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Released 1st May 1009
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Director John Crowley and writer Peter Harness’s modest but heartfelt drama offers engrossing performances from two very different, but very watchable actors - Sir Michael Caine and Bill Milner - from entirely different generations. They sensitively explore the issues of life and death with a touch of humour at times, passing on wisdom and insight gained through very different eyes on the world to each other to help ‘heal’ each other’s wounds.
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Initially, their connection is death because of young, introverted Edward’s (Milner) odd and morbid fascination with recording the final moments of the dearly departed at his parents’ care home. Elderly retired magician Clarence (Caine) who reluctantly comes to live with them is still morning the death of his estranged but beloved wife. However, as the story unfolds, both breathe new life into each other to help release each other’s burdens, and solace and a connection to others to appear.
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Caine gives one of the most heartfelt portrayals of old age with such effortless ease that it makes him a joy to watch. Clarence is not a particularly pleasant character to start with, but we forgive first impressions because there is so much that he has lost through bitterness and living in the past that gives him an appealing emotional vulnerability. Milner shows what he is truly made of, making him one of the most exciting young actors of the future, and taking on the challenge of working opposite one of cinema’s greats with such believability and professionalism, delivering such an accomplishment that is wise before his years.
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Caine has remarked that this was his best filming-making experience of his whole career. We agree, as with maturity obviously comes more remarkable performances, as this seasoned pro expertly delves into the mindset of a man in the winter years of his life, but has more to give before meeting his maker. With some interesting supporting characters from David Morrissey and Anne-Marie Duff as Edward’s struggling parents, and some delightful cameos from some beloved English actors such as Leslie Phillips, Elizabeth Spriggs and others, this is a gem of British film-making that does what home-grown films do so well - fully explore the relationship intricacies with a flavour of humour, but British reserve to the whole affair.
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By Lisa Keddie
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Synopsis
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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 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.
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Film Facts
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Official site: http://www.isanybodythere.co.uk/
UK Release Date: 1st May 2009
Director: John Crowley
Writer: Peter Harness
Cast: Michael Caine (’Clarence‘), Bill Milner (’Edward’), David Morrissey (’Dad’), Anne-Marie Duff (’Mum’), Leslie Phillips (’Reg’), Rosemary Harris (’Elsie’), Peter Vaughan (’Bob’), Elizabeth Spriggs (’Prudence’)
Distributor: Optimum Releasing
Certificate: 12A
Run-time: 94 mins
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Video on Real.com
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Trailer:
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REAL EXCLUSIVE: Bill Milner Interview:
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