- published: 12 Nov 2011
- views: 29617
The Visitor is a 2008 American drama film written and directed by Thomas McCarthy and produced by Michael London and Mary Jane Skalski. Executive producers were Jeff Skoll and Omar Amanat. The screenplay focuses on a lonely man in late middle age whose life changes when he is forced to face issues relating to identity, immigration, and cross-cultural communication in post-9/11 New York City.
For The Visitor, McCarthy won the 2008 Independent Spirit Award for Best Director, while Richard Jenkins was nominated for Best Actor in the 2008 Academy Awards.
Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) is a widowed Connecticut College economics professor who lives a fairly solitary existence. He fills his days by sometimes taking piano lessons in an effort to emulate his late wife, a classical concert pianist, and infrequently works on a new book. When he is asked to present a paper at an academic conference at New York University, he is not enthusiastic to make the trip, given he is only the nominal co-author and has never even read the complete work. Charles (Michael Cumpsty), his department head, insists and Walter is forced to attend.
Sorry I'm so late,
but I've been out walking
Trying to find a way to tell you
What I think you already know
I'd never want to hurt you 'cause darling I still love you
But things aren't like they used to be
It's time for letting go
I wasn't out there looking, but a month ago last Sunday
I met someone just like you in line at the grocery store
And we've been spending time together
Yeah, she knows all about you
The truth is she can give me
What you can't anymore
Chorus
Lookin' back when we first started
I never thought I'd see this day
If only I could write the pages
Our story wouldn't end this way
I feel so much better knowing we could have this moment
But it looks like it may rain soon and it's getting kind of late
I'll always bring your roses each time I come to visit
The caretaker's waving, he wants to close the gates
Chorus
If only I could write the pages