Film: Companion

Back in London, this evening, I was thinking film again - and delighted to see that what was coming up - highest-rated that was showing when I could see it, and that I was interested in - was Companion. I hadn't much interest in this until I saw the trailer last Tuesday, and that it was from the makers of the excellent Barbarian.. it actually looks really innocent until you look deeper! "Deliciously wicked" it says in the trailer - and it did look it. Was looking forward to it! Curzon Aldgate again - and I booked for Cote St. Katharine Docks for after.

With an early-ish start time, I took a bus straight to the cinema - Google Maps told me to walk to Tower Bridge Road and catch a bus there, but as I noticed buses that would take me in that direction were imminent from where I was starting, I decided to wait for one, and save myself the walk; unlimited changes are allowed within an hour, for free. Worked out perfectly, I changed to another bus on Tower Bridge Road, and was early to the cinema. In fact, I had my snack and drink finished before the film started at all.

I debated about whether to mention it, but hell, it's in the trailers - our lead character is a robot ("sexbot", as one of the non-robotic characters calls her). She and Josh are in a loving relationship - until something happens at a gathering of friends in a lakehouse owned by a billionaire one weekend, and Josh reveals to her that she's.. non-human. Her memories of their first meeting are fake, and he controls all her settings - eye colour, the pitch of her voice, her intelligence levels, aggression..

She finds herself involved in some nefarious goings-on, which involve some highjinks, and plenty of interesting questions are raised relating to AI, and our relationship with technology in general - in this slightly futuristic society, the cars are self-driving (with a manual override capability), and when she escapes with Josh's phone, well, he's completely at sea (something we can all relate to!).

Now, interestingly, my boss recently gave a talk about AI at a lunch n learn at work, in which the upshot is that it's all terribly interesting, but it's not half as advanced as in the movies. And certainly, although there are responsive robots, they're currently a long way away from the level of technology presented in the film. Still, as I say, the ethical questions raised are interesting - how real should they appear, what are the implications of that, and how should we then treat them? Are they entitled to the same rights as humans? And what is people's reaction to them going to be..?

Not to mention some interesting points that are raised about relationships in general, and what it means to love someone. Gotta love the girl-power of this one robot's reaction to finding out how she's been used by the "love of her life".. Compelling stuff, very clever, and intermittently hilarious, this is one for anyone who is interested in tech. Helluva good film.

Walked to the restaurant afterwards, and was very well-fed - mind you, what with three courses, on top of the chocolate I'd had at the cinema, I was stuffed! (Appreciated the walk home, to work off some of it.) Interestingly, I'd tried for a 9pm booking but hadn't been able to get one - I chose 8.45pm instead, which I was slightly late for. No idea why I couldn't get 9pm - the place was practically empty, and a couple who came in at nearly 9.30pm were seated! and subsequently moved because they found it too cold "by the window". I was also by the window, albeit at the other end - no problem with cold down my end. Maybe I was more warmly dressed. Anyway, ironically, the conversation at the only other occupied table, which was near mine, was all about AI..

Next, three Meetups in a row. Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at last - we're headed to The Years, at the Harold Pinter - cheapest tickets from the official venue, as often happens. They're in the Balcony - I don't trust the legroom up there, so I'm in the front row of the Stalls; I'd rather a neck ache than cramped knees! and it's the same price. Another one with no interval, I see - that's really becoming a feature. Booked at Bella Italia Cranbourne Street this time - there's never been a problem with service there, and it's much more relaxed.

On Wednesday, I'm back with the 45+ Not Grumpies for Paul's February Pub Crawl. We're starting at the Lion & Unicorn in Waterloo Station, where we'll also eat, then heading - well, towards home for me, finishing at London Bridge! Very convenient.

And on Thursday, I'm with a new group, 45+ Solos Socializer, for a comedy night at Candlemaker Smok'd, which is a pub with a BBQ menu. Anyway, they do comedy too on Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays, and are offering 30% off bookings for both comedy and food until the 16th. Apparently, the organiser is booking a table for us all - we just have to worry about booking the comedy. I did ask to confirm that with him - no response yet..