I've got to stop watching so many downer movies. It's getting to me. Plus, it's difficult to be witty, hilarious, and charming when you're reviewing something that deserves some serious discussion and a solemn tone. Boo. "The Visitor" takes a look at immigration in the US from the perspective of a young couple from Syria and Senegal respectively. Yup, bummer. I told ya.
In all seriousness, it's fascinating and very important work that filmmakers like Thomas McCarthy (you might better know him as an actor from the series "The Wire") are shedding light on. What is the American experience like for those people who aren't legally American? Most importantly, these films humanize a very political and hotly contested issue. If we expect to ever come to a consensus it's vitally necessary to look beyond the numbers and instead through the eyes of others in order to gain some clarity. Recently, audiences have had the opportunity to dive deeper into the experiences of many from Mexico in a mainstream jewel like "Spanglish" and a critical darling like "Under the Same Moon". It's refreshing though to take a peek at life for those from across the oceans and "The Visitor" does just that.
The film's pacing is a little slow and it's dreary on many levels sometimes to its detriment but beyond its sadness and frustration there is hope. What begins as an interest in music evolves into a quest and a mission culminating in a man's life suddenly being given meaning at a time and place where it seemed impossible.
At the very least "The Visitor" can help provide a jumping off point to discuss and understand further the challenges we face as a growing nation. Dialogue can only help us in the years ahead and we should support filmmakers who are giving voice to those without one.
Rent 'Em:
http://www.thevisitorfilm.com/
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/spanglish/
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/underthesamemoon/
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