The Visitor

Starring: Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Jekesai Gurira, Hiam Abbass
Directed by: Thomas McCarthy
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A college professor (Richard Jenkins) discovers that a pair of illegal immigrants (Haaz Sleiman, Danai Jekesai Gurira) are living in his New York apartment. He befriends the couple, then finds himself in the middle of a battle after his newfound friend is arrested and threatened with deportation, leaving his girlfriend alone without him.

Review:

Tim: I really liked this quiet, purposeful, small film. I wasn't prepared for how emotionally invested I would become in this movie in a short period of time. At 104 minutes, the movie breezes by, adding to its small, intimate feel.

This movie works because of the terrific performances throughout the film. This is the movie that really made the movie world pay attention to Richard Jenkins. He's been in a huge amount of movies, but I'll admit it was this movie and this performance that made me finally sit up and take notice. He is wonderful in the role, giving a quiet, reserved, and emotional performance. He communicates so much with a silence look, a glance down at his feet. I really enjoyed him in this role, and I am glad he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. However, there is another performance that even surpassed Jenkins' in my mind. That is Haaz Sleiman, who gives such an emotional, energizing, amazing performance. I loved every single second of his screen time. For me, he really made the movie. Yes, Jenkins is fantastic, but the best scenes of the film are the ones with Jenkins and Sleiman together. As a Syrian musician, he brings a foreign feel to the movie, but his humanity and kindness are what draws us to his character and his performance. Danai Jekesai Gurira also is very good. If you like great acting, this movie is a must see.

This is a good movie, but it is not quite great. The individual performances are superb, and most of the movie feels quite entertaining. There are a few spots, especially in the beginning, that feel as if they could have been tightened up a bit. Still, the movie has much to like- it is a story of people connecting, across cultures and lifestyles- and finding what makes us all similar. It is also a story of friendship, of sacrifice, and love. The Visitor is a very good movie, and you will not be disappointed with it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



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