Is Anybody There? (2008)

65% of critics liked it
(113 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(5,471 ratings)

Boy A director John Crowley followed up that award-winning film festival favorite with this eerie yet eloquent drama concerning a young boy fascinated by death due to the fact that he lives in the hospice home for the elderly that's owned by his parents. Perhaps due to the morose surroundings in… More Boy A director John Crowley followed up that award-winning film festival favorite with this eerie yet eloquent drama concerning a young boy fascinated by death due to the fact that he lives in the hospice home for the elderly that's owned by his parents. Perhaps due to the morose surroundings in which he was raised, wide-eyed Edward (Son of Rambow star Bill Milner) possesses both an acute sense of death and an obsessive desire to find out what happens after we pass on from this life. These interests are most noticeably evident in Edward's ongoing fascination with the paranormal, an obsession that his overworked parents merely tolerate as the curious boy makes his way around the hospice with a tape recorder determined to better understand the concept of mortality. Suddenly, into Edward's world rolls embittered, burned-out ex-magician Clarence (Michael Caine) -- who makes no attempts to hide the fact that he's not in the hospice by his own free will. Clarence has long since ceased to practice his trade, and no longer possesses the ability to recognize anything positive in either his surroundings or the people who inhabit them. He's irascible, ornery, and indignant, and he's just barely able to tolerate the young boy who's so interested in the one topic that plagues his thoughts most -- death. Before long, however, these two outsiders discover that their mutual need to make sense of the world means they have more in common than initial appearances would suggest. Soon embarking on a series of comic misadventures that help them both to better understand the many mysteries of life, Edward and Clarence form an unlikely bond that provides them both with the comfort they so desperately need during this uncertain stage in each of their lives. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Jon Crowley
Written By: Peter Harness
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 17, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Nov 17, 2009
Studio: Big Beach Films

Critic Reviews

Rob Nelson, Variety
Profoundly (and some would say pleasurably) formulaic, the film possesses scant cinematic energy, relying wholly on the familiar transformation of a grumpy old man into an infectiously weepy humanist.
Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
Michael Caine raises this odd-couple comedy to highly agreeable levels.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
The bravura acting is unsupported by a script that's content to settle for the dramatic equivalent of English comfort food, with moments of pathos and whimsy doled out like spoonfuls of dough and treacle.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
[A] funny and moving drama about the mysteries of the grave.
Bruce Demara, Toronto Star
There's a touch of magic at play here but it is of the understated variety, delivering a finale that is unexpectedly hopeful, moving and emotionally satisfying.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Occasionally wistful, often melancholy but always charming.
Christian Toto, What Would Toto Watch?
Is Anybody There? devolves into a predictable yarn about a boy and a grandfatherly figure - but adding Michael Caine to the mix means it's still worth your while.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
A combination of playful humor and gentle emotions connecting unlikely generations. Even if returning to the planet from the afterlife as a born again badger, is the elixir of choice that may shake this self-hating senior out of his miserable funk.
Leo Goldsmith, indieWIRE
The talent and craftsmanship of "Is Anybody There?" is ample, but it remains uncertain whether there's anybody here still interested in this all-too-familiar story.
Sean O'Connell, Charlotte Weekly
Warmly lit and beautifully acted, but cynical enough %u2013 and chock-full of enough dark humor %u2013 to avoid what might have been unbearably schmaltzy.
Sandra Hall, Sydney Morning Herald
Even when dealing with the supernatural, Caine is never less than a realist. Yet you can still see the boy in him. And in Milner, you can certainly see the man Edward will become.
David Stratton, The Australian
It's a film that serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly time passes.
Philippa Hawker, The Age (Australia)
Weighed down by a surrounding air of quirkiness.
David Stratton, At the Movies (Australia)
Michael Caine is always good company, but he's been saddled with the role of a slightly pitiful man whose life has been wasted... despite generally good performances the narrative arc is pretty obvious from the start.
Dan Lybarger, eFilmCritic.com
Like a good number of films, 'Is Anybody There?' is saved from being a routine offering by the presence of Sir Michael Caine.
Julie Rigg, MovieTime, ABC Radio National
Strings together a series of sitcom situations, goes for easy laughs, and wastes some very fine actors as other residents in the home.
Colin Fraser, FILMINK (Australia)
This well crafted film is given resonance and purpose with layers and layers of detail that make the bittersweet climax all the more heartwarming.
Colin Newton, Courier Mail (Australia)
Caine and Milner go together like peas in a pod. Or, better yet, like bangers and mash. They're an odd couple, but they face life as one and it's a rewarding journey.
Brian Orndorf, Dark Horizons
With two direct and developed lead performances from Michael Caine and young Bill Milner, it seems unfair to watch their efforts wasted on an uneven, unsatisfying picture like the tear-jerker Is Anybody There?
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a quirky, sometimes schmaltzy British dramedy that mixes meaningful ruminations about growing old with broad black comedy

