Is Anybody There? (2008)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

John Crowley

Writer:

Peter Harness

Stars:

Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, Ralph Riach

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Milner	...	Edward
Anne-Marie Duff	...	Mum
Ralph Riach	...	Clive
Linzey Cocker	...	Tanya
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Prudence
Leslie Phillips	...	Reg
Sylvia Syms	...	Lilian
Rosemary Harris	...	Elsie
David Morrissey	...	Dad
Thelma Barlow	...	Ena
Peter Vaughan	...	Bob
Carl McCrystal	...	Undertaker 1
Andrew Turner	...	Undertaker 2
Michael Caine	...	Clarence
Oliver Leach	...	Barry

Storyline

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 There Anybody There? tells the 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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Plot Keywords:

magician | retirement home | senility | palsey | sexual harassment | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language including sexual references, and some disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [us]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Czy ktos tam jest?

Filming Locations:

Folkestone Central Train Station, Folkestone, Kent, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£123,309 (UK) (1 May 2009)

Gross:

$2,024,225 (USA) (10 July 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Big Beach Films, Heyday Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last film of Elizabeth Spriggs. She died during post production.

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Goofs

Some think the father's mustache at the party is a continuity error as he shaved it off that morning. However, it is a fancy dress party and the father is clearly wearing a fake mustache to go with his costume.

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Quotes

Edward: [about death] I'm not scared. I just want to know what happens.

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Connections

Referenced in Teen Wolf: The Tell (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Wish Me Luck (As You Wave Me Goodbye)"
Written by Phil Park / Harry Parr Davies (as Harry Parr-Davies)
Published by Chappell Music Ltd
All rights administered by Warner Chappell Music Ltd

User Reviews

One Out Badger

Greetings again from the darkness. I will always pay to see Michael Caine act. I have always found his relaxed, natural approach to be fascinating, entertaining and mostly effective. As the Amazing Clarence, an elderly career magician, he is just fantastic. This may be the first role where he has actually gone out of his way to look older than he actually is.

When he checks himself into a home for the elderly, he befriends the young son of the owner. The boy is played by Bill Milner who was exceptional in "Son of Rambow". His mom is played by Ann-Marie Duffy and she loves her son, but just doesn't have the time and energy to devote to him (or her husband) as she dedicates herself to the tenants.

The best part of the film is watching Mr Caine and young Milner interact. Their time is magical, pun intended. The sad thing is ... this is the only part of the film that works. The rest is a bit lame and certainly not up to the standard of "Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont".

Regardless, the film is worth seeing for the performance of Michael Caine. One of his best in years and really captures the pain of getting old and slowly losing one's self.