Genres

Visitors Review

Troye Dchgl 2012-05-25 08:49:59

Little British Drama with Great Performances

Set in the 1980s seaside England, this film can be a greatcoming-of-age story with authenticity and may give a sense of nostalgiafor some.Bill Milner plays 10-year-old Edward, who is a curious child full ofquestions about ghosts and death. This story is about Edward'schildhood in a old people's home run by his parents. As the storydevelops, Edward develops a special bond with Clarence, played by theamazing Michael Caine.The start of the movie gives us a nice description of Edward's life andintroduces us to a lot of characters in the house. The ghost huntingparts make the film a bit far-stretched from its theme but the filmsgets a lot better later. We get to know Clarence more, and we can seehis life portrayed by Michale Caine's outstanding performance. Caine'sacting is a great strength of the film, and it totally brings outClarence's character to the audience. Milner also does a good jobacting a kid full of curiosity and inner kindness. Clarence has a hugeregret in his life. It is about his wife. We can see Edward's kindnessas he tries to help him heal that wound in his heart.This film is an invaluable lesson about life and death. The bond ayoung kid and an old man share can be very special. As the scenes moveon, Edward is seen to grow and learn a lot of things from Clarence. Itis incredible to see that this film succeeds in displaying that qualityof life experience. The young have a lot to learn from the old who havemuch more experience in their life. The other way around, old peoplewho are sometimes not their old self anymore can often use that energyfrom the young.This film covers a lot of things and I am sure different people canlearn different things from it. Anyway, people looking for an excitingdrama is not going to like this. But if you are looking for is aninspiring drama that gives you something to think about, this is a goodchoice for you. For me, Caine's performance alone is enough to make thetime worthwhile.

Ron Plasma 2012-05-24 20:40:03

One trick thoroughbred

A pleasant sort of film, and I'm never really going to criticiseanything with Michael Caine in it am I? Likewise I'll never hear a wordagainst the lovely Anne-Marie Duff, who always gives Gromit a run forhis money in the acting-by-eyebrows-alone stakes. How she finds time towrite all those poems I'll never know.But I just can't get a theme together for my review other than someshot at "if you ever wondered where all old actors go – it's a filmabout an old folks' home in Yorkshire". Yes, so soon after Clint'smoribund hero I now have Michael's grey-stubble–and-all retiredmagician. Do you think I am being drawn to them? Seriously though, this is undemanding stuff, yet somehow uplifting tosee all the where-are-they-nows. But – and if for no other reason, thisis why you must see this film at some point – prepare yourself for anexcellent centrepiece scene with a stage guillotine.Ron (Viewed 12May09)

John DeSando 2012-05-20 23:44:33

Yes--A great actor is there.

Small films such as "Is Anybody There?" usually aren't there, at leastas far as box office impact. This one may have a chance at some returnbecause of Sir Michael Caine's role as a retirement home denizen in1980's England. Caine infuses the ex-magician with a bit of moviemagic—cynicism baked with pathos and one of the greatest cinema voicesever.He teaches an equally eccentric 10 year old boy some tricks, and thelittle one amuses us and Caine with his project to capture the deaththroes and after activity of dying residents.That this bleak landscape of death and despair can be lightened bythese two interesting characters is a tribute to the magic of a movieactor and movies themselves, small as both may be next to colossalAmerican blockbusters.

del 2012-05-20 03:49:59

getting old sucks big time

sad how the movie star of a era make end of life movies. golden pond might have been the 1st of the trend. how we think the end of our own life will be and how it really is depends on our wealthat the time.

2012-05-14 21:28:23

Very dry

This movie was very dry, boring and really didn't make it's point - to be part of the living before it was too late. I love Michael Caine, but with his talent, he could have done this movie asleep. Or maybe he did.

callapj 2012-05-14 11:52:19

A Waste of Talent

A 90 minute movie with Michael Caine and Rosemary Harris, not tomention many of the UK's heavy hitters, sounded like a little bit ofheaven. Not so. The script was by-the-book, Harris was barely on screenand Caine could do this character in his sleep. I knew within the first10 minutes that this story had been done before, and with betterresults. The characters had no history, they died without any reasonother than their screen time was up, and Caine exhibited the fastestcase of dementia known to humankind - unless, of course, the editinggot a bit muddled and weeks or months passed instead of hours. Therewas also a problem as far as understanding the actors - unless it wasthe screening print I saw. Just a deeply disappointing evening.

cheryllynecox-1 2012-05-13 06:49:21

If I snored, I'm sorry Miracle 5 Theatre patrons.

