The Visitor

Name: The Visitor
Genre: Drama, Romance, Crime, Music
Released: April 11, 2008
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Danai Gurira, Haaz Sleiman, Richard Jenkins

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 86 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 86 Ratings

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The Visitor

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Movie Details & Credits

Anchor Bay Entertainment | Release Date: April 11, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Danai Gurira, Haaz Sleiman, Richard Jenkins

Summary: In a world of 6 billion people, it takes only one to change your life. In actor and filmmaker Tom McCarthy's follow-up to his award-winning directorial debut "The Station Agent," we get to know Walter Vale, a disillusioned Connecticut economics professor whose life is transformed by a chance encounter in New York City. Through newfoundIn a world of 6 billion people, it takes only one to change your life. In actor and filmmaker Tom McCarthy's follow-up to his award-winning directorial debut "The Station Agent," we get to know Walter Vale, a disillusioned Connecticut economics professor whose life is transformed by a chance encounter in New York City. Through newfound connections with virtual strangers, Walter is awakened to a new world and a new life. (Overture Films)… Expand

Director: Thomas McCarthy

Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Crime, Music

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Ruthe Stein

The Visitor, is, if anything, more imaginative and touching than his first. Read full review

A.O. Scott

The curious thing about The Visitor is that even as it goes more or less where you think it will, it still manages to surprise you along the way. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

McCarthy's flawless casting may be the film's greatest strength: Veteran character actor Jenkins and his costars vanish into their characters -- their performances are so subtle and unforced that they don't feel like performances at all. Read full review

J.R. Jones

Powerful second film by writer-director Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent). Read full review

Kirk Honeycutt

A compelling and illuminating story of four people who form an unlikely and momentary friendship of considerable depth. Read full review

Shawn Levy

The combined effect is, as I say, small but sincere. McCarthy may prove to have something bigger in him, or he may be a miniaturist content to build little stories and fill them with all the humanity they can bear. If that's the case, there are far less worthy ways to spend a career. Read full review

Scott Foundas

McCarthy unquestionably means well, but he's made one of those incredibly naïve movies that gives liberals a bad name, and which does more to regress the sociopolitical discourse than advance it. Read full review

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User Reviews

UzK

Feb 14, 2009

Very touching. Loved the emotions exemplified in this film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DavidF.

May 31, 2008

This is a perfect film. Loved every minute of it. Beautifully acted and directed. Go see this wonderful movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

kate_media

Aug 12, 2010

Easily one of my favorite films in recent years. I have recommended this film countless times and it was equally as good on the second viewing. The blossoming of the professor character, given a new set of influences in his life, was realistic and a captivating story. If only all filmsEasily one of my favorite films in recent years. I have recommended this film countless times and it was equally as good on the second viewing. The blossoming of the professor character, given a new set of influences in his life, was realistic and a captivating story. If only all films had such a brilliant personal portrait as the main theme. Issues of the tragic impacts of illegal immigration are played out effectively, but to me was a side story to that of our professor finding himself.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RalphC.

May 26, 2008

Ot the two plots, the reinvigoration of Walter, the tired American, gets a 10. The tragedy of Tarek, the vigorous illegal, being deported, gets a 6. He came here without permission, then cries "I did nothing wrong." That's pretty flawed.

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Compi24

Nov 28, 2012

An excellently structured, skillfully acted drama that effectively weaves sincere, relevant, and affecting thematic elements throughout its very unique story.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ERG1008

Aug 23, 2010

Ageing widowed professor, goes to New York conference, immigrants living in his flat, makes friends, learns how to drum, male immigrant gets caught, mother turns up.
Slow-paced but enjoyable film which I did think in parts was like Lost in Translation where not much happens but theAgeing widowed professor, goes to New York conference, immigrants living in his flat, makes friends, learns how to drum, male immigrant gets caught, mother turns up.
Slow-paced but enjoyable film which I did think in parts was like Lost in Translation where not much happens but the characters build up.
Well acted, nice music & a film with it's heart is in the right place.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CharlotteB.

Oct 31, 2008

What a disgusting naive liberal white guilt film. White culture is uninspiring to Walter. Only Muslim culture has value. There is anti-Semitism in this film that is condoned, when his Jewish named neighbor is portrayed as gay and silly, talking about his dog sprinkles & his mother in What a disgusting naive liberal white guilt film. White culture is uninspiring to Walter. Only Muslim culture has value. There is anti-Semitism in this film that is condoned, when his Jewish named neighbor is portrayed as gay and silly, talking about his dog sprinkles & his mother in Florida. This movie is the height of "guilty white liberalism" when Walter is only respectful of the Muslim characters & satires the non-Muslims. I was deeply disappointed and do not to be brainwashed that third world Syrian & Senegal culture has more dignity than Euro-American.… Expand

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