Film Frap Movie Review: The Visitor & Sicko


	Film Frap >>> Movie Review: The Visitor Tom McCarthy’s second film "The Visitor," appears to be a movie about immigration but its story line runs much deeper. Loneliness, the rigid bureaucracy of life, and the power of chance meetings collide. These meetings change lead character Walter Vale's (Richard Jenkins) life forever. 62 year old Walter Vale has been emotionally freeze framed since the death of his classical pianist wife. He tries to recapture the past by attempting to learn piano but to no avail. He passes a mundane existence as a professor who basically hates what he does, recycling syllabuses for 20 years while further anesthetizing with a glass of red wine. A couple, who start out as alleged invaders of Walter's rarely frequented nyc apartment, slowly awaken his hidden potential. Walter discovers hope, energy and a zest for life through his interactions with Tarek (Haaz Sleiman), an eclectic drummer from Syria and Zainab (Danai Gurira), his Senegalese girlfriend. The professor learns African drums from Tarek, so not him but yet IT IS! He exuberantly joins drumming circles in the park rising above the shadow of his former self. Tarek and Zainab teach Walter how simple and how basic life is. They unearth joy where there should be no joy and this ignites his own world. Walter eventually finds unexpected love with Mouna, the mother of his new friend Tarek. They spend time with each other in search of her son's freedom after he's detained as an illegal alien. But she too is lost to him after an unfortunate turn of events. What can never be lost is the awakening of the character's mind and soul to a world he thought forever eluded him. This solemn, sensitive movie explores lost love and the never ending possibilities of life. A lesson to never give up and never give in. Movie Review: Sicko Michael Moore may be accused of taking creative license with “Sicko” but raising the stakes is what the filmmaker does best since 1989’s “Roger & Me.” "Sicko" is an emotive documentary that speaks to the selfishness and immorality of our healthcare system. It infuses laughter with tears but most of all leaves the viewer with an enlightened perspective of how insurance giants manipulate the system for their gain and our loss "The United States slipped to 37 in healthcare around the world, just slightly ahead of Slovenia," Moore said. It’s a wonder why a reasonably healthy individual would elect to have coverage in light of pocket draining deductibles, denied coverage and outrageous prescription medication costs. Of course, overwhelming fear of an unforeseen illness or accident is enough to take what we can get when we are lucky enough to get “it.” Fashioning our healthcare system after that of Britain’s, France’s or Canada’s would be too simple a solution. Critics misinterpret Moore’s intentions if they believe that’s the film’s message. "Sicko" begs to ask the question: why has the greatest country on earth allowed this to happen? Whether healthcare, or lack thereof, is the hot button issue in the upcoming elections remains to be seen. In any event, the issue has been spotlighted here. Michael Moore surpasses himself through passion and an almost desperate desire to get his vital message out. Chatters check out the Chat Box Blog http://chatterbox-cafe.blogspot.com for the latest exposé on hot topics. © 2008 Noelle Hanrahan. All Rights Reserved.