‘The Visitor’ | 3 ½ stars
< Previous page
McCarthy, whose debut feature “The Station Agent” was one of the best films of 2003, gives us a story that works along predictable lines. Yet he somehow manages to surprise us time and time again. The film never breaks a sweat, yet it digs deeper into the psyches of its characters — and of those of us watching — than any recent film you could name.
By the time this movie reaches its bittersweet conclusion we’re so wrapped up in the lives on the screen that we forget they are fictional characters. It has been a long time since a “little” movie came out of nowhere to so effectively freshen our jaded cinematic sensibilities (in that regard “The Visitor” compares favorably with 2000’s “You Can Count on Me”).
Did I say “little”? Not in the things that matter.
‘THE VISITOR’ ★★★ 1/2
Director: Thomas McCarthy
Cast: Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass
Rated: PG-13 for brief strong language
Running time: 1:46
< Previous page
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.