Renner review

By Mark Hockley

A computer genius creates an AI life coach to help him find love.

A contained drama set within an apartment building and featuring only four characters. The story maintains attention due to strong performances from Violett Beane and particularly, Frankie Muniz (of Malcolm In the Middle). 

Playing the title character, Renner, Muniz convinces as the nerdy, neat freak tech wizard. His AI invention (voiced by the ever excellent Marcia Gay Harden) pushes him to be more assertive and take control of his life. Violet Beane plays Jamie, the object of his romantic aspirations. She manages to be sympathetic, while also conveying that something is just a little off. The only other actor with any meaningful screen time is Taylor Gray as Chad, Jamie’s supposed brother. He is fine, but the movie belongs to the two leads and they are certainly the best thing about this feature. 

Ultimately, things do lose momentum in the last half an hour, becoming far less compelling, complete with an extended torture sequence. I preferred the initial examination of an emotionally damaged man, attempting to find a human connection. The true motivations of Beane’s girl next door are somewhat predictable and the way the story wraps things up felt rushed and unsatisfying. 

On a technical level, everything looks good and director Robert Rippberger keeps the movie visually interesting, despite being confined to so few interiors.

As AI is such an on-trend topic, there was  more that could have been done with this scenario. Even so, this is a relatively effective character piece that focuses on human frailty, rather than the power of the machine.

Although some story choices didn’t work for me, there were enough small moments between the characters that kept me engaged. All in all, Renner is a decent small scale, tragic love story with an AI twist.