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The Accidental Tourist (1988)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
23 December 1988 (USA) morePlot:
An emotionally distant writer of travel guides must carry on with his life after his son is killed and his marriage crumbles. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 3 wins & 8 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Gondry starts filming Green Hornet with Seth Rogen & Cameron Diaz (From Scorecard Review. 3 September 2009, 1:45 PM, PDT)
Green Hornet Starts Production
(From Atomic Popcorn. 3 September 2009, 6:49 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
An Underrated Gem more (77 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| William Hurt | ... | Macon Leary | |
| Kathleen Turner | ... | Sarah Leary | |
| Geena Davis | ... | Muriel Pritchett | |
| Amy Wright | ... | Rose Leary | |
| David Ogden Stiers | ... | Porter Leary | |
| Ed Begley Jr. | ... | Charles Leary | |
| Bill Pullman | ... | Julian | |
| Robert Hy Gorman | ... | Alexander Pritchett (as Robert Gorman) | |
| Bradley Mott | ... | Mr. Loomis | |
| Seth Granger | ... | Ethan Leary | |
| Amanda Houck | ... | Debbie | |
| Caroline Houck | ... | Dorrie | |
| London Nelson | ... | Caroline | |
| Gregory Gouyer | ... | Paris Boy | |
| Bill Lee Brown | ... | Morgue Detective #1 (as W.H. Brown) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
121 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Australia:PG | Brazil:12 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG (Certificate #29469) | Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | UK:PG | West Germany:12Fun Stuff
Trivia:
While filming The Fly (1986), 'Geena Davis was reading the novel on which this film was based. In fact, she would read it to Jeff Goldblum while he went through the hours-long process of having prosthetic make-up applied to his body. Goldblum also appeared in Lawrence Kasdan's earlier films, The Big Chill (1983) and Silverado (1985). moreGoofs:
Continuity: The shaving cream on Macon's face changes as he talks with Sarah. moreQuotes:
Macon: I'm beginning to think that maybe it's not just how much you love someone. Maybe what matters is who you are when you're with them. moreSoundtrack:
I'M GONNA LASSO SANTA CLAUS moreFAQ
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This is a faithful adaption of a brilliant novel. I have seen this movie a dozen times and it gets better with each viewing. It is subtle, yes, and that probably means it is not for everyone. Subtle, however, is not synonymous with boring, as unfortunately many people accustomed to a non-stop barrage of sense-dulling special effects and violence have come to believe. This film is as far from boring as it gets.
What I walked away from this story with is a reaffirmation of a force bigger than ourselves that takes our lives in a new direction -- one that we often consciously choose to reject. Macon Leary, as superbly played by William Hurt, has been sleepwalking through life for years. His profession says it all: he writes books for business travelers who have to visit exotic places but want to feel as if they never left home. Thus, the title, "The Accidental Tourist".
He is separated from his beloved wife, Sarah, played very well by Kathleen Turner. She could no longer live in with the waking death their life had become since the senseless murder of their young son years before. But he still wants nothing more than for her to return and resume that life. Even after a quirky dog-trainer played by Geena Davis (in her well-deserved Oscar-winning performance) enters his life and his heart he believes his future can only be with Sarah.
I don't want to give away the entire story, but I will say that the entire supporting cast, Macon's family (Ed Begley, Jr., Amy Wright, David Ogden Stiers) his editor (Bill Pullman), and a scene-stealing Welsh Corgi contribute richly and completely to the overall power of this story.
Some of the best dialogue I've ever heard on relationships, why they work, and why what we want so dearly to work just doesn't work anymore, is in this film. "Don't be lulled by a false sense of security". This powerful line, is what this film is all about, and it is placed perfectly, as all the memorable lines are. Give it a chance and an open mind because this film is the real deal. In my estimation, "The Accidental Tourist" is American cinema at it's best.