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50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought-Provoking, Slow-Paced Conflicted Romance, March 7, 2005
THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST has some of the most interesting dialogue ever heard in a film about relationships. The story begins when Macon Leary, a travel writer played by William Hurt, comes home to find his wife, Sarah, (played by Kathleen Turner) wants a divorce. This marriage has endured almost unbearable strain after the death of their only son, and Macon's coping strategy is to strive to keep things as they are. When Macon's welsh corgi becomes bad-tempered and starts to bite, Macon can't stand the thought of parting with the dog that was his son's childhood companion. Macon is forced to rely on others when he breaks his leg and moves in with his sister and brothers, and the movie really picks up momentum when he meets a sparkling divorcee dog trainer named Muriel Pritchett (played by Geena Davis). Muriel has her eyes on Macon Leary from the first moment she sees him, when she begins a long campaign to win this world-weary man over and bring joy back into his life. When Sarah finds out that Macon is seeing another woman, she has a change of heart about finalizing the divorce, and seeks a reconciliation. Macon's choice then becomes one of maintaining the status quo or navigating his way through uncertain yet exciting territories with someone new. Both the acting and the dialogue in THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST are first-rate and highly memorable. Geena Davis steals the show with her shining performance of a quirky, life-positive divorced single mom with a single-minded interest in helping Macon Leary to become more than a reluctant sight-seer in life. My favorite line of dialogue in this dialogue-driven film is when Macon says to Sarah, "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." I've contemplated this concept for years, and been continually inspired by it's significance. While this film may be considered slow-moving and somewhat sad, it ultimately delivers an uplifting and inspirational message of hope.
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the top five movies of all time, May 14, 2001
While it has been criticized for it's slow, quiet pace, this is one of the most bold and heroic stories ever put on film. Years ago I was swept away by Anne Tyler's novel, and was hesitant to see the movie (knowing movie adaptations of novels almost always disappoint.) I found myself instead swept away in new and different ways by the movie, which is incredibly true to the narrative of the novel. What Macon Leary is going through would not be described as depression as much as recession...pulling away from his life, falling deeper into himself where it is small and quiet and safe, far away from the world that had murdered his son. This drives his wife away from him, leaving him to spiral more deeply into himself until the unexpected hand of a quirky dog trainer pulls him up and out of himself. When Macon reunites with his estranged wife he begins to tumble back in on himself until he discovers that it's not only how much you love somebody, but who you are when you're with that person that matters the most. William Hurt's narration over various scenes in this film ad a layer to it that could never have been achieved in the novel. This film is a must see for any student of the human condition.
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34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous Movie With Intense Character Studies Throughout..., May 24, 2004
"The Accidental Tourist" Hmmm... even the title of the film has many meanings. Unhappily married couple, Macon Leary,(William Hurt)a travel guide author and Sarah Leary (Kathleen Turner) have just lost their young son Ethan to an accident. Each of them goes through the grief process alone and thus, the marriage is quite dead. They separate, with Sarah leaving Macon in the big, old empty Victorian house alone, save for Ethan's badly behaved dog, a Welsh corgie named Edward. When Edward misbehaves, Macon just can't get rid of the dog because it reminds him of the good times that Ethan had with Edward. So, Macon takes the dog to obedience school and meets a very ecentric young woman named Muriel Pritchett. Muriel is a young divorcee with a very sickly little boy, named Alexander (Robert Hy Gorman in a very nice portrayal for a little guy). Muriel pursues Macon, a sexual relationship ensues and Macon opens up for the first time about his sorrow for Ethan. There comes a time when macon has to decide what he wants as Sarah returns to the homeplace and wants to try again. Amy Wright, David Ogden Stiers, and Ed Begley Jr. all turn in WONDERFUL performances as Macon's odd siblings who live together in the family home that they grew up in. Bill Pullman also turns in a great performance as Julian, Macon's publisher. This is a wonderful character study of families, their hurt, disappointment and finally, reconciliation. The film is strongly written and well acted. If you are looking for a funny romance like, "When Harry Met Sally", a spooky romance like "Ghost" or a treacly, sappy sweet romance like "Sabrina", then you are looking in the wrong place. If you like to see characters that pluck at your heart strings and seem "oh so real" then this is a movie for YOU! Highly recommended! Happy Watching!
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