I never considered Robert Jenkins (“Six Feet Under”, recently “Step Brothers”) to be an actor I was excited to see in a new film. I have always found him to be cold and unsympathetic in a way, much like Tommy Lee Jones Don’t get me wrong I consider both of them highly skilled actors, but a lot of buzz has been swirling around Jenkins performance here in “The Visitor” and I can certainly say his performance is worthy of the high praise.

Tom McCarthy’s follow-up to his debut film, “The Station Agent”, is a quiet film with quiet performances. Now I can understand if you think that sounds boring, but it isn’t. his film doesn’t need over-the-top acting or camera tricks, the script glides through these characters lives making sure each touch each other in some way. Anchored by a beautiful piano score McCarthy’s film tackles some deep issues a post 9/11 America has and it is unaware of.

Walter (Robert Jenkins) is an economics professor who is clearly bored within his world. He’s a cold man, saddened, but never shows it. In one scene, his piano instructor, an elderly woman, kindly recommends him to keep on practicing but Walter says she doesn’t need to come back next week. She gets the point-she’s been fired. Walter is clearly pretending to have some sort of life. Is he saddened still, years after his wife’s passing? Are he and his son estranged? Is he just an old goat unable to socialize? This is where Jenkins performance earns the praise. It’s nuanced slightly, perhaps as only a grumpy old man like Jenkins can deliver.

When he retreats back to his New York City apartment to get away, he finds his landlord has let two people live there. They’re decent people that have been taking advantage of and when they agree to leave, Walter has a second thought about kicking them out. It is his apartment after all, but something has made him change. He starts a unique friendship with the couple, particularly Tarek (Haaz Slieman), a young man who is skilled with the African drum. Walter clearly has an appreciation for music and this is where their friendship blossoms.

The film explores race, immigration and especially, American attitude towards the Muslim culture, but using these characters to show how easily one’s life can change and how respect can go along way in making us all better. The film walks a fine line up to cliché but features genuine moments that never is forced but comes naturally. Walter’s bored life is wiped away when Tarek is arrested and soon he fins meaning he has probably longed for. The ending is especially moving and touching, a rousing final scene and one great performance after another, compliment a rare, intelligent film about people and caring. The film never cheats its message, although some critics have clearly missed the point.

Some have said a white man changes for the better through colored people, but one who says that is blind to McCarthy’s messages. Walter does change and for the better, but the film isn’t just about his arc. What about Tarek’s mother, played beautifully by Haim Abbass? Wasn’t she not changed and moved by Walter’s kind acts? Didn’t Tarek’s girlfriend started out uneasy towards Walter only to warm up to him and consider him a friend? Some critics just don’t get it. This critic did and highly recommends “The Visitor” for all of its sublime moments that quietly tagged together one great film.