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      The Visitor

      PG-13 Released Apr 11, 2008 1 hr. 43 min. Drama List
      90% 124 Reviews Tomatometer 84% 100,000+ Ratings Audience Score When professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) travels to New York for a lecture, he's stunned to find illegal immigrants Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira) living in his apartment. It comes out that it was rented to them by a swindler, and Vale feels sufficiently sorry for them that he invites them to stay. They get on well until Tarek is accused of jumping a subway turnstile and lands in a detention center. He risks being deported, and Vale does everything he can to prevent it. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Aug 02 Buy Now

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      The Visitor

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      Critics Consensus

      The Visitor is a heartfelt, humanistic drama that deftly explores identity, immigration, and other major post-9/11 issues.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Either you belong or you don't, you can't lock people up like children or animals, we can lose passion for something we do for a living pretending we are busy This is a very heavy social drama for sure Not much is covered about thought provoking discussions, it's patchy at best Richard Jenkins gives a very committed performance This is also a humane response to the government's war on the Middle East and the attack on immigrants Most of us are lonely and confused searching for meaning and connection in a world that's become confusing as well as chaotic Tom McCarthy covers much of the human condition here Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/12/24 Full Review Audience Member Wish I would have seen this when it came out. The Visitor's more political themes definitely would have packed a bigger punch closer to its release, but even over a decade later, its message is still clear and very worthwhile for 2022. Beyond the themes surrounding immigration, Richard Jenkins gives a great and subtle performance as an older man stuck in a rut who finds newfound purpose and friendship with a young immigrant couple who he finds living in his NYC apartment he rarely finds himself in. It's a slow moving film, but never feels like it should be doing more than it is. The way the characters gradually warm to each other feels very natural and is quite heartfelt. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review dave s It's probably fair to say that The Visitor lacks subtlety when conveying its message, but at least it's passionate about its subject matter. After an extended absence, widowed professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) returns to his New York City apartment to find it inhabited by two illegal immigrants. Lonely since the death of his wife and compassionate by nature, he invites them to stay with him until they make other arrangements. Instead of excessive dialogue, it's a movie that relies on images and lingering facial expressions to push its message about the immigrant experience in America after the horrors of 9/11. Jenkins, as usual, is wonderful in the lead role and the rest of the cast does a great job in their supporting roles. Director Tom McCarthy proves that his first directorial effort, The Station Agent, another film about social outcasts and the dispossessed, was no fluke. The Visitor is a more than worthy sophomore effort. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review steve d Heartfelt and important (especially in 2020) The performances are also extremely strong. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review zed b Thought provoking film about the plight of the unwanted migrant in the modern world. Richard Jenkins play's the disillusioned academic who's life in given new purpose by the chance meeting with this unknow world. Well worth the effort! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review william k Subdued, nicely staged and excellently performed small drama centered on immigration and personal responsibility. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Visitor

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (124) Critics Reviews
      Melissa Anderson Time Out Rated: 2/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness A character study drowning in liberal guilt. Rated: C+ Nov 23, 2008 Full Review Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald A beautiful, quiet, measured movie about the death of some American values since September 11, 2001. Rated: 4/4 Aug 29, 2008 Full Review James Croot Stuff.co.nz While newcomers like Sleiman and Gurira are impressive, it's the veterans Abbass (Paradise Now) and Jenkins (TV's Six Feet Under) who deserve the plaudits. Rated: 4/5 Apr 6, 2021 Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site The Visitor ... is a generous, humane response to the US government's war on the Middle East and on immigrants in America. Feb 13, 2021 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Richard Jenkins' acting is phenomenal, even though his role demands that he remove a wide array of emotions from his weathered face. Rated: 7/10 Nov 28, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis When professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) travels to New York for a lecture, he's stunned to find illegal immigrants Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira) living in his apartment. It comes out that it was rented to them by a swindler, and Vale feels sufficiently sorry for them that he invites them to stay. They get on well until Tarek is accused of jumping a subway turnstile and lands in a detention center. He risks being deported, and Vale does everything he can to prevent it.
      Director
      Tom McCarthy
      Executive Producer
      Jeff Skoll, Ricky Strauss, Chris Salvaterra
      Screenwriter
      Tom McCarthy
      Distributor
      Overture Films
      Production Co
      Participant Prods.
      Rating
      PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Apr 11, 2008, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jan 7, 2017
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $9.4M
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