Is Anybody There?

The film is shot well, the sound is good and despite the fact there is only the merest nod at extras, they are really good. They come in the form of interviews with Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff and director John Crowley.

The interviewer asks sensible questions and elicits a measured and illuminating response from the actors and director, particularly Michael Caine, who tells us a great deal about why he is such a good film actor. His raison d’être is to end the film not with people thinking that Michael Caine played a good part in it, but with the viewer rooting for his character because they had forgotten that he was playing the part – the secret, to let go of ego and just be the role.

He has a similarly humble attitude to his fellow actors, whether they are children or not – they are all professionals and he would not presume to give them advice, he just hopes that they pick up on his cues and he on theirs. Illuminating interviews indeed, even if they are the only meagre serving of extras you get.