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| Movie Review: The Visitor Alternate Title: Stranger in a Strange Land
Story: Former actor, now director
and writer Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent) has
found his true calling. He is a masterful film maker with a lot to say.
His films are small with universal ideas and appeal. This second film
hits a home run (with the bases loaded). Widower, Walter Vale, our reluctant hero, is
introduced as a lonely, repressed, middle aged Economics Connecticut
college teacher who goes through the tedious motions of living his life.
Robotic and detached to all, he seems as if in a fog. When he has to
deliver a paper at NYU for a colleague his world changes. He goes to
stay at his rarely used apartment of 25 years in the Village he finds
Zainab, a Sengalese woman and Tarik, her Syrian boyfriend living there.
Feeling an unusual touch of empathy he allows them to stay for a few
days until they find new living quarters. Walters world slowly cracks open as these people
seep into his pores, his life and ultimately his heart. When Tarik is
arrested the film changes beat and writer McCarthy's message is revealed.
Without lecturing or hammering the rights and wrongs of the 'system'
we understand the frustration and unfairness of the Immigration department.
This is a beautiful and eloquent film about connecting
to other people, friendship, values and passion. Do yourself a favor
and go to see this masterful work. Acting: Richard Jenkins ( TV's Six
Feet Under) is brilliant. The character he plays could easily have
turned into a cartoon by a lesser talent but Jenkins slowly slips out
of his suit of armor, finds his humanity and we are the winners in that
transformation. Haaz Sleiman as Tarik is perfect. His
warmth, his smile, his fear and his overall passion for life is contagious.
Danai Gurira as Zainab is lovely. She plays the always
fearful illegal immigrant with heart nd soul. Hiam Abbass
as Tarik's mother was also perfect. Kudos to the casting agents for
this film . Critters: Mr Sprinkles the dog
Food: Chinese takeout, Shawarma, some yummy home
cooked veggies, rice and chicken.
Sex Spectrum: Some cuddling
Blatant Product Placement: Baldwin Piano and Apple
Soundtrack: A wonderful enriching soundtrack by Jan
A.P. Kaczmarek
Opening Titles: Simple type over black background.
Most credits at the end.
Visual Art: NYC always looks good. Even the subway
looked good. The detention center in Queens, however, leaves you cold
and sad.
Theater Audience: A few viewers at the Landmark Sunshine
theater. By the way, if you go this week keep in mind that Yonah Shimmel's
is closed for Passover so you will not be able to smell those wonderful
knishes.
Weather: The weather was temperate with a little rain.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: I welled up a bit toward the end but
my movie buddy used all of my tissues and some of hers. She wept and
wept mostly because she cared so deeply for these fine human beings.
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Soap Box: Our immigration policy is hateful, racist,
cruel, rigid and is in need of an urgent overhaul.
Big Screen or Rental: Support your local Indie flick
and see it in the theater.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 9 |