RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / Is Anybody There?
Is Anybody There?

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Is Anybody There? (2009)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
66 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:114

Fresh:75

Rotten:39

Average Rating:6.3/10

Consensus: Though Michael Caine gives an excellent performance, Is Anybody There? features a cliche-filled story that ultimately falters.

Australian Rating: TBC

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Dramas

Australian Theatrical Release:
Jun 4, 2009 Wide

US Box Office: $1,988,165

Synopsis: Growing up and growing old never played so poignantly as it does in John Crowley’s IS ANYBODY THERE? The film grapples with the sad truths of getting older and losing loved ones, all the while... Growing up and growing old never played so poignantly as it does in John Crowley’s IS ANYBODY THERE? The film grapples with the sad truths of getting older and losing loved ones, all the while maintaining a sardonic wit and sincere warmth. Coming of age in a family-run rest home, the reclusive, death-obsessed Edward (Bill Milner, SON OF RAMBOW) wiles away his days tormenting his parents’ elderly residents and secretly tape-recording them in search of answers about the afterlife. Edward finds a kindred spirit in Clarence (Michael Caine), the curmudgeonly, retired magician who begrudgingly takes up residence at the guest home. The two strike up an unlikely friendship that helps Clarence come to terms with losing his wife, and Edward finds a way out of his shell. Milner holds his own alongside veteran Caine with a biting yet charming performance. Anne-Marie Duff (NOTES ON A SCANDAL) and David Morrissey (BASIC INSTINCT 2) offer up moving support as Edward’s working-class parents, who struggle to hold onto their marriage while making ends meet. The colorful cast of senior citizens, which includes seasoned actors Rosemary Harris (Aunt May from the SPIDERMAN films) and Karl Johnson (HOT FUZZ, ROME), provides some of the film's most melancholy and comic moments. Along with stellar performances from the impressive ensemble, IS ANYBODY THERE? is well-scripted and beautifully shot. Though it deals with some of life’s toughest moments, this is a film that is sure to appeal to audiences of all ages. [More]

Starring: Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey

Starring: Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey, Rosemary Harris, Karl Johnson, Leslie Phillips, Elizabeth Spriggs

Director: John Crowley

Director: John Crowley
Screenwriter: Peter Harness
Producer: David Heyman, Marc Turtletaub, Peter Saraf
Composer: Joby Talbot
Studio: Big Beach Films

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 5 of 9

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for Is Anybody There?

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

This well crafted film is given resonance and purpose with layers and layers of detail that make the bittersweet climax all the more heartwarming.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
06/05/09
Colin Fraser
Colin Fraser
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Even when dealing with the supernatural, Caine is never less than a realist. Yet you can still see the boy in him. And in Milner, you can certainly see the man Edward will become.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
06/12/09
Sandra Hall
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Weighed down by a surrounding air of quirkiness.

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
06/12/09
Philippa Hawker
Philippa Hawker
The Age (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is a film that presses many emotional buttons. In many ways it is a really sad film and certainly one that needs a wad of tissues.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
05/27/09
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Caine and Milner go together like peas in a pod. Or, better yet, like bangers and mash. They're an odd couple, but they face life as one and it's a rewarding journey.

Full Review Source: Courier Mail (Australia) | comment Comment
06/01/09
Colin Newton
Colin Newton
Courier Mail (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

With two direct and developed lead performances from Michael Caine and young Bill Milner, it seems unfair to watch their efforts wasted on an uneven, unsatisfying picture like the tear-jerker Is Anybody There?

Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
06/01/09
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
Dark Horizons
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Director John Crowley overestimates the comedic potential of daily life for the elderly and infirmed. Thankfully, the casual, unforced chemistry between Caine and Milner is strong enough to suppress Is Anybody There?’s cornie

Full Review Source: Herald Sun (Australia) | comment Comment
05/27/09
Leigh Paatsch
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Michael Caine is always good company, but he’s been saddled with the role of a slightly pitiful man whose life has been wasted... despite generally good performances the narrative arc is pretty obvious from the start.

Full Review Source: At the Movies (Australia) | comment Comment
06/10/09
David Stratton
David Stratton
At the Movies (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's a film that serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly time passes.

