How to Build a Better Boy
2014 · Directed by Paul Hoen
Original language: English
- family
- science fiction
- tv movie
The story
After inadvertently inputting the qualities of the ideal boyfriend into a high-tech government computer, two social outcasts named Mae and Gabby must contend with Albert, a cybernetic sweetheart with only one directive: to treat Mae to the perfect highschool romance.
What it’s like
Bright, flat, evenly lit suburban interiors with the saturated, glossy sheen of a Disney Channel original: school hallways, bedrooms, and a teen-lab set that all look clean and a little too tidy. The camera stays conventional and fast-cut, with plenty of two-shots and reaction close-ups during the awkward moments, and the score is bouncy synth-pop that keeps the energy up. Its vibe is light, sunny and goofy, the kind of easy watch for a lazy weekend afternoon or a sleepover with friends. The tone is playful and warm, with the comic friction between a robot who takes everything literally and two teens who would rather be left alone. Mae and Gabby both move from feeling sidelined toward confidence and a bit of self-acceptance, and the romance stays sweet and chaste. Intensity is very low: no violence or gore, a little mild peril, and no sexual content, just teen-level embarrassment and slapstick. It suits younger teens, families, and anyone wanting a breezy, undemanding comedy with a gentle heart.
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