The Phantom Tollbooth - Movies Reviews Index


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Home Subscribe About Us Features News Album Reviews Movie Reviews Past Movies Movie Resources Concert Reviews Book Reviews Top 10 Contact Us	Is Anybody There? Stars: Michael Caine, Bill Milner, David Morrissey, Anne-Marie Duff, Adam Drinkall and Rosemary Harris Director: John Crowley Scriptwriter: Peter Harness Composer: Joby Talbot Big Beach Films Rating: PG 13 for language including sexual references and disturbing images Running Length: 93 minutes What is it like to enter the twilight of one's life? As depicted in Peter Harness' script, set in England in the 1980's, you make lemonade when life hands you lemons. Michael Caine stars as Clarence, an aging magician who is ill and must stay in a home for the aged "temporarily," as he puts it. We find out that behind the facade of aging, there exists a youthful heart, a bit of romance and a "never give up" attitude. This is discovered by Edward, the young son of the Home's owners, well played by Bill Milner. Caine's van with which he traveled the country, sits in the driveway and Caine can't bring himself to mingle with the other "guests." He is irritated by Bill, who has a tape recorder and sneaks up on people to record their conversations. He is so used to death, he wants to be able to catch a person's dying breath and see if he can still hear them "talking" later. Of course, people think Bill is nuts, but he is lonely and soon, two lonely people, the aging magician and young boy become friends. Bill's parents (Anne-Marie Duff and Adam Drinkall) live on a financial edge with the Home and have problems in their marriage. Bill's maturing starts as he realizes that Caine is becoming forgetful and won't admit it. This could be a danger to himself and to others, especially during those magic tricks. "Is Anybody There" has a great deal of humor, part of which comes from the colorful, profane language used by the Home's residents. Death is ever present, and a fact of life. Michael Caine, in one of his best roles in years, dominates his scenes and none better than when he is performing his act before an audience. Bill Milner's facial expressions are well done, especially when a truth comes to him. Bill's parents, who own the Home, can't hide their situation from the residents, who have gone through similar times in their lives. Wonderful period atmosphere here and the television programs of that time include "The Two Ronnies." Actually, this particular Home, looks rather pleasant. Though this film could swaddle the audience with sentiment, it doesn't do that. There is life here and amid afternoon teas, singalongs (great soundtrack) and garden walks, optimism is kept nurtured. As Winston Churchill said, "Never give up." Copyright 2009 Marie Asner