Walter Vale is a man who, in spite of his status in life, has nothing to show for himself; he seems to be living in a fog and nothing affects him. This is a college professor of economics that doesn't show any emotions in his private life. We watch him trying to learn the piano, perhaps to stay connected to his late wife, who evidently had a career as a pianist. Unfortunately, he has no talent even for that.
When he has no alternative but to substitute for a colleague at an economics conference in Manhattan, he embarks in a trip that will transform him into the kind of person that even surprises Walter. What rattles him out of his dreary existence is the surprise he gets when he goes to the apartment he keeps in the city and finds a black woman using his bathtub. He is shocked to find his home invaded by Zainab, and her boyfriend, Tarek, both young and illegal immigrants.
Walter, who is not a bad person, allows the couple to stay, and share the apartment with him until they can get another place. Loving music he gets interested in the African drum Tarek plays. When the young man offers to coach Walter in the use of the instrument, Walter awakens to the rhythm produced by it. Those cadences conquer Walter. When Tarek invites him to join the impromptu players in the park, he realizes what he has been missing.
Unfortunately, Tarek is apprehended in a subway incident in which he is an innocent victim. Because not having the documents to live in the United States, he is jailed at an immigration detention center. Tarek's mother, Mouna, who lives in another state, but keeps in contact with her son, realizes something is happening and arrives at the apartment, where Walter is now alone since Zainab has moved with relatives. However much he tries to help Tarek, he is rendered impotent because of the legal aspect of the situation.
Walter finds in Mouna a kindred spirit. Mouna, in turn, finds the goodness in Walter's heart in the way he goes out of his way to help her son. Sadly, Mouna, too, is an illegal immigrant whose status doesn't allow her to do anything for her son. Eventually, she too will have to go, leaving Walter alone. All is not hopeless because Walter finds his peace in playing the drum, his newly found passion in the oddest places in Manhattan, fulfilling his dreams.
Thomas McCarthy, the director and writer of "The Visitor", is a new voice in the American cinema. He is an uncompromising man in presenting us this story about the awakening of a kind soul that seems to live in a world of his own. With "The Visitor", he continues to surprise us as he did with "The Station Agent". Mr. McCarthy is attuned with characters the viewer clearly identifies with. His Walter Vale reminds us, in a way, of Finbar McBride, the subject of his previous film. Both are men that are into themselves; their lives parallel each other's.
The director gets a tremendous performance from Richard Jenkins, a character actor that surprises for his register and range as he convinces us he is this professor that has had nothing to live for until he is faced with a situation he didn't call for, but one that will make him reflect on the dull, and unproductive life he has led until he meets people that are facing a horrible ordeal.
Equally excellent is Hiam Abbass, an actress of serene beauty who always delivers because of her ability to transform herself into the character she is playing. Ms. Abbass is an asset in any of the films she has appeared. Her Mouna is one of the best things she has done in her distinguished career. Haaz Sleiman and Deani Jekesai Gurira are seen as Tarek and Zainab, respectively.
Thomas McCarthy is to be congratulated for one of the most remarkable films so far this year.
When he has no alternative but to substitute for a colleague at an economics conference in Manhattan, he embarks in a trip that will transform him into the kind of person that even surprises Walter. What rattles him out of his dreary existence is the surprise he gets when he goes to the apartment he keeps in the city and finds a black woman using his bathtub. He is shocked to find his home invaded by Zainab, and her boyfriend, Tarek, both young and illegal immigrants.
Walter, who is not a bad person, allows the couple to stay, and share the apartment with him until they can get another place. Loving music he gets interested in the African drum Tarek plays. When the young man offers to coach Walter in the use of the instrument, Walter awakens to the rhythm produced by it. Those cadences conquer Walter. When Tarek invites him to join the impromptu players in the park, he realizes what he has been missing.
Unfortunately, Tarek is apprehended in a subway incident in which he is an innocent victim. Because not having the documents to live in the United States, he is jailed at an immigration detention center. Tarek's mother, Mouna, who lives in another state, but keeps in contact with her son, realizes something is happening and arrives at the apartment, where Walter is now alone since Zainab has moved with relatives. However much he tries to help Tarek, he is rendered impotent because of the legal aspect of the situation.
Walter finds in Mouna a kindred spirit. Mouna, in turn, finds the goodness in Walter's heart in the way he goes out of his way to help her son. Sadly, Mouna, too, is an illegal immigrant whose status doesn't allow her to do anything for her son. Eventually, she too will have to go, leaving Walter alone. All is not hopeless because Walter finds his peace in playing the drum, his newly found passion in the oddest places in Manhattan, fulfilling his dreams.
Thomas McCarthy, the director and writer of "The Visitor", is a new voice in the American cinema. He is an uncompromising man in presenting us this story about the awakening of a kind soul that seems to live in a world of his own. With "The Visitor", he continues to surprise us as he did with "The Station Agent". Mr. McCarthy is attuned with characters the viewer clearly identifies with. His Walter Vale reminds us, in a way, of Finbar McBride, the subject of his previous film. Both are men that are into themselves; their lives parallel each other's.
The director gets a tremendous performance from Richard Jenkins, a character actor that surprises for his register and range as he convinces us he is this professor that has had nothing to live for until he is faced with a situation he didn't call for, but one that will make him reflect on the dull, and unproductive life he has led until he meets people that are facing a horrible ordeal.
Equally excellent is Hiam Abbass, an actress of serene beauty who always delivers because of her ability to transform herself into the character she is playing. Ms. Abbass is an asset in any of the films she has appeared. Her Mouna is one of the best things she has done in her distinguished career. Haaz Sleiman and Deani Jekesai Gurira are seen as Tarek and Zainab, respectively.
Thomas McCarthy is to be congratulated for one of the most remarkable films so far this year.