Yesterday afternoon, in pursuit of an midday escape, I was lookingforward to "Is Anybody There". It took less than three or four scenesbefore I realized that this quiet film might have an unintendedsoporific effect, and truthfully, I nodded in and out of the film untilthe final 45 minutes. Perhaps I should have snuck in an extra cola orsugary snacks, but I don't think they could have competed with therather bittersweet intentions of the film maker.Sir Michael was effective as a lonely and erascible senior, and hisco-star was also convincing as an odd young outsider, but theirrelationship was not compelling enough to maintain my interest. Thecamera caught the claustrophobic quality of the shabby pensioner's homewith no romance or pretense. I especially liked a nature shot thatseemed to suggest a parallel between a badger and Caine's character.Overall, I would recommend this film for anyone who is usually wideawake in the middle of the day and likes predictable narrativesinvolving a lonely senior and an introspective fourth grader.

cshep 2012-05-13 04:01:07

Heart Warming film, but Not Tidy for a Reason....

Little Edward(Bill Milner) has been relocated from his room, andlifestyle when his Mom and Dad open their house as a nursing home, forthe greater good. Being displaced has its consequences as Edwarddevelops a morbid curiosity of the end of mortal life. As fate wouldhave it, Clarence(Michael Caine) in a deep and moving performancealmost runs over the young lad, who is listening to the last sounds oflife while walking down the street. Clarence, a retired magician, is atthe end of his means, and has no reason to continue on. Edward, in anascent love-hate relationship, strikes up a friendship with the agingprestidigitator, and Clarence starts to rekindle a renewed interest inlife. The character of the nursing home residents is also fleshed out,and is weaved nicely into the main thread.Gentle and heartfelt scenesfill the screen, from the ocean beach bench to the final resting placeof Clarences' beloved Annie, you are taken into their world, andreminded of kindness, and gentle moments. Truly a memorable film, nottidy , because, it is ......Fine performances by the entire cast ! Very fulfilling......timeless.

2012-05-09 23:17:43

Is Anybody There??? (a review)

This review is from: Is Anybody There? (DVD) Overall, it was a good movie. I am a magician and there was rave reviews in the magic magazines about the magic effects in this film. It was disappointing to be because in my opinion, there was not that much magic in the film.

2012-05-09 18:51:49

A Gift Of Compassion Humanity and Hope

In this exquisite indie, a wonderful ensemble of fine veteran English actors have given us a gift of deep compassion and great humanity on the very difficult and dreaded time of living beyond our ability to care for our selves, of living in the company of stangers in a place not of our choosing, isolated from family and friends who are too afraid to come or themselves in the same circumstances, facing increasing disablity and death, dependent on the care of strangers, under their supervision, their rules. Hope is looking all that square in the eye and going on without fear or dread and in the home of this young family taking in elderly lodgers to make ends meet hope is served up sweetly every day. It all unfolds and is presented through the experience of the 10 year old who has had to give up his room to generate the extra money the family needs and his crusty intergenerational relationship with a newcomer who is a retired magician ( Michael Caine).As other reviewers have noted, this film has great merit and great appeal on its own terms as art, as film, as story. On that basis it isa good pick for a family library of DVD's. A great pick especially though for family viewing for anyone facing that moment with a loved one . ( We should all be that lucky when our time comes to live with a family like this). See also Mrs. Palfry at the Claremeont, Strangers in Good Company and Lovely, Still.

2012-05-03 02:45:21

A grand film

This review is from: Is Anybody There? (DVD) I first saw Is Anbody There? at the Grandin Theatre in Roanoke Va. I decided to go and see the movie because I have an interest in magic. The movie does not have much in the way of conjuring in the plot. However, the plot and the characters had vital interest for me. I could relate to Clarence in a profound way.The actress Ann Marie Duff looked like an English woman that I was once going to marry. I find it interesting that they both shared the same name of Kathryn. They also both played the guitar and sang," A Nightengale Sang In Berkley Square." I was shocked when I saw the scene of Duff playing and singing that song. I felt like I could have swooned.I understand the end of the movie quite well when it concerns the need for forgivness.I saw the movie four days in a row. The film made me cry. You would maybe cry to if you saw something of your life on the silver screen.There are some people who do not think much of this movie because they think that it is dry and boring. I do not think that I will ever see another film like this ever again. The film was profound for me personally. I would like to add that Kathryn Ann is far more beautiful than Ann Marie Duff.A grand film!!!

