The Accidental Tourist

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 23, 1988

7.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Ratings

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lucys.Oct 29, 2005

This film requires several viewings. Appreciation for William Hurt's abilities may be difficult to endure if one is in a similar state of mind. The possibilities of life returning after a devistating experience of the death of a child, This film requires several viewings. Appreciation for William Hurt's abilities may be difficult to endure if one is in a similar state of mind. The possibilities of life returning after a devistating experience of the death of a child, particularly to a person who was guarded against life previously to the child's death, demonstrates transformation at its most wonderful state.… Expand

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MikeG.Dec 7, 2005

I'm with Pauline Kael on this one. This movie dragged and dragged and dragged, except when Geena Davis showed up every few minutes to annoy the audience - her performance was someone rubbing her hand over a balloon. I just couldn't I'm with Pauline Kael on this one. This movie dragged and dragged and dragged, except when Geena Davis showed up every few minutes to annoy the audience - her performance was someone rubbing her hand over a balloon. I just couldn't believe how long this movie seemed to be and how relieved I was when it was finally over.… Expand

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beingryanjudeSep 1, 2014

The Accidental Tourist is a whirlwind of emotions--sadness and laughter throughout. The film is worth seeing for the performances of Kathleen Turner and Geena Davis alone.

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FilipeNetoOct 29, 2020

Honestly, I expected much more from this film. In addition to appears to be a little dated, I think it suffers immensely from the fact that the overwhelming majority of it's characters, including the protagonist, are boring or unpleasant.Honestly, I expected much more from this film. In addition to appears to be a little dated, I think it suffers immensely from the fact that the overwhelming majority of it's characters, including the protagonist, are boring or unpleasant.

The film addresses how Macon Leary, a travel guide writer who writes for those who have to travel but hate to do so, will rebuild his own life after his son's painful death and the end of his marriage. He is, as it were, a monotonous and absolutely uninteresting being, who seems to have an aversion to unexpected situations or strong emotions. For me, this is enough to prevent me from having any sympathy for him. It's too tasteless! But even worse and more detestable was the attitude of his wife, Sarah, who is so selfish and self-centered that she prefers divorce after feeling that she does not receive any support from her husband when their son dies. Did she think that he, without showing it, in a closed way, was also suffering? Interesting and appealing was Muriel, who seems to take pleasure in turning Macon's world inside out.

The cast is full of big names and that always has its weight. William Hurt is a good actor and does what he can but is unable to please me. It's not the actor's fault, but the character's and the way he was thought. It's a growing work, with the actor showing an increasingly wide range of emotions, but it was something necessary for the character. Geena Davis is extraordinary and achieves, with this film, one of the most notable works of her career, in my opinion. Kathleen Turner is a great actress too, but I felt she has little to do here. Amy Wright, David Ogden Stiers and Ed Begley Jr. are also part of this film, in secondary characters.

Technically, it is an uninteresting film as well: cinematography is quite dated, with low light and washed colors, but that was normal at the time it was released. Sets and costumes do not disappoint but also do not please. The pace is quite slow and there is a dose of melodrama that can be tedious, but which is greatly attenuated by the moments of light humor, most of which are played by Davis and animals. The soundtrack, by John Williams, not being his best, fulfills its role.… Expand

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ehuismanJul 12, 2020

Enjoyable at best, the Accidental Tourist misses too many of its marks to hold up. Its problematic ideas on gender can be forgiven in 1988, although they were growing out of fashion even then. Its romantic touches are too light to pass forEnjoyable at best, the Accidental Tourist misses too many of its marks to hold up. Its problematic ideas on gender can be forgiven in 1988, although they were growing out of fashion even then. Its romantic touches are too light to pass for serious commentary, but too heavy to qualify as comedic. Hurt's character is original, but played too thickly. John Williams sounds like Mozart is leading band camp; it's good but in the wrong context. The female leads keep the film from falling apart, but even they are not strong enough to make the experience anything close to memorable.… Expand

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