I thought it was a good movie, but not great. It's a character driven drama without interesting characterization. Just think about the three Muslims, Tarek, Zainab, Mouna. Each of them basically fits into the good victim mold. I'm not saying Muslims can't be good people, and I'm not saying Muslims haven't been victimized by America's current political policies, but I bet real life Muslims are a whole lot more interesting than these three one-dimensional characters. I guess you could say Zainab comes off a bit sour in the beginning, but she only acts that way because she's such a victimized-soul/likely-rape-victim, right? Tom McCarthy's good intentions diminish the depth of his characterizations.
Also, the movie felt scattered. Was it about romantic love between Walter and Mouna? Or Tarek's and Walter's friendship breaking down cultural barriers? Or Walter's self actualization? It's like McCarthy kept shifting the movie's themes out of focus. All in all, the film reminds me a little of Lost in Translation, except that movie kept it's eye on the prize: middle-age, isolation and loneliness momentarily lapsed by youth, friendship and love. You see the difference? A relationship between two characters instead of two different sets of relationships involving three different people. And none of that self-actualization stuff, which comes off in The Visitor as unconvincing. Instead, in Lost in Translation, we're treated to a more likely story: Bob (Bill Murray) is old dog that can't learn new tricks (in other words: NO self actualization), but he can lend some of his wisdom to Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) in return for the ephemeral touch of her beauty and youth.
The Visitor's rating: 8
Lost in Translation's rating: 10
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