The Visitor

If you play drums, or any other percussion instrument, you should see this movie. If you were born in a country other than the United States you should see this movie. If you were born here and you don't see this movie, you have NO clue as to whats going on in the immigration debate. Regardless of your perspective, I recommend this movie to everyone.

There is something here for everyone. Good writing, good acting, good music, and a very real New York City. If you are able to sit still during this movie I suggest you have someone check for a pulse.

Richard Jenkins well-deserved his Oscar nomination for his work here. As I've said many times, sometimes good acting is more than delivering a good line. Jenkins, like Redford, Ford, and many other great actors who don't talk as a big part of their acting mojo. The rest of the cast is wonderful too.

Some sites have this movie listed as a crime drama. Really? To me this is much more of a romance, and a comedic one at that. I'm not saying its a romantic comedy. But it certainly has some good honest laughs. It may also make you cry however. Anyone who is a parent will be touched by this story. And if your kids are older, you may totally relate to the Mom is this story played perfectly by Hiam Abbass.

Watch this movie with a kind thought for the nearly invisible folks who mow, wash, fold, trim, cook, clean, scrape, gather, pick, package, deliver, serve, buy, sell, or otherwise deal with the stuff we need every day. I can't imagine it's worth the trouble, but they all say it is.