My son and I revived Movie Night.  We have chosen to downsize and simplify our lifestyle so that means Netflix rather than seeing movies in the theater.

Tonight we watched the British drama “Is Anybody There?” starring Michael Caine. It’s set in a seaside English town in the 1980′s.

Edward’s parents have turned their home into a retirement home to make ends meet. It’s a little creepy, but seems perfect for Edward who is obsessed with ghosts.

Michael Caine plays The Amazing Clarence, a retired magician who checks himself into the home. Clarence is crotchety and cranky and grieving the loss of his wife.

Edward’s lonely so he befriends Clarence and badgers him into teaching him some magic tricks to impress the kids at school. Clarence agrees because he has observed Edward’s obsession with death, and avoiding his life in the present.

For Edward’s 11th birthday his mother agrees to a birthday party.  And he gets Clarence to perform a magic show.  And yes, one of the tricks goes badly wrong… fail!

In spite of the morbid setting there were many humorous moments.  And Michael Caine’s acting was superb.  Some critics called it his finest performance.

I wouldn’t really call this a family movie because of the morbid topic and the requisite sexual innuendos.  But it’s a good change of pace from mindless movies… one that will cause you to ponder how well you’re living in the present.

Slumdog Millionaire