This is a movie that I may have missed had Richard Jenkins not received a Best Actor Oscar nomination. One is use to seeing Jenkins as a character actor (as in Burn After Reading, for example) but in this movie, director Tom McCarthy gives him the leading role. Here, we see him as Professor Walter Valer, a man who is visibly depressed, apathetic, and curt with others. His wife has recently died and he lives alone. He wants to learn to play the piano but seems to have no aptitude for music. When he is asked to present a paper at a conference in NYC, he begs off, claiming that he has to stay in Connecticut to teach his class and work on his book. But, his excuses don't work and he reluctantly goes to the conference.When he enters his own New York City apartment, he finds two foreigners living there: Tarek (Haaz Sleiman), an Arab from Syria, and his girlfriend, Zainab (Danai Jekesai Gurira),a black African from Senegal. (They had been tricked into renting the apartment by one of Tarek's friends who, obviously, had no right to rent it.) Walter tells them that they can stay the night there even though they are all a bit distrustful of each other. The relationship between Tarek and Walter slowly thaws due to Tarek's warm personality and Walter's interest in watching Tarek play the African drum. Walter's interest in the drum increases when he is invited to see Tarek play at a local jazz club and even join he and his friends as they play their drums in the park. (Though we barely see depression lifting from Walter's face, it is evident that he has found something uplifting with his 'visitor's presence and something important in playing the drum.) One day as Walter and Tarek are boarding the subway with their drums, Tarek is suddenly arrested and imprisoned for no apparent reason. Walter is helpless in trying to help Tarek, but soon learns that both of his 'visitors' are in the country illegally. After Tarek is imprisoned, Zainab leaves the apartment to live with a girlfriend. Walter calls Tarek's mother, Mouna (Hiam Abbass), in Detroit. When she arrives, Walter invites her to stay until she can find a hotel. They soon develop a warm relationship as they attempt to help Tarek with his problems. But, the help is to no avail as Tarek is deported and Mouna must return to mascus. This is a good story and Richard Jenkins's acting is impressive as a man who overcomes his isolation from life with the help of 'the visitor' that briefly enter his life, needs his help, and leaves him with the rhythmic gift of the drum.

what can I say very good story this film is a great because it shows humanity to other from what ever background set in the back ground of new York cant they not use another city instead to give it more realistic maybe the all directors see is the American dream through new York but the like the character of Richard Jenkins shows a warmth to two immigrants who are in in his apartment he could have given them to the police but lets them help him fall in love with there type of music and culture he fights for what he believes they want in their life just an ordinary guy he feels their love of music that turns his life around in so many way magic

Walter, an old professor,  goes to NY where he used to live for attending the presentation. However, a couple lives in his apartment. The Visitor is a human drama that is slow-pacing but gradually delivers emotion.My mother recommended this to me and I  egan to watch but at first, I don't feel sympathy for Walter because he looks solemn and spiritless.  However, as this movie goes, he becomes attractive.  Tarek, one half of the couple plays an African dram and Walter starts playing it. I'm very impressive with this.  Through meeting him, Walter finds a hobby and changes.I've learned three things from The Visitor.  First one is that running across someone changes our life. In this movie, it's Walter and the couple.Second is about issues of immigrants.  Because of trifling thing, Tarek gets arrested and forced to exile. I think after 9.11, U.S. government becomes restrict for immigrants. I'm sad about this problem.  I hope there will be a country every ethnic lives free.Last is Richard Jenkins. This is the biggest fruition. Honestly speaking, I don't like him so much before watching this. Perhaps its because of the characters that he've played. I didn't feel any sympathy or attraction with him at that time. However, this time, I became a big fan of him! He seems ordinary but actually, he isn't. Now, I find it his special ability.In spite of these good points, there're some disappointing things. The relationship between Walter and Tarek's mother is unnecessary. And, it's a little bit slow-pacing. If I were sleepy, I would sleep during watching this.But as a human drama, it's well-made and   enough to be satisfied.  Especially, I do like the scene that Walter plays the dram. Though it's amusing somewhat, it also brings his passion to audience. The last scene is really moving.

The Visitor is a soft low key movie. Contrary to what one might expect after viewing the preview, it is much less confrontational and much more congenial. It is not contrived or forced. The tale really tells itself, flowing naturally from its source.Nice scenario, good ideas, and good acting, with a story, emotions, and dialogs that are very realistic. The unconventional characters were a pleasure to discover, and the end is based on reality not on wishes.I'm not rating it stronger, because it lacks a little bit of strength. It had a positive message, but nothing mind blowing.A very nice movie to discover if you're not looking for action.