Michael Caine, the star of this picture, is a skilled craftsman but who has been in many movies not worthy of his talent. Unfortunately, while his performance is good, this movie joins the collection of his movies not worth the time to watch.
This is the story of a preteen boy (Edward) in 1980s England living with parents who have converted their home into a home for the elderly, closer to a hospice for those waiting to die rather than a retirement home really. In this depressing environment, Edward becomes obsessed with ghosts and the supernatural. Along comes Mr. Caine as Clarence, a widower and retired magician, who wants little to do with Edward, the other residents, or life at the home. And here is where the flaws and clichés begin to mount up.
The elderly residents represent a panoply of caricatures - none of which are complimentary to the elderly, such as the drunk, the senile veteran, the flirt, and the incapacitated. Predictably Edward charms Clarence out of his shell and into caring about others. I saw nothing in Edward's behavior that would cause such a radical transformation, but of course such change is essential to the plot. As further distraction to any attempt at an original story, the parents break-up, albeit temporarily, after the father makes a pass at an 18 year old girl working for them. Of course, the parents realize that they have fallen into old married couple behavior and at the end are seen to be working it out (by going on a date and each by finally putting in some effort to look for the other).
The lesson being expounded here is that life is short so you should live life while you can because there is nothing you can do about death. Sadly, the movie did not find an interesting way to restate this wisdom.
To see my other movie reviews, please visit:
https://nomorewastedmovienights.wordpress.com
This is the story of a preteen boy (Edward) in 1980s England living with parents who have converted their home into a home for the elderly, closer to a hospice for those waiting to die rather than a retirement home really. In this depressing environment, Edward becomes obsessed with ghosts and the supernatural. Along comes Mr. Caine as Clarence, a widower and retired magician, who wants little to do with Edward, the other residents, or life at the home. And here is where the flaws and clichés begin to mount up.
The elderly residents represent a panoply of caricatures - none of which are complimentary to the elderly, such as the drunk, the senile veteran, the flirt, and the incapacitated. Predictably Edward charms Clarence out of his shell and into caring about others. I saw nothing in Edward's behavior that would cause such a radical transformation, but of course such change is essential to the plot. As further distraction to any attempt at an original story, the parents break-up, albeit temporarily, after the father makes a pass at an 18 year old girl working for them. Of course, the parents realize that they have fallen into old married couple behavior and at the end are seen to be working it out (by going on a date and each by finally putting in some effort to look for the other).
The lesson being expounded here is that life is short so you should live life while you can because there is nothing you can do about death. Sadly, the movie did not find an interesting way to restate this wisdom.
To see my other movie reviews, please visit:
https://nomorewastedmovienights.wordpress.com