(Spoiler Alert: For those who enjoy the frame by frame, emotional unraveling of a story as I do, read no further than this paragraph. Just know that I highly recommend this wonderful film).
The Visitor is a simple yet captivating film about a seasoned college professor who has given up. His passion, fire and drive were laid to rest along side his beloved wife many years ago. Walter Vale’s time is now spent pretending and avoiding. He suits up every morning, only to move through the empty, predictable life he has designed for himself with little as connection as necessary.
One day, despite his protest, Walter is assigned to leave the comfort of his Connecticut home for a few days to speak at a business conference in New York. He arrives at his rarely occupied New York apartment and hears an uninvited someone moving about. Walter opens his front door to step into a figurative parallel universe led by two illegal immigrants at an important crossroad in their personal journey. Walter slowly decides to join them but soon finds out he must set out on his own.
Along the way, Walter will passionately exclaim ‘its not fair’. And life is not. The untimely passing of his wife. The weight of governments on the neck of an innocent, profiled man. The guilt that a mother feels for an error of judgment. But nor is it fair that a man can squander his opportunity to enjoy his life. This lesson, when learned is the sound emanating from the African drum eventually played by Walter Vale from his heart.
Writer-director Tom McCarthy does an excellent job of presenting each character with its own life force and a genuine infusion of humanity.
Richard Jenkins,Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira and actress Hiam Abbass were excellent. With hearts exposed, each gave a powerful performance.
The Visitor is about giving: how it helps us, may hurts us and definitely how it can heal us-when given a chance.
You will most likely find this limited release film at your local indie/arthouse film venue. Support quality and go to the theater to see it if you can.
