We know that Michael Caine is one of Cinema's greatest actors but the movie IS ANYBODY THERE? has secured his place in history because this latest performance of his is absolutely magical. As a fading magician, Michael Caine plays his character with such... finesse that can only come from years of experience and perfecting the art of acting. What a superb, masterful, extraordinary, and touching portrayal. If he doesn't get nominated at the next Oscar, then there's something messed up with the system.
IS ANYBODY THERE? is a story of an odd friendship between an old man and a young boy but it deals with dying, old age, and death and not quite the same way that as what Benjamin Button did. The difference with IS ANYBODY THERE is that it's more blunt, instead of going for extravagant visual effects, it relies on simplicity and doesn't hide behind the bushes, even the humor stems from that.
Michael Caine plays this retired magician who misses his wife, misses his great old days of fame and women and riches. Edward is the little boy whose parents run the nursing house that Clarence lives in. Edward feels miserable and hates facing the facts of growing old. Edward, surrounded by old dying people, is fascinated with ghosts and whether or not those people will still be around to haunt the place after they're dead. Clarence, played by child actor Bill Milner who was entertaining in Son of Rambow, is your typical angry kid who could use a friend, a role model, since his parents are too busy.
Their first encounter isn't a smooth one but what follows is interest in learning each other's knowledge. Clarence teaches Edward some constructive skills, in this case, magic.. while Edward teaches him about supernatural world. Clarence doesn't think of it seriously but without secretly he's curious enough to try it on his own just to see if he could contact his late wife.
What will happen after we die? Or is the question should be about what we should be doing with our lives while we're still breathing? Clarence's presence also indirectly impacted the relationship between Edward's parents and how they re-evaluate their marriage as they struggle daily working at the nursing home. The mom is so caught up in her work that she neglects her husband's needs, the husband is so caught up in complaining that he forgets that both his and his wife's responsibility should be focused only on their son, Edward who by the way is so caught up in ghost world that he doesn't connect with his classmates. That's the impact that Edward has on them because he would say sorry to his wife if he could relive his life all over again but time has caught up to him.
IS ANYBODY THERE? may have morbid issues but it's not depressing. It often does comedy at the expense of old people but it doesn't come off too rude that it becomes distasteful. What it's trying to accomplish is to remind audience to always be grateful for what you have, the people around you and the present moment. Nothing hurts more than to live with regrets because you didn't do what you should've done long ago. If you don't get those, then at least watch it for Michael Caine's brilliant phenomenal performance that will leave you in utmost respect for the man --Rama's SCREEN--
IS ANYBODY THERE? is a story of an odd friendship between an old man and a young boy but it deals with dying, old age, and death and not quite the same way that as what Benjamin Button did. The difference with IS ANYBODY THERE is that it's more blunt, instead of going for extravagant visual effects, it relies on simplicity and doesn't hide behind the bushes, even the humor stems from that.
Michael Caine plays this retired magician who misses his wife, misses his great old days of fame and women and riches. Edward is the little boy whose parents run the nursing house that Clarence lives in. Edward feels miserable and hates facing the facts of growing old. Edward, surrounded by old dying people, is fascinated with ghosts and whether or not those people will still be around to haunt the place after they're dead. Clarence, played by child actor Bill Milner who was entertaining in Son of Rambow, is your typical angry kid who could use a friend, a role model, since his parents are too busy.
Their first encounter isn't a smooth one but what follows is interest in learning each other's knowledge. Clarence teaches Edward some constructive skills, in this case, magic.. while Edward teaches him about supernatural world. Clarence doesn't think of it seriously but without secretly he's curious enough to try it on his own just to see if he could contact his late wife.
What will happen after we die? Or is the question should be about what we should be doing with our lives while we're still breathing? Clarence's presence also indirectly impacted the relationship between Edward's parents and how they re-evaluate their marriage as they struggle daily working at the nursing home. The mom is so caught up in her work that she neglects her husband's needs, the husband is so caught up in complaining that he forgets that both his and his wife's responsibility should be focused only on their son, Edward who by the way is so caught up in ghost world that he doesn't connect with his classmates. That's the impact that Edward has on them because he would say sorry to his wife if he could relive his life all over again but time has caught up to him.
IS ANYBODY THERE? may have morbid issues but it's not depressing. It often does comedy at the expense of old people but it doesn't come off too rude that it becomes distasteful. What it's trying to accomplish is to remind audience to always be grateful for what you have, the people around you and the present moment. Nothing hurts more than to live with regrets because you didn't do what you should've done long ago. If you don't get those, then at least watch it for Michael Caine's brilliant phenomenal performance that will leave you in utmost respect for the man --Rama's SCREEN--