The Visitor - A Movie Review

Life is filled with unexpected happenings.

The Visitor is a 2007 film. Walter, a college professor, travels to New York City to attend a conference. He ends up in a completely different story when he finds a young immigrant couple living in his apartment. They open up his lonely world until Walter needs to fight for them.

The Visitor is an impactful story about a real situation going on in the world right now. This is a film about making connections. Life won’t always turn out the way it’s expected, but The Visitor enforces how you must try new things. You only get one life.

Walter (Richard Jenkins) is a devoted person. He starts as an unhappy man who is uninterested in connecting with society. Richard Jenkins is wonderful in how he reads this character. His meltdown in one scene pours anger, defeat, and an ounce of hope.

Walter teaches viewers how to be better when they find what makes them happy. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his understated performance. This is the type of acting that needs to be recognized more. Emotions express pivotal story cues.

Haaz Sleiman (Tarek) and Danai Gurira (Zainab) had firsts in this movie. This was Gurira’s film debut who later starred in Black Panther. Zainab gives a powerful performance as a reserved woman but remains kindhearted.

In contrast to his character’s devoted drum playing, Sleiman didn’t know how to play the drums! He practiced for three hours a day for a month and a half. Tarek is a charismatic person which is performed tremendously by Sleiman. He made audiences empathize with him as Tarek undergoes wrongful accusations in the immigration law system.

Jenkins and Sleiman worked well together, creating a genuine bond through drumming. The drum-playing sequences were my favorite. They even drum while Tarek is imprisoned. The use of music, particularly the drumming, adds a unique texture to the film. Tarek’s teachings give Walter a new calling.

Hiam Abbass is exceptional in Tarek’s mother, Mouna. Like Zainab, Mouna also has a quiet strength about her. She is the definition of a devoted mother. Walter and Mouna’s growing connection is poignant as they find solace in each other's company.

What I like about The Visitor is that nobody is mean-spirited. While the officers in charge of the immigration offices are acting unfairly, they remain helpful.

I like this movie’s rhythm. It’s not what I was expecting. Scenes are paced well. The tone shifts in the second act from happy and heartfelt to somber. Listen closely to the music in the background. The classical piano music is the same style throughout the film but becomes more melancholic in the second act.

Tom McCarthy doesn’t make The Visitor predictable. One of the most impactful aspects of the film is its authenticity. His direction is restrained, never overplaying the drama. The film doesn’t play out like a Hollywood film. It’s real life. Immigration is a relevant topic. The circumstances are unfair as Walter fights through several officials and laws to free Tarek.

Filming took place in New York City. The city acts as a character, both as a place for new dreams and exhibiting your darkest fears. Suddenly you feel this big city restraining you in the second act.

It’s a relatable story about finding your path. The connection between the characters is short, but they each make a big impact on one another. Nobody ever knows what will happen in life. What matters is finding your happiness.

The Visitor has a resonating story that audiences needs to experience. It's streaming on Amazon Prime.