“The Visitor” is a 2007 indie arthouse film that deals in simplistic reality. It was written and directed by Tom McCarthy, who I recognized from “The Wire.” McCarthy would win the 2008 Independent Spirit Award for Best Director. The movie stars the great Richard Jenkins who I know from “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” Jenkins would receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance.
Set in a post-9/11 New York City, the film deals with a wide range of themes, including depression, immigration, and finding peace with the common language of music.
Great Performances
Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) is a college professor in Connecticut. The story starts with Walter struggling through a piano lesson. As we see Walter teaching, working in his office, and interacting with a student, we know something is amiss. His mind is preoccupied. And he either wants something more from his life or has completely given up. Exactly what remains to be told, but Richard Jenkins is brilliant at conveying this facet, revealed through few words and subdued emotion.
Walter goes to New York City for a conference and has a chance encounter with Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) a Syrian immigrant. Walter and Tarek form a touching connection, bonding over music. Tarek teaches Walter to play the Djembe, and the pair connect in an enjoyable way. I could watch the interactions between Richard Jenkins and Haaz Sleiman all day.
The story takes a harsh turn when Tarek, an illegal immigrant, is arrested. Facing the threat of deportation, Walter faces off against an impossible system to secure the release of his friend.
100 Minutes
I normally complain that a film is too long. “The Visitor” errs in that there’s room for so much more. The First and third acts move fast, and not enough time is spent developing the relationships that form. First between Walter and Tarek, and then between Walter and Tarek’s mom (Hiam Abbass). Danai Gurira plays Tarek’s wife, Zainab, an interesting character that also has little time on screen.
Tom McCarthy has said he started crafting a narrative around the characters of Walter and Tarek, and the rest came together as he went. While the story is compelling, I couldn’t help but think there were elements missing that kept it as good in lieu of great.
It was shot on location in New York City, and that always makes for a great setting. Particularly with a simple indie story like this. It’s strange to see the skyline, after the fall of the Twin Towers and before the completion of the new World Trade Center. Urban art adds to the scenery. I cheered at one point when Walter walked past a garage spraypainted with the iconic “GTA: San Andreas” girl.
A Good Film
The topic of immigration, and the handling of migrants is again at the forefront of the news. It’s a complex issue, and “The Visitor” doesn’t dive deep into the legalities. The movie has a more realistic ending than what one may expect. That’s fine, but not as fun.
“The Visitor” is a very good film. The acting is pleasing and the story, while sad at times, is well written. More depth and less realism would have made it an all-time favorite.
