Is Anybody There?
| Is Anybody There? | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | John Crowley |
| Produced by | David Heyman |
| Written by | Peter Harness |
| Starring |
Michael Caine Bill Milner David Morrissey Anne-Marie Duff |
| Music by | Joby Talbot |
| Cinematography | Rob Hardy |
| Edited by | Trevor Waite |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Optimum Releasing |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Box office | $3,252,671[1] |
Is Anybody There? is a 2008 British drama film starring Michael Caine and directed by John Crowley. It was written by Peter Harness and produced by David Heyman, Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf. The film garnered a nomination from the London Film Critics' Circle for Bill Milner as the Young British Performer of the Year.[2]
Premise
In 1987 Edward (Bill Milner) is a ten-year-old boy who lives at an old people's home run by his parents (David Morrissey and Anne-Marie Duff). Surrounded by death and dying, he becomes obsessed with finding evidence for the afterlife, often using a tape recorder to capture his "encounters". He is helped in his search by Clarence (Michael Caine), an elderly ex-magician in the early stages of dementia who has recently entered the home. The film follows their quest and their friendship, which ultimately allows both Edward and Clarence to come to terms with their respective situations.
Cast
- Michael Caine as Clarence (magician)
- Bill Milner as Edward
- David Morrissey as Dad
- Anne-Marie Duff as Mum
- Leslie Phillips as Reg
- Sylvia Syms as Lilian
- Peter Vaughan as Bob
- Thelma Barlow as Ena
- Rosemary Harris as Elsie
- Elizabeth Spriggs as Prudence (her final performance)
Production
Shot on location in Hastings and Chalfont St Giles.[3] Folkestone Central railway station doubled as a Yorkshire station as Clarence and Edward take a trip on the train for a day out. The sea-shelter on Princes Parade in Hythe was used as a bus shelter in Hull. St Peter's Church of England Primary school in Folkestone was used as Edward's school in the film.[4]
The ethereal music throughout the film was performed by David Coulter on a musical saw.
Release
The film premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival under the title Is There Anybody There?[5] It was released in the United States on 17 April 2009 and in the United Kingdom on 1 May 2009.
References
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130088/business
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130088/awards
- ↑ Pollard, Chris (25 October 2007). "Michael Caine visits Hastings". Hastings & St Leonards Observer.
- ↑ Kent Film Office. "Kent Film Office Is Anybody There? Film Focus".
- ↑ "TIFF'08 – Is There Anybody There?". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
External links
- Official U.S. website (from Big Beach)
- Is Anybody There? at the Internet Movie Database
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