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:

Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff

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 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 | child protagonist | elderly protagonist | three word title | question mark in title | 

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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 [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 May 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Is Anybody There?

Filming Locations:

Hythe, Kent, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£123,309 (United Kingdom), 3 May 2009, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$46,209, 19 April 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,024,225, 12 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

After seeing a photo of Lily in Clarence's van, Edward tells Clarence that "She looks like Dame Edna", a reference to Dame Edna Everage, a character created by Barry Humphries.

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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

Clarence: Now for those of you who have never before sat in a seance, there is absolutely nothing to be fearful of. Ghosts... are very friendly sorts. They like a nice chin wag. But they're very scared of loud noises and sudden movements. Which is the reason why they're very rarely to be sighted in discos and wrestling matches, for example.
Edward: You shouldn't joke. It'll make 'em vengeful.
Clarence: [raises hand in supplication] Spirits... please accept my mortal apology.

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Connections

Features One Man and His Dog (1976)

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Soundtracks

Come On Eileen
Written by Kevin Rowland, James Paterson and Kevin Adams
Performed by Dexys Midnight Runners
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd / Kevin Adams Music Ltd
Courtesy of Mercury Records (London) Ltd
Under license from Universal Music Operations

User Reviews

Yes--A great actor is there.

Small films such as "Is Anybody There?" usually aren't there, at least as far as box office impact. This one may have a chance at some return because of Sir Michael Caine's role as a retirement home denizen in 1980's England. Caine infuses the ex-magician with a bit of movie magic—cynicism baked with pathos and one of the greatest cinema voices ever.

He teaches an equally eccentric 10 year old boy some tricks, and the little one amuses us and Caine with his project to capture the death throes and after activity of dying residents.

That this bleak landscape of death and despair can be lightened by these two interesting characters is a tribute to the magic of a movie actor and movies themselves, small as both may be next to colossal American blockbusters.