Product Details

• Actors: Geena Davis, Harrison Gilbertson, Joel Tobeck, Sebastian Gregory, Harry Cook
• Directors: Andrew Lancaster
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
• DVD Release Date: July 27, 2010
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003HTPHSG
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,597 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Accidents Happen" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

There are dysfunctional families .. And then there are the conways. After a family tragedy 15-year-old billy conway has become the de facto glue between his bitter mom distant brother & stoic dad. But when billy starts to act out everything changes for him & his family. Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 07/27/2010 Starring: Geena Davis Run time: 92 minutes Rating: R

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky & humorous dysfunctional families film, August 30, 2010

By 

Tim the Aereopagite "Timbo" (Wattle Flat, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Accidents Happen (DVD)

I saw this film yesterday at a regional film festival in Dubbo NSW. It is one of several Australian films (yes, it was shot in suburban Sydney!) in recent years, aimed at the American market. But it remains thoroughly Australian in its quirky, almost black humour at times.

The film revolves around the central character of Billy Conway and his dysfunctional family (in fact, all the characters seem a bit that way inclined...). It recounts his misadventures and disasters, from the opening scenes where he plays under the hose sprinkler on his front lawn while the next door neighbour accidentally incinerates himself, to the car accident which kills his sister and puts his dynamic & mischevious older twin brother Gene into a vegetative state. When he takes up with Gene's 'partner-in-crime' Doug, son of a neighbouring family, they accidentally kill HIS father as well... The lovely Geena Davis plays a convincing and at times heart-rending role as Billy's sharp-tongued mother Gloria, ably backed by some wonderful emerging new talent in 14-year old Harrison Gilbertson as Billy, and Harry Cook as the also-ran 'other' twin brother, Larry (whose performance is loosely reminiscent of Gabby Millgate's character Joanie in Muriel's Wedding... "Muriel, you're awful...").

The ensuing trail of accidents & disasters ("I'm not exactly a good luck charm," Billy tells Doug at one point) are actually woven between some moments of genuine pathos and depth. The consequent collision of guilt, truth and self-discovery prove to be just what Billy and his family need to move on.

There are also some humorous cameos, like the two policemen... who become more of caricatures as the film progresses. And never underestimate the potential of a bowling ball....

Quirky comedy, coming-of-age movie, nostalgia trip... this film crosses over between several classifications. It was a pleasure to watch, evoking as it did considerable laughter, some tears, and a good deal of hope... and some profound moments to boot.

I was surprised at the R rating, despite a couple of graphic scenes... perhaps the innate black humour was not understood by the classification board as well as the audience I watched it with.

It is the debut feature from Australian writer/director Andrew Lancaster. Accidents Happen was also runner-up in the Audience Award at the 2009 Sydney Film Festival and was included in the Official Selection of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.

I look forward to seeing more of some of the previously unknown new talent in this film.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Misadventures of a boy who was NOT A GOOD LUCK CHARM, November 18, 2010

By 

TJ-STL "DVD viewer" (St Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Accidents Happen (DVD)

This was a well produced video that held your interest. No guns blazing, no fighting, sex or drugs (well except for the one joint and an alcoholic son). It was just a well made and acted movie with some black humor that never seemed to end. In the credits I could not believe it was made in Australia, everything said and looked like SURBURBAN AMERICA. Good video, see it, buy it keep it. Not a block buster but it kept you interested with a tear or two near the end, along with humor.

5.0 out of 5 stars Geena Davis: What Talent She Has, September 21, 2011

By 

Kendalene Markston "Grateful Movie Locator" (Lebanon, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Accidents Happen (DVD)

I absolutely love Geena Davis as an actress; her talents and abilities are excellent. My favorite film of hers is "Thelma and Louise" because of the suspense, quirkiness, how the film builds into a scenario that was never meant "to be," and how events in life turn into things we cannot possibly predict or envision in the long-term. Although only a movie, it was depicting just how crazy things in our lives can become. "Accidents Happen" is one I recommend although I haven't seen it yet! (I will soon...). I did read about the movie closely beforehand, which is why I purchased it. I feel sure it will be well worth watching and I look forward to it. Therefore, I do recommend this movie to fans of Geena Davis, as it looks quite engrossing.