The Visitor (2007 Tom McCarthy & scr)

Tom's debut as writer was The Station Agent (have to rewatch that next), after this came up with the stories for Up and Win Win (Giamatti, Ryan, Cannavale) which he also directed, Million Dollar Arm (John Hamm, Indian cricketers), Spotlight (co-wrote with Josh Singer and won Oscar) and the new Christopher Robin.

Depressed, repressed college lecturer Richard Jenkins (Oscar nom.) finds illegal immigrants Haaz Sleiman and Danai Gurira staying in his flat, lets them stay on. Then when the lad is busted, helps his mother Hiam Abbass. All these four are really good.

Story involves drumming, thus a bit disappointing the urban plastic bucket drummers don't jam with the more ethnic ones. Drops its plot points in subtly (his wife, her husband).

It's a melancholic, truthful and sad film which perhaps could have done with some more humour. I remember wondering last time why RJ didn't just marry Hiam and that might have stopped Haaz being deported back to Syria - with what's happened there since, the ending is even more poignant.

Photographed by Oliver Bokelberg (also Station Agent, Win Win).