Rain must change the lineup rules at the Ryerson, ’cause 35 minutes before my screening of Is There Anybody There? (tiff) the line had already disappeared into the theatre. I wandered in, grabbed a good seat and knocked off several more pages of Generation Kill.

I really had low expectations for this film since it wasn’t one of my top picks, but it fit the schedule. And hey, it had Michael Caine and the director of Boy A. Both were in attendance for the screening, which was a nice treat. Caine really is one of the legends of acting today, and the audience showed their appreciation for his career with a standing ovation upon entering.

The film was a pleasant surprise. Caine and Bill Millner (from Son of Rambow) carried a strong story about a buy surrounded by — and fascinated with — death and aging and his run-in with old grump Caine. Good work from the supporting cast as well, from his parents to the residents of the old age home. A gentle, funny, touching film, if not exactly in my wheelhouse.

Somewhere between C+ and B-

[tags]tiff, tiff08, is there anybody there[/tags]