FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Is Anybody There? [DVD] [2008]

Is Anybody There? [DVD] [2008]
enlarge	Director: John Crowley Actors: Michael Caine, Sylvia Sims, David Morrissey, Leslie Phillips, Anne-Marie Duff Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment Category: DVD List Price: ~~£17.99~~ Buy New: £7.68 as of 22/11/2009 01:05 GMT details You Save: £10.31 (57%) New (15) Used (1) from £7.68 Seller: cavalcade-of-dvds Rating: 4 reviews Sales Rank: 1109 Format: PAL Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over Region: 2 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 91 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5055201807922 ASIN: B002B55GYM Theatrical Release Date: 2008 Release Date: September 14, 2009 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Customer Reviews: Masterclass October 26, 2009 Mr. David Halliday (Ilkeston Derbyshire United Kingdom) 8 out of 8 found this review helpful Edward is fed up. Stuck in a run down retirement home run by his parents in the mid 80's he finds his room being occupied by wrinklies who are not long for this world. Young Edward helps pass the time by recording the old 'uns sleeping in the hope he will catch one dying and thus find out what happens when we die. Into the home comes grumpy old curmudgeon Clarence,(Caine), who takes a dislike to just about everyone but eventually takes Edward under his wing. Clarence was a magician and it's through his sleight of hand tricks and magic show that he helps Edward see the bigger picture, stop worrying about death and in return Edward helps him face his own end. br /This manages to avoid all the usual problems that come with this type of film. Theres no mawkishness, this is really pretty grim stuff, every laugh,(and theres a lot), is counterbalanced by a sad moment. For a change we are not bombarded by an endless soundtrack of 'music of the era' but rather a melancholy saw whines away and lends a very grim atmosphere. br /Caine is up there with the best when he gets a script he likes. He is totally convincing as the lonely old man, regretting his past so much that he is fighting the inevitable end his rapidly worsening dementia is swiftly bringing. He swings from old grump with a quick blast of "bugger off!" to reaching out to help Edward to lost and bewildered seamlessly and with ease. Understated and yet a commanding presence in every scene he is in. Bill Milner as Edward does a great job of keeping up with his illustrious acting partner as he lends believability to his fed up but feisty boy trying to get to grips with his life. The two work together very well and at no point can you see either of them 'acting' it's all very natural. br /They are well supported by Anne-Marie Duff David Morrissey as Edwards struggling mum dad. No great histrionics here just a normal couple trying to keep their heads above water and making mistakes. Duff is particularly good as the mum, a very sympathetic character who is trying to hold everything together. There's a nice cameo performance from Leslie Phillips too. br /This manages to balance laugh out loud moments with grim realities very well and although the atmosphere always remains quite dark it's not overdone. br /The picture is fine with a slightly washed-out effect to the colours adding a sense of atmosphere. Sound is all about dialogue which is clear and well centred. br /The extras are a bit sparse, just a collection of short interviews which are chopped up to make them seem longer, but give some insight into how the actors felt about their roles. Caine in particular was quite clearly very happy to have been involved and is well worth listening to. It makes a change to hear interviews that don't see the actors all gushing about each other in the usual sickening self-congratulatory manner that usually accompanies a film. br /This funny film remains well grounded in reality and is blessed with a light hand from the directors chair, some very funny lines and a top notch performance by Caine in amongst fine work by those around him. is anybody there October 8, 2009 R. Jackson (derbyshire) 6 out of 6 found this review helpful Never Laughed so much , First saw it at the Cinema, The whole audience was in uproar. Michael Caine at his best, also the boy who plays Edward(Bill Milner) is a fine actor for his age, also some old faces.Very touching in parts. We were there November 19, 2009 Nala Rallip (Devon) My wife and I saw this with two friends one wet afternoon having no previous knowledge of the film. We found it entertaining and very moving too, we all laughed and cried in equal measures. Superb casting and wonderful performances by all. Disappointing November 14, 2009 Flora (Scotland) 0 out of 1 found this review helpful Long and drawn out action. Dialogue difficult to make out at times. Poor movie very disappointing after the hype it got.

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