2012-05-02 20:58:59

Incredible film and a must see

This review is from: Is Anybody There? (DVD) I highly recommend this film, beautifully acted by Michael Caine! I think it is one of his best roles ever, bringing honesty and a real sense of what aging means and how people get old and cope, and how regrets become a part of the emotional landscape of people as they do so. I am glad I now have a copy of this film to wathc and share with others as I get tolder. it gives a sense of being understood to whoever wathces it and it also serves as fine story for people of all ages, too!

Movie-Jay 2012-05-01 17:24:20

Bad Screenplay Drowns This Melodrama

I was really looking forward to "Is There Anybody There?" when I founda spot for it on my Toronto Film Festival schedule, what with directorJohn Crowley making the wonderful "Intermission" a few years ago, andhis latest "Boy A" proving he could do a great job with young actors aswell. Those movies were smart and engaging, free of plot requirements,and more interested in character study.But this movie is a disappointment, with a screenplay that doesn't knowwhen to quit on trying to make the audience cry every two seconds withan over-abundance of "meaningful" looks, all coated in syrupy melodramathat never let's anything go without saying. This movie proves that youcan have a good director and a legendary actor at the helm, but thatwithout a good screenplay, the whole ship sinks.The film follows an early 40 something couple and their young son whorun a great big house that serves as a sort of retirement home for anassortment of great English character actors of the last half century,whose senility is made very entertaining because of their namerecognition. Michael Caine enters the picture as a man who was once aperformer and a magician, but who is losing it in his old age andchecks into the place. Now, decide this for yourself if you check thismovie out: Do you think that the couple in charge of this house is evenqualified to do that kind of work? They seem clueless as to the rigorsof the everyday details of taking care of seniors, and indeed, themovie doesn't possess the knowing of that job, or the ability totranslate it in a way that seems plausible, which is surprising to mesince the story is apparently inspired by real events.This is a movie that will be liked by the same crowd that liked "Jack"or "Patch Adams" or maybe even "the Cider House Rules", all movies thatare top-heavy with sentimentality and over-the-top acting, movies thatact like little puppy dogs who just want to be liked at every turn. Isaw exactly 50 movies at the Toronto Film Festival this year, and thisone was in my bottom 5.A disappointing miss for John Crowley and Michael Caine.

ianlouisiana 2012-05-01 00:10:47

Boy meets magician.Boy loses magician.

"LarkHall",somewhere oop north and accordingly grimly forbidding,is aretirement home run by the parents of a morbid 10 year old boy(MasterBill Milner).Dad(Mr D.Morrisey) is a disgruntled lecher and mum (MissA.M.Duff)is merely disgruntled with being married to a disgruntledlecher.The son is disgruntled because he has had to give up his bedroomto elderly residents who regularly die without revealing to him thesecrets of the afterlife. Enter one Clarence Parkinson,a retiredmagician,who is disgruntled by just about everything.He is played bySir Michael Caine who can do "disgruntled" in his sleep. Lots of oldBritish actors with not much else to do dress the retirement home aslovable eccentrics.It's not easy being grey......... The scene is setfor a tear - jerker of huge proportions but "Is anybody there?" failedto move me at all. The nearest to a poignant moment comes when MissDuff sings "A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square" in a small clearvoice with an endearingly amateurish guitar accompaniment. Mr Caine'sdescent into dementia comes on with a haste that might seem almost rudeto some and by the end I had found his misanthropy boorish rather thanamusing so his passing came as a blessed relief. Clearly meant as adeeply - felt plea for something or other - although I'm not entirelysure exactly what - "Is anybody there?" fails to involve because apartfrom Miss Duff all the characters are motivated entirely by self -interest. I was feeling pretty disgruntled myself by the end.

