Review of The Visit (2015) by Jim P — 10 Jan 2016

Over the river and through the woods...hold on!...do not make this trip!

Turn around, unpack and watch anything else.

I always thought movies were made by passionate artists, that want to tell a story and to entertain us.

Mr. Shamlayan has completely forgotten this and instead delves into his own "man in the high castle".

World, where he mistakenly believes he can do no wrong and continue to misfire. Get out of the house now and then, sir.

You know how to make good film, you just don't remember anymore.

M. Night's The Visit is a slow, ambiguous piece of storytelling.

That never pays off. The pace was slow at a 94 minutes running time, which is disgraceful,.

And by the time the trademark twist came, it was obvious and I really didn't care.

But, I was ready for a potential great third act. Unfortunately, he forgot to write one.

There were very capable actors doing their best with such an adolescent script. All of the leads were.

Inhabiting their character with enthusiasm. A few supporting actors, had nothing to work with and did not really.

Propel the story along. It was not their fault. These were small, important missed opportunities. Often it's the small.

Roles that stand out and help to tell the story. I am also tired of his fetish for actors standing still. Please stop!

The real problem I had, was the set-up. No parent would ever agree to sending their teenage kids off.

On a visit to the grandparents house, far away, when the mother hasn't even seen them in 15 years!

Or talked to them, for that matter...and then she goes on a cruise? Excuse me Mr. Shamalayan, are you serious?

This film wasn't funny, nor scary, or satisfying. The final scene, apologetically inserted at the insistence.

Of his brother, trampled on any memory of the story. It's the only scene I can't get rid of in the back of my mind.

And I hope I can exorcise this eventually.

Maybe that was his intent...to make us forget this movie.