Finch

"Finch" is a post-apocalyptic science fiction drama that follows Finch Weinberg, a robotics engineer and one of the last known humans on a desolate Earth. For fifteen years since a catastrophic solar flare destroyed the ozone layer, making the sun's radiation deadly, Finch has lived in a subterranean bunker with his dog, Goodyear. Knowing he is dying from radiation poisoning, Finch's primary concern is ensuring Goodyear will be cared for after he is gone.

To this end, he builds a highly intelligent and sentient robot, Jeff, and imbues it with a vast amount of knowledge, its primary directive being to protect and care for Goodyear. When a massive, prolonged storm threatens their shelter, the trio must embark on a perilous cross-country journey in a modified RV, heading west toward San Francisco. Along the way, the still-learning and child-like Jeff must quickly grasp the nuances of survival, the complexities of human emotion, and the profound bond between a man and his dog, all while under the tutelage of the increasingly frail Finch.

The central message of "Finch" revolves around the enduring power of love, connection, and hope in the face of utter desolation. It posits that the essence of humanity isn't merely about survival, but about the legacies we leave behind through acts of care and the knowledge we pass on. The film suggests that even when humanity is gone, the values of compassion, loyalty, and love can be taught and can persist. Finch's desperate, selfless act of creating a protector for his dog becomes a testament to the idea that our purpose can be found in ensuring the well-being of those we love, transcending our own mortality. The film is ultimately a hopeful, albeit bittersweet, meditation on what truly matters at the end of the world: not just surviving, but ensuring that the best parts of our nature endure.

While the primary reading of "Finch" is a straightforward story of love and legacy, some interpretations delve deeper into its allegorical layers. One perspective views the film as a metaphor for parenthood. Finch, as the dying 'father,' must prepare his 'child,' Jeff, for a world without him, teaching him the skills and values necessary to be independent and compassionate. Jeff's rapid learning and eventual maturity mirror the compressed timeline a terminally ill parent might face.

Another interpretation sees the film as a commentary on humanity's relationship with technology and nature. Finch, a robotics engineer, represents humanity's ingenuity. He creates Jeff to solve a problem—the care of his dog. However, the true success is not in the technology itself, but in its capacity to learn empathy. The ending, where Jeff and Goodyear find a recovering natural world and signs of other humans, could be seen as a hopeful message that technology and nature (and humanity) can ultimately coexist and move forward together after a period of destruction.

Released directly to streaming on Apple TV+, "Finch" was part of a trend of major films bypassing theatrical releases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critically, it was received as a heartfelt and well-acted, if somewhat predictable, science fiction drama. The film's primary cultural resonance comes from its place within the Tom Hanks canon, drawing frequent comparisons to his role in 'Cast Away' due to the theme of a man finding companionship in a non-human entity while in isolation. It leans into a more hopeful and sentimental corner of the post-apocalyptic genre, contrasting with the grimmer fare often seen. While not a groundbreaking narrative, its poignant exploration of humanity, legacy, and the human-animal bond, extended to an AI, struck a chord with audiences looking for emotional, character-driven stories. The film serves as a thoughtful commentary on what endures when civilization collapses, suggesting that love and the need to care for others are the ultimate drivers of existence.

Audiences generally responded positively to "Finch," largely praising Tom Hanks's performance, which was widely seen as the film's emotional anchor. Viewers found the story to be heartwarming, poignant, and emotionally resonant, particularly the relationships between Finch, Jeff, and Goodyear. The film was often described as a 'tearjerker' with a hopeful message. The main points of criticism from some viewers centered on the plot's predictability and a perceived lack of conflict or stakes, with some finding the narrative too simplistic or sentimental. The dynamic between the naive robot and the grumpy human was a highlight for many, but others felt it tread familiar ground seen in other science fiction films. Overall, the verdict was that of a touching and well-crafted, if not revolutionary, story made compelling by its central performances.