Is Anybody There? - Movie Review and Synopsis

Set in 1980s seaside England, this is the story of Edward, an unusual ten year old boy growing up in an old people’s home run by his parents. Whilst his mother struggles to keep the family business afloat, and his father copes with the onset of mid-life crisis, Edward is busy tape-recording the elderly residents to try and discover what happens when they die. Increasingly obsessed with ghosts and the afterlife, Edward’s is a rather lonely existence until he meets Clarence, the latest recruit to the home, a retired magician with a liberating streak of anarchy. Is There Anybody There? tells the surprising, touching story of this odd couple – a boy and an old man – facing life together, with Edward learning to live in the moment and Clarence coming to terms with the past.

The hype machine wants you to know this is “Michael Caine’s best performance,” which is as eye-brow raising as as Caine’s decision to star in that ill-advised remake of Sleuth a couple years back. (Really, my attention is on Caine’s co-star, Bill Milner, who was wonderful in the criminally passed over Son of Rambow. May their combined talent lend some weight to this drama and keep it out of soft ‘n’ dewey territory.

Rated PG-13 for language including sexual references, and some disturbing images.

Director: John Crowley
Stars: Michael Caine, Bill Milner
Studio: Big Beach
Release Date: 1 May 2009 (UK)