Bored professor meets lively illegal immigrants

With a population near 20 million, New York City is a breeding ground for chance encounters. In his second directorial effort since 2003’s well-received “Station Agent,” Tom McCarthy, who also wrote the script, has created a heartfelt story around an accidental meeting between a 62-year-old economics professor and an immigrant couple.

“The Visitor” stars Richard Jenkins as Walter Vale, a burnt out, widower professor who has all but lost his zest for life. Jenkins, who has traditionally been known as an A-list supporting actor (“Me, Myself, and Irene,” “I Heart Huckabees” and the HBO hit show “Six Feet Under”), stars in his first lead role and will surely receive accolades for his performance.

The catalyst for Walter’s character development comes in the form of Tarek (Sleiman) and Zainab (Gurira), an immigrant couple who have been duped into staying at Walter’s rarely inhabited apartment. Having nowhere to go, Walter unexpectedly allows the two to stay at his place. In exchange, Tarek teaches his host to play the drum, which provides Walter with a new source of inspiration.

The film could be construed as an attack on post-9/11 immigration policy, but McCarthy focuses more on the relationship between the characters after Tarek is arrested and held in a facility for illegal immigrants. It is only after his new friend is imprisoned that Walter shows the first signs of emotion, which leads to a newfound love upon the arrival of Tarek’s mother Mouna (Hiam Abbass).

To his directorial credit, McCarthy’s film is the epitome of realism: the characters are genuine, the situations are conceivable and the outcome does not feel the least bit contrived. Walter’s emotive breakdown at story’s culmination alludes to the powerlessness of humanity while signifying that through his loss, he is once again able to feel.

Thematically, McCarthy has much to say about the relationship between strangers, the detrimental impact of U.S. immigration laws and the power of love. The pace of the film is slow at times, but any alteration would only cheapen its message. While it may take some time for this message to sink in, this is a movie that speaks to anyone willing to listen.