Home Alone
The Visitor
Review by Ross Anthony

This little film enjoyed some buzz around Oscar time. In fact, Richard Jenkins was even nominated for best actor alongside Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn. I'm a huge Sean Penn fan, he deserves Oscars -- that's for sure, but I was rooting for Mickey Rourke this time. (He was awesome in the The Wrestler.)

Back to "The Visitor," there's not much to say. I liked the story idea, the topic, the drumming, and a scene or two, but the film is so soft and quiet, there's not much to get excited about. I respect Jenkins' body of work, but don't see Oscar anywhere in this picture. In fact, I thought Jenkins was much more impressive in Step Brothers.

Most of the film Jenkins plays a rather ordinary, apathetic, unremarkable individual. He's scripted a bit squirrelly and lacking compassion. Or course, events transpire that find inside him a spark of compassion. I love the idea, but the spark never catches fire to the film. Our patience with the characters' apathy and uninteresting demeanor is not rewarded in kind. There are some good quality character interactions, but not enough in quantity or intensity to overcome the "this happens, then that happens" progression.

Actually, I'm reminded of a Nicolas Cage film similiar in nature The Weatherman. Give that one a try instead.

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --


  • The Visitor. Copyright © 2008.
  • Starring Richard Jenkins, Hiam Abbass, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira. Directed by Tom McCarthy. Screenplay by Tom McCarthy. Produced by Mary Jane Skalski, Michael London at Overture Films.

Grade..........................C+ (1/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Monday, 02-Mar-2009 20:00:48 PST