2012-04-30 07:54:05

Quality film making on a tight budget

This is another of those little gems that should appeal to anyone who enjoys thoughtful movies. The plot is simple enough: an old former magician lands up in an old-people's home and we follow the action largely by accompanying the young son of the people who run the home. The plot is simple enough but what matters here is that the direction is assured and even the smallest parts are played by actors and actresses who give depth without over-playing. The cast, indeed, is a veritable who's-who of British film and television and it's a pleasure to observe the craft on display here. The central themes are those germane to most people's lives: regret, the impossibility of doing anything more than muddling through, loss, acceptance, and - in a sotto voce manner - forgiveness. Michael Caine turns in a good solid performance that is under-stated to the right degree. In fact, everything is under-stated, which makes the emotional impact much greater. And the script avoids the standard Hollywood play-it-for-sobs-then-tears-of-joy schtick, up to the last 60 seconds of the movie. Although the premise of the movie sounds depressing - let's watch old people decay and die and the caretakers' marriage fall apart because of the stresses and strains - this is actually a very enjoyable movie to watch. The pleasure is akin to seeing a finely crafted time piece in operation: everything is where it needs to be and the parts move in synchronicity. So basically this is a low budget movie that delivers high value emotional content and the pleasure of seeing something done very well indeed. Absolutely a must-see for anyone who enjoys superior acting and confident direction.

2012-04-29 11:13:48

Michael Caine Fans Give the Movie an Extra Star

Probably one of the lowest activity films this year on Blu that ended up looking this pristine. Michael Caine's performance was outstanding from beginning to end, but unfortunately he is not in every scene.The story follows a young boy as he deals with his life of living at a retirement home in the 1980s UK (that his parents manage for income). I had to have subtitles on as the accents and slang were unintelligible throughout. Caine plays a retired magician and self appointed resident to this home who inevitably befriends this young loner. Over the course of the film these two unlikely characters impart upon each other their little nuances and knowledge of life. Extremely slow moving at times and unlikely in others, what makes this movie tangible is the believability of Caine's borderline senility meets second chance in a dead end home role.The Blu clarity is outstanding. I even paused it in the most of unlikely places and the line definition was ideal for the scenes. Even in the near dark basement scene there was no pixelation or blur. The DTS was perfect, and the subliminal/background noises of the old folks home played through no matter what part of the house the scene was taking place. The only supplement was made up of a few forgettable deleted scenes. Not a mainstream appeal film by any means, but the performances were believable by all involved. The Blu sells itself but in an unlikely film of sorts. Four for the Blu and the story.

2012-04-26 23:56:10

Unintelligble

I'm Sure I would have enjoyed this movie and rated much higher if I could have understood the dialog. There was only Spanish subtitles which didn't help me. Caine's voice was often too soft which added to the problem.By the way I am a big Michael Caine fan

2012-04-26 15:17:56

More sweet than bitter

Michael Caine, as always, gives a superb performance in this sweet movie about a young boy, surrounded by old age and death, coming to terms with the inevitable aging process. The supporting cast performed well - little vignettes of an old ex-dancer who has lost a leg trying on her old dancing shoes were subtle touches - but somehow deep emotion was missing from a movie in which, given the topic, I expected to feel melancholy. There were delightful touches of humour (Caine in particular had some worthy one-liners), but the real cause of my inability to really connect with the characters was because of a lack of focus. Neither the boy's morbid fascination with finding out what happens after death, nor his growing relationship with the grumpy retired magician (Caine) were fully developed. The movie would have benefited if there had been a sharper focus on one or the other theme (life after death vs the sadness/acceptance of the aging process.)Despite this, the movie was an enjoyable evening's viewing and provided sweet moments and some good laughs.

Deb 2012-04-26 01:40:09

I enjoyed this very much!

Michael Caine gives a very talented, heart-warming, and believable performance in Is Anyone There? And his costar, the little boy played by Bill Milner, is excellent. The story is real, the characters are imperfect, and you feel like you've spent a couple of hours with your old aunts and uncles - quirky, cranky, funny, sweet, and lovable.

hanrahanpm 2012-04-25 04:50:33

Michael Caine at his best, again

I lived in England in the 60's when many of these actors were in theirprime. Here they are 50 years later and still working. They're not abit afraid to act or look their age. What a treat for us and what atreat for young Bill Milner to act with these greats of British filmand theatre. Quite a change from "Intermission" for the director JohnCrowley, but also suitably paced for an older generation. Niceenjoyable film about an old codger and a young boy. Anne Marie Duff hada tiny part (the last scene) in "Notes on a Scandal" and a larger onein a recent Irish film called "Garage." Check it out for understatedacting and writing. David Morrissey played one of the leads in the TVseries "State of Play" which is now a film with Russell Crowe and HelenMirren.