The Visitor: Exploring Themes of Loneliness and Purpose in Film Essay

This essay provides an analysis of the film 'The Visitor', focusing on the character of Walter and his transformation throughout the movie. It examines how Walter, a lonely and melancholic professor, finds a renewed sense of purpose and connection through his interactions with an immigrant couple in New York City. The essay explores the themes of loneliness, the search for meaning, and the impact of human connection on personal growth. It details how Walter's character evolves as he confronts new experiences, embraces music, and becomes aware of the plight of illegal immigrants. The analysis highlights the changes in Walter's behavior, his newfound interest in life, and his evolving perspective on relationships and social issues, ultimately illustrating the constant nature of change in human life and the importance of companionship.

Running head: ESSAY
The visitor 2007
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s note

2ESSAY
In this film the central idea is to state the fact that every person is in pursuit of a purpose
in life. Loneliness, depression, anger and solitude are some of the vicious characteristic in an
individual that surfaces as a person looses the purpose of life. The visitor tells the tale of such an
individual who is looking for a purpose in life again a person who is left in melancholy and
hopelessness in life. Life goes on and purposes keep changing with time and circumstances, it is
important to understand that once a purpose if fulfilled there must be others to fill that gap.
Walter is an established scholar and a man of honor. He is particular about his work and is very
responsible about his role as a teacher. Hence, when he has been given an opportunity to fly to
New York City for a conference he readily takes it up.
Walter is looking for a fulfillment in his life he is in pursuit of a purpose in his lone life.
Walter lives in Connecticut and has recently lost his wife and therefore he is in a state of
perpetual sadness and loneliness. The transition from Connecticut to NYC is a change of tempo
in the movie. As the hustle bustle of NYC develops Walter starts to converse with people that are
out of sheer necessity but his communication with people actually starts after he has left
Connecticut this is the first change that is observed in the character.
In the opening of the movie we see that the character Walter, is a man who is alone and
has a very straight forward life where he just goes to college and is known for his sour behavior
comes back home and leads a very simple and lonely life. The first development in his character
takes place when he first arrives at the apartment he was designate in NYC, Firstly we see a
change in his behavior and the way he communicates with others he is more than shocked to find
a couple already living in the apartment. Consideration grows in a person form the knowledge of
how helpless the other person and the understanding of the situation. C Khalil is a Syrian
musician and Zainab is a Senegalese street vendor both of them are illegal immigrants and were

3ESSAY
living in that apartment illegally. Walter, who was tired of living alone and also felt for the
situation the couple was in invited them to stay with him shows the social change in him.
Third change in his character is brought with the reintroduction of music in his life; he
becomes more lively and cheerful. Previously, we see that Walter is in a state of mourning and is
perpetually living in the past. He is not a musician but he has an undying interest in music and he
always wanted to learn to play an instrument but this was also backed by the state of melancholy
to live in the memories of his dead wife. He also spent time listening to the recorded music of his
wife. Later, Walter became fascinated with Tarek’s African drum, he also went to the little gig
that Tarek played in and he loved how melodious and relaxed first time in a very long time. The
monotony of his life breaks when he meets the young couple; they fill his empty life with music,
little joys and calmness that he has not experienced in a long time. NYC also has a lot to get
Walter in the groove as we see him reciprocate to the two boys playing plastic drum on the
streets.
Fourth change that is observed in Walter is his purist of a meaning and purpose in his life.
From the beginning of the plot Walter has been a lonely and a sullen man who would hardly take
care of himself let alone caring about the way he looks. After he meets Mouna, things start
changing on that front as well friendship develops in to a perspective romance. He tries dressing
up looking good taking care of him. He is also now a happier person and that reflects in his face
and behavior. He finally goes to the theater after a long time and enjoys his time with Mouna.
The fifth change that has been observed in Walter is the fact that he has stood up for
something in his life and better awareness of the situation of illegal immigrants of America.
Throughout the movie Walter who has little or no practical knowledge about the illegal

4ESSAY
immigrants of the country slowly develop interest and a soft corner form them as he learn about
their plight and situation. After Tarek has been captured in the subway, he is desperate to help
the young couple who has brought him back to life. He feels the pain the couple goes through
and strives to help them in any way that he can.
In the life of a human being the change is an only thing which is constant. Meeting
people, socializing, going out with friends, listening to music is integral part of life. Walter is a
middle aged man with a secured job, a house, a financial condition that is stable enough to
support him for the rest of his life so the question arises here is what is his problem then?
Companionship is crucial in the life if anyone. It can be in the form of a friend, family a partner,
a passion as it also helps a person to get closer to a purpose and the energy and force to fulfill it.

5ESSAY
Reference list:
Nytimes.com. 2017. Professor as Student of His Life and Others’. [online] Available at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/movies/11visi.html [Accessed 1 Sep. 2017].
Theguardian.com. 2017. The Visitor. [online] Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/jul/06/culture.drama [Accessed 1 Sep. 2017].