Release Date:  April 25, 2008 (wide)

Rating:  PG-13 (brief strong language)

Genre:  Drama

Run Time:  108 min.

Director:  Thomas McCarthy

Actors:  Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Jekesai Gurira, Hiam Abbass, Marian Seldes, Maggie Moore, Richard Kind

It was Mary Poppins who famously sang about how “a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.” And waving umbrella or not, that imagery is quite fitting when describing The Visitor. Instead of opting for the oh-so-informative documentary or an intense political thriller to address the hot-button topic of illegal immigration, the filmmakers go straight for the heart with this emotionally compelling drama.

Typically the go-to-guy for supporting roles as the loving...