On Friday, news quickly spread that Michael Caine had made his last film and was retiring from acting. In an interview on the BBC show Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review, he talked about his recent comedy Best Sellers, in which he plays a reclusive novelist. “[I]t has turned out to be my last part, really,” Caine said — and then spoke about spending the last few years working on books. “So, I’m now not an actor; I’m a writer,” he said.
Caine’s phrasing and his allusion to a spinal issue led many to conclude that he’d announced his retirement as an actor. But it turns out that this isn’t quite accurate. The style icon himself took to social media to clarify things on Saturday afternoon.
“I haven’t retired and not a lot of people know that,” Caine wrote. And, as Variety reports, Caine confirmed to them that he remains a working actor. “I’ve spent over 50 years getting up at 6 a.m. to make movies, and I’m not getting rid of my alarm clock!” he told Variety in a statement.
Caine garnered fine reviews for his performance in Best Sellers. In his review of the film at The Hollywood Reporter, Frank Scheck wrote that “[Caine] truly is a treasure who can make any film worth watching.”
The pandemic does appear to have broadened Caine’s interests. In an interview with NPR last month, he addressed things he’s learned about himself in the last year and a half. “What I am is I’m a very good gardener, and I’m a very good cook,” Caine said. “And I’m doing writing now. And all those three are on their own.” As for when we might next see him on screen, Variety‘s article mentioned that he’s currently reviewing a pair of potential projects — fine news for fans of a singular onscreen presence.
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