The Visitor

One of the major issues leftover from W.’s administration was immigration. ‘The Visitor’ addresses the thorny subject by presenting a story of four people affected by it. As with most issues on this country’s agenda, it’s not quite so cut and dried as people make it out to be. One might assume you are either for or against. ‘The Visitor’ tears that apart and forces the viewer to re-examine the complexities involved. And I’m not sure that by the last act we can be certain who the ‘Visitor’ truly is.

Aside from some sober realities, ‘The Visitor’ is full of magic on many levels. Richard Jenkins plays ‘Walter’, an academic who appears to be not merely burned out, but a scorched shell of an individual that has been sleepwalking through life. His world changes as many do when a chance occurrence presents him with a decision requiring a spark of humanity.

On the opposite end of the spectrum (and a welcome balance) are Dania Gurira (Zainab) and Tarek (Haaz Sleiman). They are a young couple who live life to it’s absolute fullest , while traveling on a near empty tank of gas. They embody every bit of spirit, hope and determination of those who came before them in the massive wave of immigration from the early days of the last century.

An excellent performance from Hiam Abbass (Mouna) lifts the film to new heights. Her addition to the cast was that good. The savvy filmgoer might be tempted to believe they have gotten the best of the plot guessing game with her arrival. Perhaps. But by this time in the story, anxiety begins to creep in and soon the viewer will be gripped by the decisions leading to the finale.

My paternal Grandparents were among those afforded the opportunity for a new life in America. I couldn’t help but think of them while watching ‘The Visitor’s’ story unfold. In the high stakes world of public opinion with political futures at stake, something gets lost. It is drowned out amidst the analysts’ incessant babble. It is an individual’s chance to build upon their dreams in a country that depends upon them to survive that is disappearing.