Sleeper

Sleeper is a 1973 science fiction comedy film directed by Woody Allen, based on his 1973 television special of the same name. The film follows the story of Miles Monroe, a 20-year-old coffee shop waiter and a womanizer who works at a diner. Miles is a self-centered, egotistical young man who takes life too seriously, getting stressed out over worldly things. He is often seen daydreaming about how great he will be one day and how others will look up to him. Miles meets Luna Schlosser, a beautiful free-spirited woman who works at the diner, and they quickly fall in love. Luna has a more carefree and optimistic outlook on life, which contrasts greatly with Miles' cynical and materialistic worldview. Despite Luna's efforts to get Miles to see the beauty in life, Miles is initially resistant, and the two have an on-again, off-again relationship. However, Miles' life takes a drastic turn when he goes to the doctor for a routine check-up. The doctor puts him to sleep and gives him a "vitalis" injection, which turns out to be a cryonic preservative intended to freeze Miles' body and thaw him out in the future if he were to ever need major surgery or die. The doctor, not wanting to tell Miles the true nature of the procedure, tells him he is simply getting a nice, extended nap. Six hundred years later, Miles awakens in a futuristic world where humans have colonized other planets and the United States is on a different continent. He is taken to a government facility, where he meets a doctor who explains the situation to him. The doctor tells Miles that he has been thawed out 600 years in the future and that Earth is now populated by advanced robots and a highly advanced society. The doctor also warns Miles that he is now in danger and will have to go into hiding, as his thawing out was not supposed to happen yet. The doctor tells Miles that there is a plot by an evil president to take over the world and crush all forms of resistance. Miles agrees to help the resistance and soon discovers that he has a role to play in their fight against corruption. Miles meets a young woman named Luna (played by Diane Keaton), who bears an uncanny resemblance to his original Luna from the diner. The new Luna is the granddaughter of Luna Schlosser and has been programmed to look after Miles. She tries to get Miles to understand the changes in the world and help the resistance, while Miles is still struggling to come to terms with his new reality. As Miles navigates this bizarre world, he struggles to understand its complexities. He finds himself constantly frustrated with the societal norms and expectations of the future. He is shocked by the idea of sexless humans, robotic servants, and people living on Mars. Miles' initial stress and anxiety eventually give way to his old self, where he starts to care and even fall in love with his new Luna. However, Miles soon discovers that his "vitalis" injection had also caused him to lose his short-term memory. He remembers his life from 20 years ago perfectly, but everything beyond that has been erased. Miles must now adapt to his new life in the future while also trying to regain his memories of the past. Throughout the film, Woody Allen's signature wit and satire are on full display, poking fun at societal norms, politics, and technology. Sleeper is a masterclass in comedic writing, with Allen's clever dialogue and humor making it a timeless classic in the science fiction genre. In 1973, Sleeper was seen as a bold commentary on the technological advancements and societal changes happening at the time. The film's themes of technology-induced alienation and societal conformity remain relevant today. With its blend of humor, satire, and social commentary, Sleeper continues to entertain and challenge audiences, making it a must-see for anyone who appreciates science fiction and comedy.