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Sophie B

A brilliantly profound yet sad film with a great cast. It truly touched me and although the story was fairly predictable it was Caine that made the character. Despite his bad actions you still felt for him as he was genuinely sorry for what he did. The themes they explored were… More
A brilliantly profound yet sad film with a great cast. It truly touched me and although the story was fairly predictable it was Caine that made the character. Despite his bad actions you still felt for him as he was genuinely sorry for what he did. The themes they explored were difficult to watch. Incredibly sad and I think I'll only watch it if I feel sad already.
Jim H

A ten-year-old boy growing up in a nursing home run by his parents questions the great mysteries of life and death with the help of a kindly, though troubled, resident. I read multiple reviews of this film describing it as "little," or otherwise diminutive, but just because… More
A ten-year-old boy growing up in a nursing home run by his parents questions the great mysteries of life and death with the help of a kindly, though troubled, resident. I read multiple reviews of this film describing it as "little," or otherwise diminutive, but just because it is an independent film, I don't think it's not ambitious. In fact, I almost think that the inclusion of themes of death, redemption, loss, memory, and troubled childhood makes this film too ambitious, as though it might have bitten off more than it can chew. However, Jon Crowley's direction provides a sturdy hand to a potentially unsteady ship. It occasionally wanders into a side plot, but Crowley makes every effort to keep us primarily interested in the boy's journey rather than the supporting characters'. The film's highlight is Michael Caine's performance. He is amazing as the sometimes bitter, sometimes regretful, sometimes entertaining aging resident. Caine's tears seem as natural as his charm, and he once again proves that he can bring his A-game to a script that properly utilizes his talents. Overall, <i>Is Anybody There</i> may wander and may push the envelope too far, but it is ultimately worth watching.
danny d

a movie about life. sadly, this is destined to be the underwatched and underappreciated film of 2009. caine is brilliant as always, and the texture and mood of the film is developed so well by the music and camera work that i was completely drawn in to the story. the story itself… More
a movie about life. sadly, this is destined to be the underwatched and underappreciated film of 2009. caine is brilliant as always, and the texture and mood of the film is developed so well by the music and camera work that i was completely drawn in to the story. the story itself is beautiful. in just 90 minutes we see complex and deep portraits of the lives of an 11 year old boy, a married couple in their late thirties, and a man in his eighties on his way out of this life. in hitting all generations effectively, anyone of any age can relate to the film, and i found myself actually relating to each of the characters, not just the ones in my age group. an excellent screenplay that blended humor and drama and overall a perfect movie.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey DIRECTED BY: Jon Crowley Set in 1980's seaside England, this story is about a boy named Edward who's home has been turned into a nursing home. He is obsessed with death, the afterlife, and ghosts. He spends… More
Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey DIRECTED BY: Jon Crowley Set in 1980's seaside England, this story is about a boy named Edward who's home has been turned into a nursing home. He is obsessed with death, the afterlife, and ghosts. He spends his time tape recording the elderly people hoping to try and figure out what happens to them when they die. Edward is an outcast and spends his time alone researching the after life. But when Clarence comes along Edward starts to come out of his shell a bit. Clarence is a retired magician who is bitter about the life he has lived because of all the mistakes he has made and the regrets he has. I really liked this movie. Thought is was an honest look at life. How were out there living it one moment, then how were watching it slowly slip away. This film gives us a little lesson about living for the moment and not letting our past regrets be our future regrets. To not let our past dictate our future. This movie is a drama but it has it's humorous moments as well. I also liked how they portrayed the elderly people. Not weak, still feisty and I really liked the vulgar talking one. Especially the scene with him and the priest. So funny. Michael Caine does an amazing job at portraying Clarence. He is funny but yet really pulls at your heart strings. He really brings his character alive by the pain and confusion he is feeling. Bill Milner did an amazing job as well. Just a good film.
Jake .

