The ImmigrantEven though the script isn't as convoluted as the writers think, they wisely installed plenty of extra room for other sub-plots to factor in, which was smart of them to play safe, and that can be the accurate description of the feature in a word; safe. It is rich on technical aspects like cinematography, costume design, make-up design, art design and editing. The script focuses more on its three dimensional pragmatic characters that are unpredictable, dark and brutally honest that helps the feature to draw out the attention of the viewers. James Gray; the writer-director, has done a tremendous work on executing this character driven feature and pushes its boundary on the script by visiting unexpected places that helps on keeping the audience on the edge of the seat. It is no short on performance for obvious reasons, like Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner as a supporting actor. The chemistry among the actors doesn't communicate to the viewers despite of offering a wider range for them to factor in, which is the only downer in here as the emotions comes out a bit shallow. The Immigrant migrates involuntarily and suffers for art where its gripping screenplay is what keeps the feature alive despite of having stellar performance.

Don't boil the movie down to one person/performance. Although if you do, you should be able to acknowledge the weight they are pulling here. The pacing might not be your thing, but the way the characters are portrayed is really great. There is a lot of gray areas to be dealt with here. Talk about more than 3 shades of it then ... Which not every movie can claim by the way! Just saying.You have to really dig the pace or you won't like the movie. It's a really hard story to follow, not because it's too fast, but because it's slow and might feel unnerving for some. But real life would be even more dragging than that. I like how the movie works and how they played certain things out. Sacrifices have to be made, to reach ones goal ... but what is the price to pay?

This is a great period piece! Really enjoyed the editing and the way it was shot. Joaquin Phoenix did a really good job as playing the pimp or slum lord of the film. The young actress who played the immigrant did a great job trying to make her way through the harsh world of early 20th century New York City. She winds up finding no family, her sister winds up on Ellis Island(in basically a jail), and she's got no money. I felt bad for her when her only Uncle called her dirty names and sided with cops and land lord. She accidentally finds Joaquin's brother while doing work on Ellis Island. While the film is slow, its good at the end. Good for a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Like, 3 stars max. I found it boring, way over-dramatic, and extremely obvious. There's no character development or any reason at all that either of those dudes would be soooo in love with her. Her character could have been 10 million times more interesting. It was like she was doing a great impression of a Polish immigrant who had a lobotomy. "I make money" "I need my money" "My sister is here" "Where is my sister" .....over and over again for 2 hours. Actors are way too good to be in something with a script that poor. No edge, no script, no reason to watch this movie. BOO. I couldn't even figure out if she was smart or dumb the entire time - what a terrible female figure - she doesn't fight against them, just kind of whimpers and goes along and spits out her "money" or "sister" line repeatedly. ugh.