Movie Review: The Visitor

CIonnecticut resident Walter Vale is your classic nerd. Busy teaching at college this mild-mannered professional is as meek as they come. Work, however, necessitates a quick trip to the Big Apple. What was supposed to be a routine working holiday turns into quite the ordeal as Walter meets these two strangers and they become immersed in an unbelievable chain of events that will leave deep scars on everyone.

Whether you support or oppose U.S. immigration policy you can’t help but feel the high drama when the authorities are exercising their job description. Just how minorities or criminals are treated comes under scrutiny as an innocent bystander becomes a full blown participant in the U.S. justice system alongside people seeking freedom and a new life.

Desperate people and their actions speak volumes here as does the way people from different backgrounds and ethnicities interact. As if that wasn’t enough emotional turmoil you also have Mouna Khalis, Tarek’s mother, arrive on the scene to further throw a wrench in this gut-wrenching tale of power and survival.

Stand-up guy Richard Jenkins (The Kingdom) perfectly plays the professorial type and his dead panning droll expressions are the perfect counterweight to the vibrant youth and exuberance displayed by our two new arrivals, well acted by Haaz Sleiman (American Dreamz) and Danai Jekesai Gurira. Late to arrive but of no less impact is the appearance of Hiam Abbass (Munich) who exhibits loving tendencies in a caring, compassionate way most mothers would appreciate.

Slow but highly emotional The Visitor is an indictment of sorts for the whole immigration process. Realistic exposes on the bureaucratic entanglements of the power wielders translates well to the plight of the downtrodden and misunderstood in this very emotional 103 minute movie.

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