I was slightly fasinated and mildly irritated all the way through this, so it was definately not a winner for me. Even at a mere 90 minutes it seemed like it lasted forever. I really do not like to be so negative, but Is Anybody There? just did not win me over. Its whimsical yet… More
I was slightly fasinated and mildly irritated all the way through this, so it was definately not a winner for me. Even at a mere 90 minutes it seemed like it lasted forever. I really do not like to be so negative, but Is Anybody There? just did not win me over. Its whimsical yet pretty deadpan. We see confused and disatified people from all walks of live; but the only character I really felt any empathy towards was the mother-I do not remember who the actress was. There are also some mild macabre touches, something I would usually adore. The is pleanty of base material to create something great, but Is Anybody There? is just mediocre. Its not Bad at all, it just isn't Good. So, watch if you want, skip it if you like. Either way you have not gained or lost anything at all.
Gordon A

Slight, nostalgic tale from the Eighties about dealing with grief, with strong central performances from Caine and Milner as the outsiders who tussle then bond. But herein lies its problem, as it feels well worn and predictable. Enjoyable if underwhelming.
Walter M

Normally, ten-year old Edward's(Bill Milner) fascination with death might seem a little creepy but then his parents(Anne-Marie Duff & David Morrissey) do run a mom and pop rest home where he has seen plenty of people die. Edward gets too close a look at the grim reaper one… More
Normally, ten-year old Edward's(Bill Milner) fascination with death might seem a little creepy but then his parents(Anne-Marie Duff & David Morrissey) do run a mom and pop rest home where he has seen plenty of people die. Edward gets too close a look at the grim reaper one day when he is almost run over by Clarence(Michael Caine), a retired and bitter magician, who has come to stay. Although, maybe not for long as he tries to check out early via carbon monoxide but Edward saves his life. "Is Anybody There?" is a passable movie that handles its difficult topic well in an offbeat fashion. And the performances by the principal actors especially Michael Caine, who is almost always a treat to watch, and Anne-Marie Duff are excellent. On the other hand, the tone is uneven and an extraneous subplot involving the father takes up too much time. And a person losing his mind should never be considered funny.
Lesley N

One of those films you know is going to end up in the Odeon Silver screen slot (free tea and biscuits supplied). Michael Caine arrives at an old peoples care home with a memory in decline, a heart full of regrets, and a van full of magic tricks. A bitty story, but a fitting… More
One of those films you know is going to end up in the Odeon Silver screen slot (free tea and biscuits supplied). Michael Caine arrives at an old peoples care home with a memory in decline, a heart full of regrets, and a van full of magic tricks. A bitty story, but a fitting performance from Mr Caine as the irrascible and incorrigible pensioner . Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; rage, rage against the dying of the light...
Chris M

<i>Is Anybody There?</i> is the only film in quite some time that is completely predictable, yet fully enjoyable.
Sarah B

My answer would be no. This is a slight film, with little characterisation, almost no plot and a very weird tone. It is overly morose with tiny bursts of black humour. However the acting is superb, with Duff and Morrissey working hard to make do with the small roles, but especially… More
My answer would be no. This is a slight film, with little characterisation, almost no plot and a very weird tone. It is overly morose with tiny bursts of black humour. However the acting is superb, with Duff and Morrissey working hard to make do with the small roles, but especially from Milner (from Son of Rambow, shameless plugging here, but it does serve as a companion piece as both films star the same actor, with characters living in an old peoples' home and set in the 80's) and Caine. If Caine got an Oscar for a very similar part in the Cider House Rules he should get some awards for this film.