Like the previous Oscar winner Crash, The Visitor is a story about how just one person can change your life. In this superlative, emotional film; Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) is a sixty two year old economics professor living in Connecticut, who has lost his passion for teaching and writing and is trying different things to fill the deep void in his life. When his college sends him into Manhattan to attend a conference, he decides to stay in his apartment in the city, to his surprise he finds a young couple who through a real estate scam have taken up residence. The young couple Tarek (Haaz Sleiman), a Syrian man, and Zainab (Danai Gurira), a Senegalese woman have nowhere else to go and being the gracious man he is, Walter decides to let the couple stay with him until they find somewhere else to go, grateful for Walters kindness Tarek, a talented musician insists on teaching him how to play the African drum. Through the instrument’s energetic rhythms Walter finds strength in his wavering spirit. The friendship between these two men deepens through the lively world of jazz clubs and Central Park drum circles, until one day when Tarek is arrested in a Subway station as an illegal immigrant and held for deportation. Walter is compelled to help his new friend with a passion he had long ago lost, through these new found friendships with these strangers Walter is awakened to world he has never known. This script is brilliantly penned, heartfelt and passionate. Richard Jenkins gives an award-worthy performance and director Tom McCarthy achieves the perfect blend of compassion and love. Some moments in the movie may be hard to follow, a lot is said through emotions shown in these tremendous actors faces. This film is available on DVD and watch instantly on NetFlix so grab a sighted friend and prepare to be enlightened.
Nominated for:
Best Actor: Richard Jenkins
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Picture
Best Director : Tom McCarthy
Best Original Screenplay
(Overture Films)
Starring: Richard Jenkins, Hiam Abbass, Haaz Sleiman and Danai Gurira
