From the writer/director of 2003's The Station Agent. Economics professor Walter Vale (the fantastic Richard Jenkins) is the shy, disillusioned male at the centre of Thomas McCarthy's ensemble piece, who returns to his New York apartment after a long absence to find it occupied by a couple of illegal immigrants. Convivial Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) is a talented drummer who encourages Walter out of his protective shell, while his prickly girlfriend Zainab (Danai Gurira) carries the burden of their perilous citizenship status.
Each learns something new from the other, but just when you think you have this film pinned, it takes off in an unexpected direction.
Widowed college professor Walter Vale leads an aimless, unsatisfied life until he becomes embroiled in the lives of an immigrant couple living in New York City. They fill his life with renewed energy and purpose, largely through music, before an encounter with post 9/11 immigration policies intensifies the relationship and tests their newly forged connection.
Although the story is structured around the rebirth of Walter's spirit, it spends a big chunk of screen time meditating on the realities of American immigration policy. Unfortunately, this subject is a bulky one and director Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent) can't always find the best way to get his message across. Since his attempted use of humanist, apolitical storytelling methods are actually a veneer for liberal ideology, some of the attempts to pluck on the heartstrings can seem insincere. It's an approach with good intentions, but seems to neutralise his potential to make the political points he clearly wants to. At times, the immigration system seems to be portrayed with a Kafka-esque bent that is a much more effective critique than some of the heavy handed symbolism employed elsewhere.
The sub-text of social musings keeps the pace at a gentle, contemplative rate. While at times it stretches scenes a little too far, the approach allows ample screen time for the cast to carve out rich, rounded characters. The acting of the principle figures really is the highlight of this film, particularly Richard Jenkins as Walter. If only the focus was more on him and less on immigration policies. Instead, The Visitor is a well acted, well meaning film that ends up chasing its tail when it wanders into political territory.
By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
An wonderful movie that had me both laughing and crying. An excellent portrayal of the treatment of failed asylum seekers.
An interesting story with about the right amounts of tension, suspense and "I wonder what the next move is", but a bit slow moving to start with.
Nice little character-based movie. Not enough of these. Richard Jenkins is absolutely great as Walter. One of the best performances of 2008. Well done, Richard.
The tension dips occasionally but stick with it and you'l be richly rewarded.
A compelling and illuminating story of four people who form an unlikely and momentary friendship of considerable depth.
The curious thing about The Visitor is that even as it goes more or less where you think it will, it still manages to surprise you along the way.
A heartfelt human drama that sneaks up and floors you.
It works on several levels, and stands out as a wistful meditation on the psychological cost of 9/11.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 4th Dec 2008.
Release date: December 4th 2008.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
