‘The Visitor’ Works Out America’s Demons Following Sept. 11, 2001

CHICAGO – “The Visitor” is a subtle film. Created by the unique talent of writer and director Thomas McCarthy – who also generated the equally subtle world of “The Station Agent” – this new work explores the nature of who belongs where.

It’s outside the artificial borders of countries and city states and more toward the intuitive virtues of the emotional state that bonds us to each other. Richard Jenkins – best known as the recurring dead father on “Six Feet Under” – plays the role of a lifetime as Walter Vale: a burnt-out professor of economics at a Connecticut university.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Visitor” in our reviews section. View our full, high-resolution “The Visitor” image gallery.

His wife – a reputable concert pianist – has recently died. The emptiness of the new circumstance is etched upon his soul. Forced to attend a conference in New York City, Walter opens up an apartment he owns there only to find squatters living inside.

Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) is an illegal immigrant from Syria and his girlfriend, Esi (Danai Jekesai Gurira), is an African with similar status. They have “rented” the apartment from someone who conned them into the place.

Walter lets them stay until they can find new lodgings. He discovers that Tarek is a jazz drummer (of the single African drum variety) and is curious to learn new drumming techniques. When Walter begins to absorb the rhythm lessons from Tarek, a bond develops.

Danai Jekesai Gurira in “The Visitor”. Photo credit: Overture Films

Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor”. Photo credit: Overture Films

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “The Visitor” review.

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