Is Anybody There?

This is a delightful story. One minute you are sad and the next scene finds you laughing. It is a little treasure thanks to the fine performance of Michael Caine.

Michael Caine plays the part of Clarence. He is one angry sourpuss. He was a former magician with happy memories of his dead wife. He is now old and beginning to ‘lose it.’ He comes to stay at a family run seniors’ home.

Some of the humor comes from the scenes in this home. In reality it is sad but I found myself laughing. There was the senior who loved his booze. Another would doze off all the time. Yes, it is a stereotype of a senior’s home but it is done tastefully and with a lot of humor. All of them together make for quite a picture.

The lady who runs the home is loving and caring to all her boarders. At the beginning of the film her husband is a pathetic character. He does help to fix the house and keep it in shape. He spends a lot of time staring at the very young girl who comes in to help. He has a ridiculous haircut that points out that he wants to different. As the picture develops we see the couple becoming more communicative and it is very sweet.

The owners of the senior’s house have a 10 year old son Edward. He is feisty and outspoken. He also is a loner. It is kind of sad to see this young boy surrounded by so many old people. His mother tries to tell him that he is fortunate and can learn from these seniors. He has an obsession to find out about death. Edward tries to tape all the old folks as they are about to’ depart from this world.’ He has a need to know what they are experiencing. The part of Edward is played by Bill Milner. He is absolutely wonderful in his performance.

At first Edward and Clarence do not hit it off. In fact the old man is cantankerous and outspoken. Edward gives it all back to him.

A beautiful relationship develops and Clarence teaches Edward some of his magic tricks. He also teaches him a lot about life. At one point he states,” Your life changes and not always for the best.” One of my favorite scenes was of Edward and Clarence driving down the dirt road in Clarence’s old battered, wildly painted van. The two were singing. I found the film to be magical and entertaining.