Watch The Volunteer

The Volunteer is a 2013 drama movie directed by Vicky Dulai. The movie stars Aunjanue Ellis, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Scott Wolf in lead roles. It tells the story of a young woman named Taniya (played by Aunjanue Ellis) who works as a volunteer at a homeless shelter in New York City. She comes in contact with a homeless man named Batiste (played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach) who is suffering from a mental illness.

Taniya is compassionate towards Batiste and tries to help him by finding him a place to stay and get medical attention. But her efforts are thwarted by the bureaucracy and indifference of the system. She eventually takes Batiste to her own apartment and takes care of him. In the meantime, Taniya's husband Mark (played by Scott Wolf), who is a successful lawyer, is annoyed by her involvement with Batiste and thinks that she is wasting her time.

The story takes a turn when Taniya discovers that Batiste has a secret that he has been hiding from everyone. She begins to investigate his past and uncovers a shocking truth that changes everything. As a result, Taniya faces a dilemma and has to make a tough choice that will impact everyone's life.

The Volunteer is a character-driven movie that explores themes of homelessness, mental illness, and social inequality. It shows how one person's kindness and determination can make a difference in another person's life. The movie also highlights the flaws and limitations of the social and legal systems that fail to address the root causes of homelessness and mental illness.

The performances in the movie are top-notch, especially Aunjanue Ellis who delivers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of Taniya. Ebon Moss-Bachrach is equally impressive as Batiste and brings a sense of vulnerability and depth to his character. Scott Wolf's character serves as a counterpoint to Taniya's idealism and gives the movie a dose of realism.

The movie's direction is competent and captures the gritty reality of life in New York City. The editing and cinematography are effective in creating a mood of melancholy and despair. The music score by Rob Simonsen complements the visuals and adds emotional depth to the story.

In conclusion, The Volunteer is a poignant and thought-provoking movie that raises important questions about our society's treatment of the homeless and mentally ill. It is a movie that will leave a lasting impact on its viewers and inspire them to take action. If you are looking for a movie that is both entertaining and socially relevant, then The Volunteer is definitely worth watching.

The Volunteer is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.