Heartbeeps
1981 · United States · 75 min
- Director
- Allan Arkush
- Screenplay
- John Hill
- Producer
- Michael Phillips
- Music
- John Williams
- Editing
- Tina Hirsch
- Production company
- Universal Pictures
Awards: · 1 nominations
What the critics say
0 % Rotten Tomatoes positive reviewsCast
What it is about
Val and Aqua are two service robots, designed for tasks as different as parking cars and hosting poolside parties. When they meet in a factory awaiting repairs, a romance grows between them, prompting them to escape and explore the world on their own. Their flight becomes a search for a place to live, while they deal with the practical challenges of keeping themselves running. The film blends this journey with absurd humor and a love story between machines.
How it was made
Allan Arkush directed the film from a script by John Hill. The director envisioned a sentimental romance closer to the films of Frank Borzage, while the studio wanted a wacky comedy, a tension that shaped the final tone. Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters led the cast, joined by Randy Quaid, Kenneth McMillan and Melanie Mayron. Universal saw the project as a test of whether Kaufman could carry a film, and shooting was halted by a Screen Actors Guild strike in the summer of 1980. John Williams composed the score, and Stan Winston's makeup work was the most recognized technical contribution.
Reception and legacy
Heartbeeps was lambasted by critics and failed at the box office. Its nomination for Best Makeup at the first Academy Awards in that category was its main recognition, though it lost to An American Werewolf in London. Today it is remembered mainly as Andy Kaufman's final theatrical film, which has drawn retrospective attention that its original reception never gave it.
Stills
Trailer
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Trivia
Kaufman's final film
It was Andy Kaufman's last theatrical performance. Universal used it to test whether he could carry a feature film.
An unexpected voice
Jerry Garcia provided the voice of a robot using guitar effects.
More films by Allan Arkush
Rock 'n' Roll High School
Caddyshack IIOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.