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The Accidental Tourist

  • 1988
  • PG
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
18K
YOUR RATING
The Accidental Tourist (1988)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox
Play trailer0:29
1 Video
29 Photos
Quirky ComedyRomantic ComedyComedyDramaRomance

An emotionally distant writer of travel guides must carry on with his life after his son is killed and his marriage crumbles.An emotionally distant writer of travel guides must carry on with his life after his son is killed and his marriage crumbles.An emotionally distant writer of travel guides must carry on with his life after his son is killed and his marriage crumbles.

  • Director
    • Lawrence Kasdan
  • Writers
    • Anne Tyler
    • Frank Galati
    • Lawrence Kasdan
  • Stars
    • William Hurt
    • Kathleen Turner
    • Geena Davis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    18K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lawrence Kasdan
    • Writers
      • Anne Tyler
      • Frank Galati
      • Lawrence Kasdan
    • Stars
      • William Hurt
      • Kathleen Turner
      • Geena Davis
    • 120User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Accidental Tourist
    Trailer 0:29
    The Accidental Tourist

    Photos29

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    Top cast32

    Edit
    William Hurt
    William Hurt
    • Macon Leary
    Kathleen Turner
    Kathleen Turner
    • Sarah Leary
    Geena Davis
    Geena Davis
    • Muriel Pritchett
    Amy Wright
    Amy Wright
    • Rose Leary
    David Ogden Stiers
    David Ogden Stiers
    • Porter Leary
    Ed Begley Jr.
    Ed Begley Jr.
    • Charles Leary
    Bill Pullman
    Bill Pullman
    • Julian Hedge
    Robert Hy Gorman
    Robert Hy Gorman
    • Alexander
    • (as Robert Gorman)
    Bradley Mott
    • Lucas Loomis
    Seth Granger
    • Ethan
    Amanda Houck
    • Debbie
    Caroline Houck
    • Dorrie
    London Nelson
    • Caroline
    Gregory Gouyer
    • Paris Boy
    Bill Lee Brown
    Bill Lee Brown
    • Morgue Detective #1
    • (as W.H. Brown)
    Donald Neal
    • Morgue Detective #2
    Peggy Converse
    • Mrs. Barrett
    Maureen Kerrigan
    • Laura Canfield
    • Director
      • Lawrence Kasdan
    • Writers
      • Anne Tyler
      • Frank Galati
      • Lawrence Kasdan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews120

    6.717.9K
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    Featured reviews

    9THX 1138

    Cinematographic pearl.

    I agree to almost every word reviewer Takatomon wrote. One of this movie's greatest merits is that it deals with issues in life in a unpolished and natural way. It's easy to understand how this movie can be overlooked by the majority of viewers as this movie isn't for the majority of viewers. That is, the majority that's expecting to be entertained in the Hollywood style of film making. With that I mean those "strong" performances we all want to see from characters as Hoffman in "Rain Man" or Hanks in "Forrest Gump". Or vast visuals, filmed in the broadest scope, or action packed sequences. Not in "The Accidental Tourist". What you do get is William Hurt in what I think is one of his best roles as Macon Leary, writer of travel guides and Geena Davis in an exquisite role as the pet store owner. I've admired actors for the way they can portray mentally or socially challenged people (Rainman, Forrest Gump, Of mice and men, etc.). These parts tend to win the Oscars. But I'd rather give one to Hurt for his portrayal of Macon Leary because this character doesn't show obvious signs of any handicap. Actually Macon is very plain. What can be more difficult than acting out a role of a person who's personal qualities don't jump at you right away? "The Accidental Tourist" is a movie of high quality and should be given a fair chance.
    leonjoel

    one of the best movies i have ever seen

    the Accidental Tourist is among the best movies ever made in the world.Maybe it is not absolutely the best, but as to me it is the most well understood one. that probably is the reason why i love it so much. When i watched it, i can even felt what Macon Leary was feeling inside---i could feel the complicated mood when he called Sarah in his hotel in Paris, i can understand that his heart has already belonged to Muriel when he said it's OK to Sarah, who asked for his opinion on the newly bought sofa. he was a captious guy!and i can also read his heart when he close the door to Muriel, not willing to take her on his trip the next morning. Also i can read the deep love for Muriel on his smiling face when he met Muriel at the gate of the hotel at the end of the movie. I can't agree with some people who think this movie lacks energy. it might appear to lack, but u could have felt the passion in their hearts if u can understand them. this remind me of another movie--Once Upon A Time In America, which is also said to lack energy, but i can feel the great passion in Noodles and Deborah's heart when they "quietly" meet in the bar after Noodle was released from the jail. only a few words from Deborah can make me feel that! Just as sometimes the clothes do not make the man, sometimes the movie is not what it appears! there is seldom any good movies from which we can not feel the passion!
    9reignsong

    Hurt's performance a minimalist masterpiece

    Hurt expresses more with the slightest movement on his face than most actors do with pages of dialogue. An achingly beautiful portrait of a man trapped within himself, struggling at once to stay in and get out
    10Greensleeves

    Superb Movie with lots of food for thought.

    This is a wonderful film by Lawrence Kasdan about a man who withdraws from his relationships with other people (and the world) after a terrible family tragedy. William Hurt plays the character of 'Macon', a man who writes books for people who don't want to travel and has become as grey and dull as his suit. His wife Sarah (the vibrant Kathleen Turner) separates from him and after an accident he goes to live with his family who live a life organised by his sister, Rose (Amy Wright) and settles into a dull routine. Even his dog seems to be turning against him, then he meets Muriel (Geena Davis) when boarding his dog and she not only teaches the dog new tricks but also shows Macon that his ways can be changed too. William Hurt gives a truly marvellous performance as a man who has given up on life and has become almost catatonic. This is a film that gets better with each subsequent viewing, containing much food for thought especially for anyone that wishes for a 'safe' and 'planned' life. The wonderful dreamlike score is by John Williams and it was nominated for an Oscar amongst many nominations for this film. Thankfully this outstanding movie is now available on DVD and in the correct viewing format.
    d-walker733

    One of the great American films of the last 20 years

    At last,the dvd has arrived and it is a pure joy from start to finish.I was 21 when I first saw this film at the theatre and I knew it was good then,but now,a little older and wiser,I consider it a masterpiece.William Hurt's performance is mesmerising and Geena Davis is at her best.The dvd has 14 deleted scenes and I do feel sorry for Kathleen Turner,as some of her best work is on the cutting room floor.If you enjoy a real actor's movie,then this will not disappoint.The last 5 minutes,with marvellous John Williams underscoring,is sheer perfection.How this did not win best picture I shall never know.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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).
    • Goofs
      After returning from England, Macon reaches into his pocket for his keys twice.
    • Quotes

      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.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Working Girl/I'm Gonna Git You Sucka/Rain Man/Torch Song Trilogy/Haunted Summer (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      I'M GONNA LASSO SANTA CLAUS
      Written by Frankie Adams and 'Wilbur Jones'

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 6, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Reisen des Mr. Leary
    • Filming locations
      • 324 Hawthorne Road, Roland Park, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $32,632,093
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $97,578
      • Dec 26, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $32,632,093
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 1 minute
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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