2009 March 1
Title: The Visitor
Starring: Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danain Gurra, Hiam Abbas
Directed by: Thomas McCarthy
Written by: Thomas McCarthy.
This movie caught my attention when the lead character says "I am not busy. I just pretend to be busy". Among things this line what makes the Visitor touch our souls in a very effective manner. I can easily identify with it. I empathise with the character who says that. That should explain why I liked this movie.
The story is of a middle aged College Professor who is a very bored, inexpressive and dour fellow. He is also untalented but drives himself to learn piano unsuccessfully which only adds to his frustration and need for isolating himself. In such a pathetic existence an unexpected even happens which is something he had contemplated in his wildest dreams. Obviously he is incapable of handling it. He has a visitor who is an illegal alien. So what starts of as a cold happenstance between 2 of the most dissimilar characters starts to warm up and in spite of his inability the Richard Jenkins character does things which needs him to reach into the depths of his soul to bring out his passion.
Richard Jenkins gives a good performance. The challenge for him is that his character does not express any feelings. As Terry Gross of Fresh Air put it he has act like the guy who is expressionless and still bring out what is happening inside of him. This is a very nuanced performance as compared to performing a characters which has very distinct and easily identifiable character traits. No wonder Jenkins was nominated for the best. Unfortunately he did not win. Sean Penn's performance in Milk was too good to be surpassed.
A nice movie with good performance by Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danain Gurra and Isreali-Arab actress Hiam Abbas. The director makes sure that the story is well paced. The only surprise was the appearance of the Syrian woman (a Muslim) in a somewhat western outfit. It is not inconceivable but definitely unexpected.
This movie gets a 7.2 on 10.
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