The worst of Ton Hanks
This was the worst Tom hanks could have done. Either he needed the money that bad or he is stupid enough not to ever question any of the parts.
Beside the writers being too short-sided to write the role based on the true story of a man who lived in Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris. They have no clue about other nationalities' culture, thought process or means of life. Spielberg did not think about it much either. Obviously all his traveling in Europe to make Schindler's List was limited to hotels and sets.
From the beginning Victor is shown as an idiot. He can not even close a suitcase for a kid without breaking it. He has no concept on how to use a phone but in a few days he has learned enough English to understand "sensible heels". He is not capable of understanding any English but no translators has been available to make him understand his situation. The airport authorities are trying to get him leave the airport without permission so somebody else can arrest him and shift the problem to someone else. The only people who are helping Victor are a fugitive Indian man, a law breaking hispanic and a black man who has been bringing pot and alcohol to the airport. Alas, the commissioner and the police won't break the law!!
Although he has been getting food from the food driver everyday, every meal he eats as if he has come from a two week starvation in a well. He can not pronounce "ch" in cheat6s Although his language is hovering around Cryllic which has a letter for the sound but he can say the "h" which is absent. Suddenly he is using the Russian NY guide to learn English. In a few more days he is capable of following conversation about many things with stewardess slut who is jumping flight to screw the married man. The same person not capable of operating a phone is using tools with such expertise that is admired by the American contractors. Also in an airport he can enter different areas, pull fuses, alter furniture, etc… in US, after 9/11. Don't forget that this is an international terminal but it closes at night the same as a little airport in Tortolla, BVI. The languages change from Russian, Belarusian, Bulgarian to gibberish and back. The news clips are Romanian.
This is not a funny movie unless you are an US American with no understanding of other countries who thinks all other countries are just retarded, backwards and idiots. The bureaucracy of US airport are no joke for foreigners and I know as I have come through them. However, at no point you think that you can do any of the things Victor is doing.