Dim the lights; enjoy the show

Yesterday I went to COMO's beloved Ragtag with my sweet friend Blythe. For those of you that are not familiar, the Ragtag is a wonderfully intimate movie theater that plays independent films and documentaries with the occasional throw-back to a classic such as Breakfast at Tiffany's added to the calendar.

Ordinarily I hate the movie theater because I am the short person that always has the tallest person sit in front of her. I am the person that has the gem of an individual parked behind me for the sole purpose of kicking the back of my seat. I am the person that picks just the right time to hit the theater in this college town when all of the sorostitutes are out pretending to be interested in the movie but really just want to talk on their cell phones in the theater. Oh, I should also mention that I am the person with the short temper for any of this nonsense so it is ill-advised for anyone else to want to go with me because I will, in fact, loudly tell you it is rude use your cell phone in the theater and to stop it. In an effort to avoid physical confrontation for both myself and whomever might be accompanying me I simply do not go to the movies. That is of course, unless you're talking about the Ragtag.

It may seem elitist, but I do not care; the Ragtag clientèle is different; it's an eclectic mix of young professionals, contemporary hippies, professors, bright young high schoolers and so on with the commonality being that they all want to see and hear the show. There are no fancy theater seats, rather the room is filled with old 70sish looking furniture, a hodgepodge of doctors' office waiting room chairs and old couches in lovely hues of avocado and burnt orange. The popcorn isn't buttery, but it is freshly popped. The Uprise Bakery is located inside with a full menu of delicious soups, sandwiches and other baked treats. There's a bar, stocked with a decent wine list and several of the beer-lovers essentials rotating on tap, such as New Castle and Guinness. The halls and entryway are resplendent with original and rotating artwork from local artists. Occasionally the Ragtag brings in an actor, writer or director for the film it's showcasing to host a lively Q. and A. The projectionists always introduce the film with fun tidbits about other upcoming showcases. There is a brief intermission for bathroom break or another cocktail, coffee or treat. It is an atmosphere that you can not help but enjoy, and for me it is additionally desirable to visit because it is supporting small, local business. Needless to say, I subscribe to their calendar of events and try to catch shows there when my personal calendar allows. If nothing else it serves as a guide for films to be on the lookout for.

Every once in a while there is a film that I simply can not wait to see. When the June calendar came out I knew The Visitor was one of those films. I am happy to report that it did not disappoint. I will not offer you a typical movie review here, as I hate the way reviewers often spoil a film. Instead I simply implore you to give this movie a viewing. The movie's title is intentionally ambiguous: Who, exactly, is the visitor? Who belongs here and who doesn't?

The Visitor is about the miraculousness of finding a sense of place, even when a person feels doomed to dislocation. The writing and directing are superb, and the acting is phenomenal. Richard Jenkins (dad from Six Feet Under) seems to effortlessly act the lead. His ennui laden character spoke to my heart. The remainder of the cast is also exceptional and definitely beautiful to boot (see Haaz Sleiman and Danai Jekesai Gurira).

I found myself both laughing and crying as this is a piece that is both wistful and comedic. To be certain, although it is very much a film about people and their relationships, it is also a film primarily placed in post 9/11 NY and is laced with political commentary on immigration, xenophobia and American ideals of liberty and justice for “all.”

Additionally, I couldn't ask for a better soundtrack to accent the work. The Visitor is filled with light and often melancholy piano notes as well as rousing Afro-centric drum beats and briefly features the sounds of Fela Kuti.

The Visitor is so fresh in my heart and mind that I could give you quite a detailed and accurate recap, but truly, I want you to watch it yourselves. If anything, because I've been such a lazy blogger lately I might give you my two cents on immigration/deportation sometime soon. I simply haven't had the time to write lately, but given the new MO immigration reform hitting close to home for me I just might make the time to churn something out.

In the interim at least enjoy the movie trailer.