THE VISITOR , A Film

The Visitor is a wonderful film, though many Americans may be put off by the leisurely fashion of the film. Increasingly, I am convinced that films that develop the main character, are able to realistically explain his change, are the essentials of a good film. Like the The Band Visits, not much happens in this film; it has various themes, the growth of the main character, a introverted professor(who has never gotten over the death of his wife), the difficulties of illegal immigrants in this country(in this case a Syrian and Senegalese), a group that elicits little sympathy from most people, and the law, which in the abstract makes sense but when applied to the individual, it's often lacking in common sense and humanity. In this case, the professor finds this couple living in his New York apartment, apparently they had rented it from a friend, but were ripped off. At first upset, the professor, however, uncharacteristcally, offers to let the couple stay for a couple of days. The days turn into a week, as the Syrian's drumming(He's part of a Jazz Group), interests the professor(Walter), then it becomes his passion, a symbol no doubt of letting go the past, of giving oneself up to the flow, spontaneity, not caring what others say. The Syrian,unluckily, is stopped by the police, who find out his status, put him in jail, and ultimately deport him. Before his unexpected deportation, Walter gets him a lawyer, visits him in jail, offers him hope, and, when the Syrian's mother arrives to find out what happened to her son, he allows her to stay in his apartment, and slowly, the two find each other, have a brief relationship, which ends when she decides she must go back to Syria to be with her son. Nothing is answered...what happens to the son,his wife, the mother, Walter. It's left up to us decide. But we do know that Walter has changed, that he has rediscovered his humanity, and he most likely will not return to his teaching, a kind of death in life for him. Wonderful performances by all four characters, so very different yet compelling and charming. Only Walter seems to change; everyone else seems more centered, and the young Syrian drummer, is really charming and pulls Walter out of his depression and funk, with his drumming and easy acceptance of Walter as a friend. This is the kind of movie I love, about a serious theme, whether individual or general, great character development, and wonderful, apt acting and peformances.