(Steven Speilberg, US/UK 2001, 146 min., DCP)
One of Kubrick’s unrealized projects was A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, later brought to the screen by Steven Spielberg. Kubrick first approached Spielberg to direct the film, with Kubrick producing, in 1985. While the technology was never sufficient to realize Kubrick’s vision during his lifetime, he was impressed with the computer-generated effects in Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, when he was reinvigorated by the project. After Kubrick’s death, his wife asked Spielberg to take over the project of an artificial boy who loses his family and goes on a quest to find love and acceptance. Misunderstood as both a Spielberg and a Kubrick project at the time of its release, the film has gained an immense following and occupies a significant place in both directors’ careers, and stands as an exemplar of what can happen when two cinematic giants collaborate.