Full Review Source: The Australian | comment Comment
06/12/09
David Stratton
David Stratton
The Australian
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It wants so badly to be meaningful, relevant and compassionate, but struggles even to keep our attention, never mind our hearts or minds. Not even Michael Caine's slowly sinking geriatric Clarence or affecting young Bill Milner can elevate the material.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
05/27/09
Andrew L. Urban
Andrew L. Urban
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Slushy but with a great cast...

Full Review Source: Sunday Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
05/01/09
Mark Adams
Mark Adams
Sunday Mirror [UK]

Is Anybody There?, about an aging magician's friendship with a morose boy, requires us to repress any thoughts about stale material and keep Caine's heartfelt performance front and center.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
04/24/09
Walter V. Addiego
Walter V. Addiego
San Francisco Chronicle

It's a fairly lightweight distraction, but a good one.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/17/09
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

A cookie cutter dramedy that beguiles and rankles.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
04/22/09
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

Worth seeing for Caine, who makes acting seem effortless, pleasurable and even noble.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
05/19/09
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Caine and Milner play off each other nicely, but there's nothing about the story or characters that feels fresh or unexpected.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
04/16/09
Geoff Berkshire
Geoff Berkshire
Metromix.com

This sweet-natured movie can nonetheless provide laughs and sharp insights, as well as a lump in the throat.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
05/01/09
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's also charming, despite the dark subject matter. You could say the same about Caine's performance.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
05/15/09
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

hackneyed drivel

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
04/16/09
Paul Brenner
Paul Brenner
Filmcritic.com

A quirky coming-of-age drama that will draw you in with its spiritual undertow and delight.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
04/16/09
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
all

Latest News for Is Anybody There?

April 16, 2009: Critics Consensus: 17 Again Is Sweet And Poignant
This week at the movies, we've got a high school do-over (17 Again, starring Zac Efron and Leslie Mann), some journalistic thrills (State of Play, starring Russell Crowe and... More...

April 01, 2009: Michael Caine Talks Batman 3 Opens in new window
Michael Caine is out promoting his latest feature, "Is Anybody There," but he's perfectly willing to share his thoughts on the next "Batman" sequel -- fortunately for Collider,... More...

March 22, 2009: Click for trailer and preview Opens in new window
More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

89% 89% Up in the Air 14/1
— The Tooth Fairy 14/1
— Bran Nue Dae 14/1

What’s Hot On RT

Inception Trailer

Inception Trailer

See the new trailer for Chris Nolan's latest

2010's Biggest Films

2010's Biggest Films

We preview all the new year's major releases

Prince of Persia

Prince of Persia

Go behind the scenes with this new clip

Producers Guild

Producers Guild

See which films topped the pre-Oscar US noms

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • George Lucas Talks Star Wars Source: Collider.com
18
  • Spider-Man 4: A Sequel in Search of a Script Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
74
  • Sam Mendes in Discussions for Bond 23 Source: Los Angeles Times
34
  • Christopher Lee, Heavy Metal Rock God Source: Videogum
5
  • Weekly Ketchup: Annual Ketchup Edition
74
  • Harold Ramis Discusses Filmography, Teases Ghostbusters 3 Source: Heeb Magazine
16
  • National Film Registry Adds 2009 Selections Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • New Moon Tops Moviefone's 2009 List Source: Hollywood Reporter
30
  • Star Trek Tops 2009's Most-Pirated Movies List Source: Hollywood Reporter
19
  • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
114
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar Continues Its Run In 2010
231
  • Awards Tour: 2010 People's Choice Awards Winners!
180
  • Rotten Tomatoes Is Joining Forces With Flixster!
50
  • Weekly Ketchup: Annual Ketchup Edition
37
  • Awards Tour: The Hurt Locker Wins Big At National Society of Film Critics Awards
37
  • Five Favorites of the Five Favorite Films of 2009
36
  • Friday Harvest: Eclipse, Robin Hood, and more!
31
  • Awards Tour: Producers Guild Announces Nominees
25
  • Total Recall: Amy Adams' Best Movies
18
  • Awards Tour: Directors Guild Association Announces Nominees
6
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
76
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
22
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
24
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • RT on DVD: Wassup, Bruno
3
  • Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back
0
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
16
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Is Anybody There? at Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh Links

Featured
40 Best Films of the 2000s
40 Best Films of the 2000s External Link

Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!

Competitions
Win Funny People on DVD
Win Funny People on DVD External Link

We're giving away copies of Judd Apatow's latest.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo
About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2010, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.