Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Movie Review: "Is Anybody There?"

Is Anybody There?

Directed by: John Crowley

Starring: Michael Caine, Bill Milner

Rated: PG-13 for language, including sexual references, and disturbing images.


With the potential of being heartfelt and warm, Is Anybody There? is nothing but cold and disconnected. The magic of the imagery and story is wasted because the filmmakers can't decide what of movie they're making, which is noticeable from the first line to the last scene. One would think that a story about a boy befriending an elderly man living in his family's home would be an easy choice for a heartfelt drama, but the filmmakers didn't get the memo; it's not a family movie, let alone a kids movie. Despite it's derived beauty, the film feels disconnected from its audience, leaving you unconcerned about what's happening. Even Michael Caine's splendid performance can't salvage the feelings the story tries to conjour up. Despite it's attempt of redemption at the end, Is Anybody There? is a mere ghost of the film it wants to be; it initially looks like the real thing, but you eventually see through it. One has to wonder, when the theater lights came back one, if anybody was still there.

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