The Visitor (2007)

This film is the perfect example of why I sit through the long list of Oscar Nominees. More than a few are quite difficult to sit through, but there are a few gems that you never would have thought to watch if not for their nomination.

There are some actors out there than you have seen over-and-over again and only consider them as a supporting actor. When they get their chance at a starting role it is always questionable how they will handle it. Personally Philip Seymour Hoffman is my perfect example of a supporting actor turned lead role. He was in more than 10 quality films before I knew who he was, and when he got his chance at a starting role is hit a homerun (e.g. Capote).

Richard Jenkins is that example here. A TV star for over 20 years and getting into movies with small roles in the 90's: There's Something About Mary, Me, Myself & Irene, Changing Lanes, Intolerable Cruelty, and many others. Most recently was his hit performance in Burn After Reading but this truly is his first starring role.

Jenkins plays a college professor in Connecticut who clearly has lost interest in his work. There is a scene where he is whiting out the "7" from 2007 to change it to 2008 so that he can recycle his tests... something I frequently saw happening with my college professors. He is basically forced to go to a conference in New York City by what I can only assume was the head of his department (it could have been a dean). He has an apartment in New York that he had been living in with his wife who has passed. When he arrives he discovers that a couple has been staying there while he was gone.

The change in character and relationships that are built from this point where very enjoyable to watch. The story that unfolds is something I will save for those that want to watch the film. Some might accuse it of being slow, instead I found it to have strong acting performances.

Vote: 8/10

IMDB Rating: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0857191/

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