The Daytrippers (1996)

When a happily married woman discovers a love letter written by her husband to an unknown party, she enlists her dysfunctional family to discover the truth.

Director:

Greg Mottola

Writer:

Greg Mottola

Stars:

Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Parker Posey

7 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stanley Tucci	...	Louis D'Amico
Hope Davis	...	Eliza Malone D'Amico
Pat McNamara	...	Jim Malone
Anne Meara	...	Rita Malone
Parker Posey	...	Jo Malone
Liev Schreiber	...	Carl Petrovic
Stephanie Venditto	...	Cassandra
Campbell Scott	...	Eddie Masler
Marc Grapey	...	Aaron
Douglas McGrath	...	Chap
Jill Rowe	...	Monica Young
Andy Brown	...	Ronnie
Paul Herman	...	Leon
Amy Stiller	...	Amy Corinne Fairbright-Lebow
Peter Askin	...	Nick Woodman

Storyline

Eliza D'Amico thinks her marriage to Louis is going great, until she finds a mysterious love note to her husband. Concerned, she goes to her mother for advice. Eliza, her parents, her sister Jo and Jo's boyfriend all pile into a station wagon, to go to the city to confront Louis with the letter. On the way, the five explore their relations with each other, and meet many interesting people.

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Plot Keywords:

letter | party | thanksgiving | station wagon | dysfunctional family | 

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Taglines:

One station wagon. Two generations. Three couples. Four relationships.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

En route vers Manhattan

Filming Locations:

Deer Park, Long Island, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$44,928, 9 March 1997, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,084,559, 24 August 1997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Communications Corporation,Cinépix Film Properties (CFP),Fiasco Photoplays

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 81 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Andrew Marvell is mentioned as a contemporary of Shakespeare, but he wasn't born until five years after the Bard of Avon died.

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Quotes

Eliza D'Amico: Maybe she's desperately in love with him.
Rita Malone: Don't be ridiculous. Nobody's desperately in love.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Christina Aguilera/Jeff Probst/Kid Rock (2015)

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Soundtracks

Sambolero
Written by Luiz Bonfa
Performed by Stan Getz
Published by Peer International Corporation
Courtesy of Verve Records by arrangement with Polygram Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

One day in the city shows the dynamics of a dysfunctional family

Daytrippers is a progressive drama about a family that takes an adventure into New York City after Eliza (Hope Davis) discovers a love letter that may uncover an affair between her husband and somebody named Sandy. Anne Meara does a good job as the typical East Coast, controlling mother. The indie-film queen Parker Posey plays Eliza's little sister whose boyfriend Carl, played by Liev Schreiber, is an exaggeration of the young, snobbish, know-it-all author. The family is hardly functional which makes this film particularly honest.

The key to Daytrippers is not the plot, which never fails to keep you watching, but the dialogue and the situations. Pay close attention to the characters that the family meets in the city. They all embody some kind of contradictions that make you think a little bit. Look for the scene where Marc Grapey begins describing his sexual exploits by condemning such practices.

If you are looking for a drama that provokes you, this is one of them. There are no happy endings and none of the issues raised are resolved. Fans of Parker Posey will especially enjoy her performance in this one.