‘The Visitor’ Will Open your Eyes to
Liberties We Take for Granted
-----Richard Jenkins received an Oscar Nomination for Best Actor for his work in ‘The Visitor.’ Seen by few, ‘The Visitor’ may be the sleeper classic of the year. I had never seen a trailer or even heard much about the movie going in, and I can honestly say I was moved by one of the year’s best films.Liberties We Take for Granted
-----‘The Visitor’ is the story of Professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins). After the death of his wife, he is left a hollow shell. Nonchalant in nearly everything he does, he uses his book as an excuse to get out of work. When his boss tells him he has to go to New York City to talk about a research paper he had little to do with, he reluctantly heads to his apartment he owns there. As he enters his apartment after months of absence, hardly staying there himself, he is shocked to see a young couple has set up house there.
-----Richard Jenkins is masterful in one of the year’s best performances as a hollow man who finds his way back to life and love. His performance rings true with many real people who struggle to take interest in anything after the death of a loved one. His transformation is arguably one of the best the silver screen has ever witnessed. Haaz Sleiman plays Tarek Khalil with a surprising amount of depth. Offering an amazing amount of authentic charisma, while also opening up to deeper emotions, he too, gives one of the year’s best performances. Danai Jekesai Gurira plays the somewhat bitter but genuinely kind Zainab. She is relatable in a sense of her protective air, and subtle ability to open up to those who earn her trust. Hiam Abbass plays Mouna Khalil in a thoughtful role as the conflicted, but steady-headed mother of Tarek. Her eyes alone lend to the struggles of her past in an excellent showcase of surprising skill.
-----It’s hard to say much about ‘The Visitor’ while avoiding any spoilers. You’ll have to go on faith that it is an experience sure to open the eyes of Americans who so easily stereotype. Tragic and flawless in its plotting, it is an amazing story about how even the strangest of demographics can form bonds and friendship. Neither preachy nor accusatory, ‘The Visitor’ studies the grey areas of life with a subtle efficiency. With an interesting look and an alternative take on the streets of New York, ‘The Visitor’ is triumphant in its execution.
-----Everyone should see this movie. It is full of raw emotion, while never melodramatic or pretentious. It shows the other side of an often overlooked story, while also conveying the transformation in mentality of a very authentic protagonist. The story, both heartbreaking and wonderful, is sure to be enjoyed and discussed by all of its viewers for years to come. While it may be a one-time see for many, it is a rare thing when a movie can completely change my opinion and rearrange my sympathies for a real life issue so close to home.
