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Is Anybody There?

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Is Anybody There? (2009)

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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

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Reviews for Is Anybody There?

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61 - 80 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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The rude and real joy is Caine’s performance.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
05/01/09
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
05/01/09
Peg Aloi
Peg Aloi
Boston Phoenix

Caine leads an impeccable cast in a story that is as touching as it is funny, turning the mundane minutiae of fading lives into a vibrant display.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
05/01/09
Philip Wilding
Philip Wilding
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Caine moves through the less-than-surprising story line, shaking things up not with an actorly flamboyance but with a heartbreaking sense of quiet tragedy and regret.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
05/01/09
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer

It’s charming, but slight.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
05/01/09
Tim Robey
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph

Is Anybody There? has so many good intentions and engaging moments it is hard to define why it doesn’t quite add up.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
05/01/09
Martin Hoyle
Martin Hoyle
Financial Times

An intelligently-written, smartly-handled study of laughter in the dark.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
05/01/09
John Walsh
John Walsh
Independent

The film unfolds with such a fine balance of charm, humour and heartache that it is impossible to resist.

Full Review Source: Daily Express | comment Comment
05/01/09
Allan Hunter
Allan Hunter
Daily Express

Peter Harness’s screenplay does not manage the desired subtlety and descends now and then into pawkiness and sentimentality — and Crowley’s direction is never quite sophisticated enough either.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
05/01/09
Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm
This is London

Is Anybody There? proves that talent, not age, will ultimately define successful acting careers.

Full Review Source: FHM [UK] | comment Comment
05/01/09
FHM [UK]

Thanks to the superb turns from Michael and young Bill, plus a witty, well-observed script, this is a real slow burner of a film-incredibly moving but brightened by some top comic moments.

Full Review Source: News of the World | comment Comment
05/01/09
Robbie Collin
Robbie Collin
News of the World

Director John Crowley takes this whimsical film in some nice directions and gets plenty of value from his supporting cast of top senior talent.

Full Review Source: Scotsman | comment Comment
05/01/09
Alistair Harkness
Alistair Harkness
Scotsman

These two lonely guys are clearly move-made for each other, but this film allows them to be more complicated and less cuddly than the usual feel-good comfort movie.

Full Review Source: Beliefnet | comment Comment
04/30/09
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Beliefnet

Caine is magnificent, and the film is worth a look for his contribution alone.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
04/30/09
Philip Kennicott
Philip Kennicott
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite all the rough edges and predictable touches, the film becomes quite moving in its final act.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
04/30/09
John Hartl
John Hartl
Seattle Times

You don't need a Ouija board to suss out where all this is heading, but Is Anybody There? counteracts its deficiencies -- predictability, sentimentality -- with a healthy dose of dark humor.

Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
04/30/09
Connie Ogle
Connie Ogle
Miami Herald

Unfortunately, nothing else in Is Anybody There? quite equals the main performances. There are nice moments throughout, but it meanders a bit. We learn a little about the other residents, but not enough to invest emotionally.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
04/30/09
Cathy Jakicic
Cathy Jakicic
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

To answer the question put forth by the title of Is Anybody There?: Michael Caine is there, single-handedly lifting a soggy bit of coming-of-age whimsy into the category of the watchable.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
04/30/09
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe

Abracadabra, indeed.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
04/30/09
Marc Savlov
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle

I can't really recommend the film, unless you admire Caine as much as I do.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
04/30/09
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
61 - 80 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
all

Latest News for Is Anybody There?

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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
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