His philosophy has always been to take anything that comes his way, although he has been more discerning since he formed his own production company. Caine has a best supporting actor nomination for his performance as Larch, the doctor who runs an orphanage and who performs abortions out of compassion for both the mothers and the unborn children. The core of the film is his relationship with one of his charges, Homer, played by Tobey Maguire . Everything you could think of to do emotionally as an actor is there in Dr Larch. The film has elements of comedy and tragedy but it isn't really either of those things entirely.
Life can be tragic or comic, or a success or a disaster.
It is all of those things at different given times. Caine says he can only respond to an easygoing atmosphere on any set. Some actors work out of tension, but I work out of relaxation. I can't give anything on a tight set. I can only work if everyone else also is relaxed.