Is Anybody There?

Parkinson with Parkinson’s in a movie which, with its cynical introduction, raises the faint hope that this could perhaps be a toned-down version of Harold and Maude. However, this feeling disappears all too soon and it descends into being a regular, hundred-times-seen friendship classic that sadly plays your heartstrings. (02/10/2009)

I won't disguise the fact that when it comes to Michael Caine, I always find even the silliest film he appears in at least a little bit bearable thanks to his presence. I therefore watched Is Anybody There? thinking that it probably won't be anything groundbreaking, but it will simply be another piece in the puzzle of my favorite actor's filmography. And you know what? It really is nothing groundbreaking, but it was very enjoyable to watch. The film is as sweet as it is sad or funny, Caine (who again can absolutely do anything with a single look) found a quite capable acting partner in the little boy, the setting of the house full of old men was interestingly depressing and at several points reminded me of the orphanage from The Cider House Rules turned inside out. The film is just long enough, the script is blackly humorous in such a way that it doesn't offend anyone, and it doesn't wring emotions out of the viewer unnecessarily, but somehow manages to warm up humanly. I'm rounding up three and a half stars, but if any other actor had played the lead role, I wouldn't have done it. (16/02/2012)