'Is Anybody There?' review

Michael Caine and Bill Milner (Credit: Big Beach Films)

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10-year-old Edward (Bill Milner of “Son of Rambow”) spends his days searching for paranormal activity in the family-run retirement home that he shares with his parents (Anne-Marie Duff and David Morrissey) and a variety of eccentric elderly tenants. Lonely and a bit eccentric himself, Edward doesn’t have anyone to connect with until the arrival of Clarence Parkinson (Michael Caine), a former magician trying to cope with dementia. Any guesses as to whether or not Clarence and Edward forge a bond that fills a need in both of their lives? (Here’s a hint: They do.)

The buzz: Michael Caine used to be one of those classy actors who’d turn up in a not-so-classy film just for the paycheck—hitting his low (or high?) point with “Jaws: The Revenge.” Lately he’s been a little choosier, opting mostly to work with important directors (Christopher Nolan, Alfonso Cuarón) or on indie projects with at least some hint of integrity. On this film, Caine collaborates with rising Irish filmmaker John Crowley, who directed the brash “Intermission” and the sensitive “Boy A,” both solid pieces of work.

The verdict: Marginally preferable to Peter O’Toole’s geezer dramedy “Venus,” “Is Anybody There?” is still surprisingly aimless for a film by a promising director like Crowley. Caine and Milner play off each other nicely, but there’s nothing about the story or characters that feels fresh or unexpected. Playwright-turned-screenwriter Peter Harness’ script is based on his own childhood experiences, and never breaks free from the “when I was young” formula to find its own distinctive voice. Even a subplot involving the ailing marriage between Edward’s parents—well played as it is by Duff and Morrissey—is par for the course in the genre. There’s never a sense that any of these undeniable professionals are sleepwalking through the job, just the unfortunate feeling that everyone’s talents would have been better applied to a project that couldn’t be so easily forgotten.

Did you know? Sometimes the best actors are worth waiting for. Production of the film had to be delayed by nearly a year to allow Caine to fulfill his obligations to "The Dark Knight."

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