The Visitor

In today's global state, the issue of migration has become a heated debate. Thanks in part to it's promise of the 'American Dream', the United States has become the primary settling zone for illegal immigration. To some, immigration is a major issue along the home front. To others, the basic rights of individual freedoms that the country was founded on supersede other issues. Either way, it's become a political debate that figures only escalate as world populace grows.
The Visitor is about a passive University prof who undergoes a journey of self-discovery when he comes across an illegal pair of immigrants living in his New York apartment. Richard Jenkins stars as the lead and was nominated for a Best Actor award at the Oscars last year. Rightfully so. Jenkins, perhaps best known for getting his head beat in with a tire iron in Burn After Reading, portrays his characters numerous insecurities with relative ease and subtlety. Haaz Sliemen, Dani Jekesai Guirira, and Hiam Abbass excel in supporting roles. Slieman and Guirira play the couple squatting in Jenkins' apartment. Slieman is a happy and accepting human being, so his character progression is that much more painful as the story goes on. Abbass plays his mother, and she too is excellent. This is ultimately a character driven story. The writing is excellent. More importantly, it displays patience not accustomed to most films made these days (read: quality films).
In a funny way, the fact that the majority of the main characters in The Visitor are foreign plays to the strength of the films message. It's about acceptance. It's about understanding people before you pass judgement. The performances of the actors, who until now, have really not been accepted or understood by western audiences, plays to its favor.