The Visit

R

2000

1 hr. 47 min.

Drama

List

72%

32 Reviews

Tomatometer

45%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Alex Waters (Hill Harper) has been convicted of rape and sentenced to 25 years in prison, although he maintains he is innocent. Alex is up for parole, dying of AIDS and seeking redemption. As a psychiatrist (Phylicia Rashad) helps him reconcile with his past, he receives visits from the important figures in his life: his older brother (Obba Babatunde), his authoritarian father (Billy Dee Williams) and his loving mother (Marla Gibbs). As he works past his anger, Alex evolves into a new man.

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Critics Consensus

An earnest drama, The Visit gains much emotional power through its fine performances.

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Audience Member

Intense AA movie about the relationship between a father & son right before the sons death from aids while incarcerated.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

The cast and performances were superb. I liked the concept, but I just didn't find myself enthralled by the film.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

In its own hokey way, The Visit is a testament to the tenacity of the family, particularly the African American family.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

This is some of the most real, family drama/reconciliation acting I've ever seen. I could see my family and many others I know in it. And the cinematography/shot editing is very good; a good departure from standard Hollywood that uses color, sights, sounds, and music as much as dialogue to link and tell a narrative and get you emotionally involved, put you in the scenes. Very well shot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Jordan Walker-Pearlman

Director

Hill Harper

Alex

Obba Babatundé

Tony

Rae Dawn Chong

Felicia

Billy Dee Williams

Henry

Marla Gibbs

Lois Waters

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Elizabeth Weitzman

Film.com

It couldn't possibly work without a transcendent central performance. Harper gives us that, and more.

Apr 26, 2001

Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

It's hard not to give it bonus points for avoiding prison movie clichs and for taking a long, unblinking look at the complex dynamics of one American family.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 20, 2001

Full Review

Teresa Wiltz

Washington Post

A testament to the tenacity of the family, particularly the African American family.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 20, 2001

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

More important than the technical precision of the actors' turns is the rapport they all share--which ultimately lends this story of a family its authentic, immediate poignancy.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 14, 2007

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 9, 2006

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 10, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Alex Waters (Hill Harper) has been convicted of rape and sentenced to 25 years in prison, although he maintains he is innocent. Alex is up for parole, dying of AIDS and seeking redemption. As a psychiatrist (Phylicia Rashad) helps him reconcile with his past, he receives visits from the important figures in his life: his older brother (Obba Babatunde), his authoritarian father (Billy Dee Williams) and his loving mother (Marla Gibbs). As he works past his anger, Alex evolves into a new man.

Director: Jordan Walker-Pearlman
Executive Producer: Suzanne Columbia, Anastasia King, Vicky Pike, Morris Ruskin, Kosmond Russell
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Box Office (Gross USA): $186.4K
Sound Mix: Surround