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
 
 
81 - 100 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

As a vehicle for Caine to do the crotchety old man routine...doesn't offer many new wrinkles to the mix.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
04/30/09
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

Crowley is heading for a note of sympathy with this stuttering tale of universal heartache, but without needed substance and focus, there's nothing to emotionally devour.

Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | comment Comment
04/30/09
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Well made, sharply written and superbly acted drama that's both darkly funny and powerfully emotional.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
04/30/09
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

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

This thoughtful, well-crafted, modest little film is a pleasing example of generational intersections and the wisdom that flows both directions.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
04/24/09
Brandon Fibbs
Brandon Fibbs
Christianity Today

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

It is Caine's seemingly effortless mastery, after a lifetime of acting, that is the real attraction here.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
04/20/09
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
Christian Science Monitor

There are a lot of other sweet, tender moments in this film and it never felt maudlin in any way to me.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
04/20/09
Ben Mankiewicz
Ben Mankiewicz
At the Movies

Caine is flawless here, giving audiences one of his finest performances to date.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
04/20/09
Ben Lyons
Ben Lyons
At the Movies

Humorous and touching, the first great movie of 2009.

Full Review Source: MovieWeb | comment Comment
04/20/09
Julian Roman
Julian Roman
MovieWeb

A finely drawn and gentle British drama propelled by another of the star's unforgettable screen portraits.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
04/17/09
Betsy Sharkey
Betsy Sharkey
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

While Caine is highly watchable, Is Anybody There? limns all-too-familiar and schmaltzy territory for both coming-of-age films and movies with elderly actors.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
04/17/09
Lou Lumenick
Lou Lumenick
New York Post

Caine is still obviously capable of pulling a great performance out of a middling film.

Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | comment Comment
04/17/09
Stephen Whitty
Stephen Whitty
Newark Star-Ledger

A triumphant true gem of a film with Michael Caine giving one of the finest performances of his career.

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
04/17/09
Pete Hammond
Pete Hammond
Hollywood.com

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

What balances the movie is Mr. Caine's exceptional portrayal of old age as the accumulation of a lifetime's experience. In his performance the child, the youthful rogue and the forgetful codger all live at once.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
04/17/09
Stephen Holden
Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Mostly ages us through its sloggy, spoon-fed narrative that has us, like its surrounding characters, just waiting for it all to be over.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
04/16/09
Erik Childress
Erik Childress
eFilmCritic.com

At once predictable and implausible; so overplotted and overpopulated that the question isn't so much Is Anybody There? as "Why on earth are so many bodies here?"

Full Review Source: NPR | comment Comment
04/16/09
Bob Mondello
Bob Mondello
NPR

[The actors are] so good it's almost possible to forgive the abundance of clichés and shake off the sense that the entire story's been manufactured to hit whimsical notes.

Full Review Source: Critic's Notebook | comment Comment
04/16/09
Robert Levin
Robert Levin
Critic's Notebook

Blending humor and heartbreak in a performance that makes a small movie a richly satisfying one, Caine truly is magic.

Full Review Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
04/16/09
Peter Travers
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
 
 
81 - 100 (sorted by date; 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

70% 70% Where the Wild Things Are 03/12
83% 83% Paranormal Activity 03/12
89% 89% Zombieland 03/12
76% 76% The Informant! 03/12
— The Strength of Water 03/12

What’s Hot On RT

Shock! Horror?

Shock! Horror?

Lars von Trier talks Antichrist

Avatar

Avatar

Watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video

RT's Twilight corner

RT's Twilight corner

Everything you need on New Moon is here

Doomed Romance

Doomed Romance

Our top 10 star-crossed movie lovers

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Natalie Portman Says Kat Denning Is in Thor Source: MTV
16
  • Disney Restructuring Has Broad Implications Source: Los Angeles Times
10
  • Joel Silver Talks Ninja Assassin, Sgt. Rock, Lobo, and More Source: Collider.com
1
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
108
  • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
112
  • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
32
  • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
64
  • Forbes Names Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors Source: Forbes
20
  • Chris Weitz Says He's (Almost) Done with Directing Source: Film School Rejects
26
  • Spider-Man 4 Casting Rumors Multiply Like Rabbits Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
51
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records
165
  • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
129
  • Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle?
97
  • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
75
  • Total Recall: John Travolta's Best Movies
58
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
54
  • Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog
50
  • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
32
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
7
  • RT on DVD: Harry Potter returns, Bella heads to Adventureland
4
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
7
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
8
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
19
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
6
  • 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
15
  • Richard Kelly chats about The Box
2
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
19
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Is Anybody There? at Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh Links

Featured
Win Glee DVDs
Win Glee DVDs External Link

We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.

New Moon Portraits
New Moon Portraits External Link

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Why Don't Australians Make Sci-fi?
Why Don't Australians Make Sci-fi? External Link

The New Matilda's Lynden Barber looks at the recent success of low-budget sci-fi -- and asks the question.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter External Link

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.

Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Win Star Wars prizes External Link

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Win the entire 007 collection
Win the entire 007 collection External Link

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more External Link

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN 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.