Sir Michael Caine dropped his regular fee to make new movie Is Anybody There? after the script reduced him to tears.
The Oscar winner plays a retired magician in the movie, about a young boy who grows up in a home for the elderly, and admits he would never have taken on a small-budget project for such a reduced wage - but he was forced to reconsider after reading the moving screenplay.
He says, "It's an extraordinary film. It's the only script I've ever read that made me cry. And I don't cry easily. So I said I'd do it. It's produced by David Heyman, who made (produced) the Harry Potter films, and he got me cheap. I was vulnerable."
Caine has dedicated his performance to a pal who recently lost his battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
The Oscar winner plays a retired magician in the movie, about a young boy who grows up in a home for the elderly, and admits he would never have taken on a small-budget project for such a reduced wage - but he was forced to reconsider after reading the moving screenplay.
He says, "It's an extraordinary film. It's the only script I've ever read that made me cry. And I don't cry easily. So I said I'd do it. It's produced by David Heyman, who made (produced) the Harry Potter films, and he got me cheap. I was vulnerable."
Caine has dedicated his performance to a pal who recently lost his battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
- 4/17/2009
- WENN
Michael Caine's wife Shakira was left in floods of tears after watching the actor's new film - because the movie shows him struggling with old age.
The star took his wife of over 35 years to a preview screening of his latest big screen outing, Is There Anybody There?, which sees him playing a grumpy old man who gradually succumbs to dementia.
And Shakira found the picture was so distressing, Caine, 76, was left comforting his stricken partner.
He says, "She got very upset because she watched me grow old and die in the film.
"I said to her, 'It's just a performance. I'm not like the character. I am not the same person.'"...
The star took his wife of over 35 years to a preview screening of his latest big screen outing, Is There Anybody There?, which sees him playing a grumpy old man who gradually succumbs to dementia.
And Shakira found the picture was so distressing, Caine, 76, was left comforting his stricken partner.
He says, "She got very upset because she watched me grow old and die in the film.
"I said to her, 'It's just a performance. I'm not like the character. I am not the same person.'"...
- 4/6/2009
- WENN
Michael Caine has dedicated new movie Is There Anybody There? to a late pal who died following a battle with Alzheimer's Disease - because the tragedy compelled him to take the role of an aged magician struggling with dementia.
The actor's character slowly becomes senile in the film and relies on the young son of the owners of the old-folks’ home he resides in to help him stay lucid.
And Caine admits he didn't have to dig too deep for the role - because he watched his friend struggle with memory loss.
He tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper, "One of my closest friends - he was only 68 - just died of Alzheimer’s... Dougie having dementia was a reason I wanted to do it (film).
"But, also, from a purely selfish point of view, it was a hell of a part to do. I’m now looking for things that are different and stretch me. I don’t work very much. So a movie sort of has to grab me."
Caine is thrilled with the film, but the same can't be said for his wife Shakira: "She got very upset, because she watched me grow old and die. I said, 'It’s a performance. I am not like him. I am not the same person.'"...
The actor's character slowly becomes senile in the film and relies on the young son of the owners of the old-folks’ home he resides in to help him stay lucid.
And Caine admits he didn't have to dig too deep for the role - because he watched his friend struggle with memory loss.
He tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper, "One of my closest friends - he was only 68 - just died of Alzheimer’s... Dougie having dementia was a reason I wanted to do it (film).
"But, also, from a purely selfish point of view, it was a hell of a part to do. I’m now looking for things that are different and stretch me. I don’t work very much. So a movie sort of has to grab me."
Caine is thrilled with the film, but the same can't be said for his wife Shakira: "She got very upset, because she watched me grow old and die. I said, 'It’s a performance. I am not like him. I am not the same person.'"...
- 4/1/2009
- WENN
London -- Indie distributor Optimum Releasing has secured U.K. theatrical and video rights to John Crowley's “Is There Anybody There?" the company said Friday.
Starring Michael Caine, David Morrissey, Anne-Marie Duff, Leslie Phillips and Bill Milner, the movie is billed as a funny story about a young boy who lives in an old people's home and strikes up an unexpected friendship with a retired magician.
Optimum said the acquisition signals its commitment to distributing British movies of note. The film is produced by David Heyman and Peter Saraf.
Starring Michael Caine, David Morrissey, Anne-Marie Duff, Leslie Phillips and Bill Milner, the movie is billed as a funny story about a young boy who lives in an old people's home and strikes up an unexpected friendship with a retired magician.
Optimum said the acquisition signals its commitment to distributing British movies of note. The film is produced by David Heyman and Peter Saraf.
- 10/24/2008
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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