Richard Jenkins has received an Academy Award(R) nomination for Best Actor for his role in THE VISITOR.
THE VISITOR, written and directed by BAFTA winner Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent), sees Richard Jenkins play Walter Vale a disillusioned college professor who rediscovers his passion for life when he becomes embroiled in the struggles of a young immigrant couple in New York. A widower of five years, Walter lives an aimless life as an economics professor in suburban Connecticut. When he reluctantly agrees to fill in for a colleague at a conference in New York City he discovers a young couple, Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira), have been scammed into illegally renting his vacant flat. Walter agrees to let them stay until they find a place of their own and soon Walter and Tarek bond over their shared passion for music. When an arbitrary interaction with the police lands Tarek, an undocumented New Yorker, in an ICE detention center Walter emerges as the only person able to visit him. When Tarek's mother Mouna (Hiam Abbass) appears in search of her son, Walter's emotional commitment in Tarek's case is sealed.
As the four people struggle to deal with the stark realities of the US immigration system, their shared humanity is revealed in awkward, humorous and dramatic ways.
The 81st Academy Award(R) winners will be announced at the OSCARS(R) on 22nd February 2009.
THE VISITOR is released on DVD on 23rd February 2009.
