The Visitor Review

Connection is everything

Director: Thomas McCarthy
Release Date: 18 April 2008 (USA)
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 104 min



This Tom McCarthy Drama popped into my must watch list after comic con as the leading man in the movie is Richard Jenkins who will be playing "The Father" in the American remake of Let the right one in(Let me in) and he looked perfect for that role. After watching The Visitor i must say he is a splendid actor.

Dr Walter Vale's is asked to head to New York City to attend a conference about a book he helped co write. He doesn't feel the need to attend this conference but his boss gives him no other choice but to travel to NYC.

When Walter arrives at his old place in New York he finds that some one has turned it into their home. Zainab played by Danai Jekesai is taking a bath and is scared to have Walter walk in on her. Tarek played by Haaz Sleiman is introduced in this scene as well. As the movie goes on we see Walter change as a character, Something I dont often see in movies these days or at least not done as well as it was here. Going from an old lonely man to someone who has found new meaning in his life.

The cast is wonderful and plays well with one another, The musical scenes add a nice touch of depth to the movie. Going from one music type to another as the story unfolds.

Tarek and Walter are bonding well until the cops take Tarek in after jumping the broken turnstile in the subway. The story takes another turn this time into a political crime movie, but dont let that scare you away. Tarek's mother joins us late in the film to yet again build another character and complete another.

Very hard for me to tell you about this movie as its something of character that just unfolds as you watch it, The drama part of it will definitely turn people away but if this is your type of movie it will keep you in. The music that brings the whole film together is amazing. As is the acting of Richard Jenkins as Walter.

Tom's writing is amazing given the depth of the script and the things he was able to play across in his characters is just amazing in of its self, He can make you feel emotion within the people he has in front of you without needing to really tare your heart out like most drama films do. Add that he has some fine camera work that shows of the beauty of New York City as well as nice frame work.

Learn to love and accept could be the motto in this film, Connection in people is something it does well. for this reason alone i highly recommend movie goers to enjoy the character build that this movie brings and to enjoy the bond of the visitor.

It is a crime movie of sorts as i also noticed IMDB listed it as one but dont expect it to be more crime then drama.

I understand i said Character alot in this review but that was because this movie is full of it and most people will over look it because it isnt about the Blood or sex or violence in this movie. Also a bit of a strange film to review post Comic Con but as i stated above I did have a reason because of Mr Jenkins getting the role in "Let Me In" which i think will be a perfect character for him.

Let me know if you connected with the movie or was it something you would ship away.