Akito HirataReview - The Visitor
February 22nd 2009 11:39
Richard Jenkins plays Professor Walter Vale, an economics professor living in Connecticut. Letting life just pass him by after the death of his wife, Walter unwillingly travels to New York to present a paper at a conference. Not having visited his New York apartment in a while, Walter discovers that his apartment has been let as part of a real estate scam to Tarek (Haaz Sleiman), a drummer from Syria and Zainab (Danai Jekesai Gurira), a jewellery maker from Senegal.
This story relies heavily on human interaction and superb acting and Walter strikes up an immediate friendship to Tarek, despite Zainab's hesitancy to open up to him and allows them to stay with him in the apartment. Tarek and Walter couldn't be more different in terms of character or personality. Walter is seemingly dull, quiet and stodgy whereas Tarek is vibrant, open and alive.
Walter hires an immigration lawyer to assist with Tarek's case and Zainab, uncomfortable to remain without Tarek, moves out of the apartment to stay with her cousin. After being alone for so long it is clear that Walter is beginning to enjoy the human contact and is glad for the arrival of Tarek's mother Mouna (Hiam Abbass).
Don't be deceived. This is not an alls well that ends well movie. If you have ever had any dealings with immigration then you know that the system can be complicated and sometimes duly unfair. Slightly political in it's message, the movie does not dwell on the issue but rather guides you through the journey of these characters and the relationships that they foster.
The acting from the four leads in the movie is well balanced although the star of the movie is clearly Richard Jenkins and well deserving of his best actor nomination at the Academy Awards.
A graceful, heartfelt movie with some predictable moments but then again, life doesn't have to be unpredictable for it to be enjoyable.
Cinema Voyage: 4/5
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