Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a haunting, philosophical sci-fi drama that blends emotion with existential questions about love, humanity, and what it means to be “real.” Originally developed by Stanley Kubrick and completed by Spielberg after Kubrick’s death, the film is a unique hybrid of their styles: emotionally rich, visually poetic, and philosophically loaded.
Detailed Summary
Opening: The Age of Mechas
In the future, melting polar ice caps have submerged coastal cities and drastically reduced the human population. Robotics corporations develop “Mechas”—sophisticated humanoid robots—to help with labor and emotional support. One such corporation, led by Professor Hobby (William Hurt), creates the first childlike android capable of unconditional love: David, played by Haley Joel Osment.
The Adoption of David
David is “adopted” by Henry and Monica Swinton, a couple whose biological son is in cryogenic sleep due to illness. After initial awkwardness, Monica activates David’s imprinting protocol—bonding him to her irrevocably. David grows to love Monica as his mother, echoing the emotional attachment of a human child. The emotional intimacy feels real, but we’re constantly reminded: he is programmed.
The Return of Martin and David’s Rejection
When their real son, Martin, is cured and returns home, sibling rivalry emerges. Martin manipulates David into dangerous situations, including an incident where David almost drowns at a pool party. Fearing for her son’s safety, Monica heartbreakingly abandons David in the woods rather than return him to the company to be destroyed. The image of David begging to stay is soul-crushing.
The Journey with Gigolo Joe
David meets Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), a charismatic Mecha built for companionship. Together, they journey through dark corners of humanity—abandoned amusement parks, underground flesh fairs (where outdated robots are destroyed for entertainment), and ruined cities—as David seeks the Blue Fairy from the story of Pinocchio, hoping she can make him a real boy so Monica will love him again.
Rouge City and the Quest for the Blue Fairy
Their quest leads them to the neon-lit, morally hazy Rouge City, and eventually to a submerged Manhattan. David discovers that his love was manufactured: he’s one of thousands of identical “David” models. In despair, he throws himself into the ocean and finds a statue of the Blue Fairy at the bottom of Coney Island. He sits before it for centuries, praying to be made real.
The Future and the End of Time
Two thousand years later, after humans have gone extinct, advanced Mecha beings discover David, frozen but intact. They restore him and reconstruct Monica from his memories for a single, perfect day. Monica wakes, spends time with David, and at day’s end, gently passes away again. The movie closes with David lying next to her, finally at peace.
Movie Ending
The ending is ambiguous and heavily debated. Some see it as a hopeful reunion. Others interpret it as a hallucination or tragic fantasy David creates in his dying moments. Either way, the film leaves a lasting emotional impact, blending melancholy with a faint glimmer of resolution.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, A.I. Artificial Intelligence does not have a post-credits scene. The film concludes definitively, with no hints at sequels or extended universe content.
Type of Movie
This is a sci-fi drama with strong philosophical and emotional themes. It’s also a fairy tale, inspired by Pinocchio, but seen through a dystopian lens.
Cast
- Haley Joel Osment as David
- Jude Law as Gigolo Joe
- Frances O’Connor as Monica Swinton
- Sam Robards as Henry Swinton
- William Hurt as Professor Hobby
- Brendan Gleeson as Lord Johnson-Johnson
Film Music and Composer
Composed by John Williams, the score is lyrical, emotional, and understated compared to his more bombastic works. It beautifully supports the film’s introspective tone, especially in its heartbreaking final scenes.
Filming Locations
- Seattle, Washington – Used for futuristic cityscapes
- California Sound Stages – Where much of the indoor and city scenes were filmed
- New York – Digitally recreated for the submerged ruins of Manhattan
These locations reflect humanity’s fallen grandeur, serving as a metaphor for both our technological advances and our moral failures.
Awards and Nominations
- Nominated for 2 Academy Awards: Best Visual Effects and Best Original Score
- Won several Saturn Awards, including Best Science Fiction Film and Best Performance by a Younger Actor (Haley Joel Osment)
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Originally developed by Stanley Kubrick, who handed it to Spielberg after realizing it required a child actor and emotional tone he felt unfit to direct.
- Haley Joel Osment never blinked on camera to appear more robotic.
- Jude Law’s dance moves were inspired by Fred Astaire.
- Spielberg wrote the final script himself—his first sole screenplay since Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Inspirations and References
- Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio is the primary inspiration.
- Heavily influenced by Kubrick’s vision of dystopian futures and existential inquiry.
- The film also reflects themes found in works like Blade Runner, Frankenstein, and Metropolis.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Spielberg maintains that the ending was always intended. However, there were early drafts where David simply shuts down next to the Blue Fairy, leaving a bleaker, more Kubrickian conclusion. Some cut scenes showed more detail on the future Mechas and their civilization.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is loosely based on Brian Aldiss’ short story “Supertoys Last All Summer Long”. The short story is more abstract, less emotional, and primarily focuses on the philosophical implications of artificial children.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- David imprinting on Monica
- The Flesh Fair destruction
- Gigolo Joe’s dance introduction
- David discovering thousands of replicas of himself
- The emotional final day with Monica
Iconic Quotes
- “I thought I was one of a kind.”
- “She loves what you do for her. As my customers love what I do for them. But she does not love you, David. She cannot love you. You are not real.”
- “I am. I was.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Blue Fairy’s location at Coney Island is a nod to Pinocchio’s Pleasure Island.
- The moon-shaped balloon used at the Flesh Fair is an allusion to the fake moon studio conspiracy around Kubrick and the moon landing.
- The submerged World Trade Center towers were still included, as the movie released pre-9/11.
Trivia
- Kubrick’s AI sketches date back to the early 1970s.
- Spielberg kept many of Kubrick’s design notes and incorporated them into the film.
- Robin Williams, Meryl Streep, and Chris Rock provided uncredited voice cameos.
- This was Haley Joel Osment’s last major film role as a child star.
Why Watch?
This is a deeply emotional, thought-provoking film that blends sci-fi spectacle with heartbreaking intimacy. It challenges our definitions of consciousness, love, and morality while delivering one of the most poignant AI stories in cinema history. Watch it when you’re in the mood for something introspective, slow-burning, and unforgettable.
Director’s Other Movies
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
- Minority Report (2002)
- War of the Worlds (2005)
- Ready Player One (2018)
- Schindler’s List (1993)
