The Visitor

‘Visitor’ nice break from car chases, sex comedies

Overture Films 

RICHARD JENKINS and Haaz Sleiman in "The Visitor."

You may have heard about the film “The Visitor” because Richard Jenkins was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his role as a depressed college professor.

It was a rare instance where you could watch an Oscar-nominated film being streamed to your computer via Netflix before the awards were held.

Jenkins didn't win but it was nevertheless an outstanding performance in a beautiful, thought-provoking film that deals with the complicated world of illegal aliens.

Jenkins plays Walter Vale, whose piano virtuoso wife has died. He tries to learn to play but just doesn't have the talent. In fact, one of his piano teachers tells him nicely that it doesn't always work out for untalented people and if he decides to give up, she'd like to buy his piano.

You can tell immediately what you need to know about Walter from Jenkins’ acting ability and the talent of director Thomas McCarthy.

Walter is a professor at a Connecticut college who has no love for the job. He's been teaching exactly the same way for 20 years. He is set in his ways. He is supposedly working on an “important” book so has a reduced teaching load.

We know instantly the book isn't important and he's not really working on it, but resists a request to take over some classes of a fellow teacher.

He has a Manhattan flat he hasn't visited in two months. When he does, he discovers a woman taking a bath there!

He remains unruffled and even apologetic that he has disturbed the woman, played by Danai Jekesai Gurira. Her character's husband, Tarek, (Haaz Sleiman) and herself had been duped into subleasing the apartment by a crook. Tarek is at first angry but when he learns they are in the wrong, agrees to quickly leave. But Walter takes pity and allows them to stay. Walter is very much the meek, mild, no-humor scholarly type, but takes an interest in Tarek's drum playing. He becomes fascinated by musicians who line up outside to play each day.

Ever so slowly, he loosens up. He and Tarek become unusual friends, although wife seems creeped-out by the middle-aged prof. 

When a misunderstanding results in Tarek being arrested, there is no easy solution. The couple are illegals and he is held in a detention center. There we learn people are abruptly moved from one place to another. Walter hires an attorney. Tarek's mother, wonderfully played by Hiam Abbass, comes from Michigan to stand vigil.

Walter comes to grips with his life. He learns what is truly important. He learns life is more than what he has done for the past 20 years. And Tarek's mother and wife learn about humanity and unselfishness from Walter. 

There are many outstanding performances in this warm, fluid drama.

It could well be a different type of film to watch with older children, too. Suitable for discussion afterward.

If you are ready for a break from car crashes and serial killers and grossout comedy, even for a bit, give "The Visitor" a try. It's worth the visit.

THE VISITOR

• Written and directed by Thomas McCarthy

• Rated PG-13 for strong language

• Runtime: 104 minutes

• 4.5 stars of out 5