Edward (Bill Milner) is a 10-year-old boy in 1987 rural England, and he hates the fact that his parents have recently turned their large house into a retirement home filled with elderly people. It does give him a chance to indulge his favorite hobby, though: investigating what happens after death. When a new resident, Clarence (Michael Caine), arrives with a surly attitude and teaches Edward a thing or two, their friendship changes both their lives.

CRITIQUE

The Hollywood engine has long seemed to run on youth -- stories featuring the various adventures of the young, populated by the latest crop of good-looking young actors, far outnumber others. Sometimes, however, an effective story dealing with old age can appear on film, and a child’s perspective is often included. This is such a movie. Is Anybody There? engages the emotions with a script that combines an optimistic tone with serious themes and with excellent performances.

Though the themes tackled in narrative of Is Anybody There? are serious in nature-- aging, death, life after death -- the tone they are presented within the film is upbeat. Edward’s preoccupation with the paranormal is shown in scenes with comedic touches. He sets off the home’s fire alarm so he can be alone in the house to investigate, for example. A few of the residents pass away during the course of the story as well, and these situations are surprisingly milked for humor, too.

Another surprise here for many viewers will be the sweetness of the interaction between Edward and Clarence. It is too trite to say Clarence teaches the boy life lessons, or that he becomes like a grandfather to Edward. The relationship changes Edward in positive ways-- he comes to make friends easier, his interests evolve to include things besides the paranormal. In other words, Clarence shows the boy the importance of an emphasis on life instead of death.

There is sadness in the plotting, as Clarence’s senility begins to set in and he slips away more and more. This is deeply touching, mainly due to the Caine’s undeniable talent. When an acting legend like him takes a role like this, success is assured, but the supporting cast impresses as well. Morrissey, as Edward’s father, does well with a character going through a mid-life crisis and who could be unlikeable. Also strong is Anne-Marie Duff (James McAvoy’s missus) as Edward’s mother and Milner as Edward himself, who has substantial natural talent to build on for future roles. Director Crowley makes the most of all of this, and gives this film a less ambiguous ending than his Boy A.

The acting, direction, and narrative of Is Anybody There? all connect with the emotions and entertain the audience.

THE VIDEO

The excellence of the widescreen format for home viewing proves itself again on this disc, with the color and picture preserved from the theatrical presentation perfectly. The great transfer of an independent film like this is really something to recommend DVD.

THE AUDIO

Of course, the audio format Dolby Digital 5.1 is used on this disc for the English language track and it is as effective as always. Another English track in Dolby Digital 2.0 is provided here, though there are no other language tracks. There are Spanish subtitles offered on the disc as well.

THE EXTRAS

Deleted Scenes: More than six-minutes worth of scenes make up the only extra on this disc. They are good scenes, though, featuring more of Caine’s remarkable performance and a bit more of Edwards’ parent’s interactions. Some viewers will wish a couple of these scenes had been included in the final version of the film, but others are left out to no great loss.

FINAL THOUGHTS