes their unlikely ally, and Ping Pong (Chris Anastasio), an entertainment robot who provides some comic relief.
Throughout their journey, ValCom and AquaCom struggle with their growing feelings of affection for one another, despite knowing that their relationship is considered inappropriate by societal standards. They also grapple with the realization that their existence is ultimately tied to the whims of their human creators, who may not always have their best interests in mind.
Heartbeeps is a unique blend of science fiction and romantic comedy, with Kaufman and Peters delivering nuanced and heartfelt performances as the lead robots. The film also features impressive practical effects and robot designs, showcasing the impressive technological advancements that were being explored in the early 1980s.
While Heartbeeps may not have been a box office success upon its initial release, it has since gained a cult following among fans of science fiction and offbeat cinema. The film's themes of self-discovery and questioning societal norms remain relevant today, and its portrayal of robots as complex beings with emotions and desires continues to resonate with audiences.
Heartbeeps is a 1981 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.