Finch is a master class in acting from Tom Hanks. Unlike his last solo film, Castaway, Hanks has someone, or rather, something, to play off of with his robot creation… Jeff. Jeff is voiced by Caleb Landry Jones with so much gravitas you actually start to believe that he has a human mind.
I wasn’t expecting Finch to be such a dramatic film. While it was listed as a dramatic film, I was expecting a very different sci-fi film and I wasn’t disappointed by where this film went. The reason why Finch, a roboticist, builds Jeff is to take care of his fur baby before radiation slowly takes his life. As a first time dog owner, I can see why he’d want something, or someone, to look after his best friend.
Having to leave their sanctuary, Jeff must learn the ropes of how to survive the post-apocalyptic world, as well as, learn how to take care of Goodyear, the dog. Jeff loves story time and learns from them, including the several mistakes he makes on their journey.
Their adventure to the west helps Jeff learn what it’s like to be alive and develop the trust with Goodyear (who’s not exactly a robot lover). It’s a relationship much like that of parent and child that is endearing.
The direction by Miguel Sapochnik really helps suck you into the world they created and the connection Finch and Jeff have.
