The Visitor was another low-budget, independent type film that was released in early 2008, directed by Thomas McCarthy, and starred Richard Jenkins, an exceptional actor in all of his roles, and actually received an Oscar nomination for his role in this film, this year.
The Visitor told a simple yet complex story centering around a middle-aged (60-year old) professor, who lives in Connecticut where he teaches, but he has held an apartment in New York, for 25 years, and when he is forced to come back to New York for a conference, he finds that a foreign couple is living in his apartment, which they were told was for rent.
From here, the story revolves around the interaction of the characters, and tells a realistic story, a story that seemed like it could truly happen everyday. Now, some people do not like realistic films, but I credit a director who can capture and portray reality as close as it can be. This movie does this incredibly well, and throughout the film, I never once felt like I was watching actors, I was watching real people. This story engrossed me and I believe Mr. Bennett has said that it is the credit to great actors when they seem like the people, not like they are playing a role. And in this film, it could not be more true.
This film is certainly not for everyone, especially people who like action films or romantic comedies but it was an extraordinary film on many levels. Some parts were clearly low-budget and it showed, but that should detract nothing from the film and it didn't. Believe me, it is not the perfect film, but it is one I would recommend very highly. I would suggest it more than all of my previously reviewed movies except maybe Schindler's List and In Bruges, but it's very close.
The acting is terrific and the story is beautiful and moving. If you get the chance, see it!
What are some themes that are brought up in The Visitors? Now, I've never seen the film, but I can only infer that it is about different people dealing with a strange and awkward situation and realizing that, even though they've come from different backgrounds they are all human and can get through with each others help. Am I warm?
ReplyDeleteYes, you are warm, Julia, and a very good inference from not having seen the film. I will not give away the exact themes but it is not very difficult to see, especially if you see a preview for it. I will make the suggestion that with film, that you do not research it much before viewing it because you will have some of the plot ruined.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, it is not a brilliant perfect movie, frankly, it is rather simple, but I still loved it. It could just be me.
There's a lot of talent in these independent films. For me, it's always a joy when not a single character in a film either gets killed, owns a gun, interacts with the police, steals something, threatens to blow up an atomic bomb, drives helter skelter through main street at 92mph hotly pursued by the constabulary.
ReplyDeleteI thought I left a comment here back when you first posted this, but I guess it didn't get through. I wanted to know where you saw this film? If you own the DVD, do you think I could borrow it? I wanted to see this back wen Jenkins got nominated but never got around to it.
ReplyDeleteI actually DVR'ed it Nick but I do believe it is available on DVD but I'm not sure. It was on STARZ and I just decided to DVR many movies while I had the free preview, so I did.
ReplyDeleteAs to Mr. Bennett, I understand that you like those types of independent films but sadly one of the characteristics that you were hoping was not in it, is in the movie, but it is done very well and it a better, more mature way than most other films. Can you figure out which one it is?