Rating: 
Summary: It's About time for this Classic
Review: Finally, a DVD of this timeless classic. This is surely one of the best dramas in the history of the American Cinema. Although the grief Hurt's character goes through is quite specific, anyone who has experienced any type of tragedy or loss in their life can relate to his character. The movie shows his transformation from being totally destroyed inside to his rebirth. Despite having watched this film numerous times, the last five minutes always gets to me. It is indeed a rarity when a movie can make you cry without manipulating you (like Terms of Endearment). By the end of this film, the viewer completely understands the journey Hurt's character has travelled. The smile on his face in the taxi says it all. This one should not be missed.
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Summary: Love and Death and Death and Love
Review: A searingly beautiful film about a man, Macon Leary, emptied as he tries weakly to bear that which is wholly unbearable. This was William Hurt at his best, so subdued on the surface, but seething with rage at the absurdity of both the mundane and the horrid.Geena Davis does a lovely turn as a deceptively simple woman who engages his grief with sheer kindness and love; and Kathleen Turner is excellent in the brief role of his ripped up wife. I didn't read the book, as I normally don't read fiction, but I think I'll try it now.
Rating: 
Summary: No need to Marshall Fine excuses
Review: The "editorial review" for this wonderful character study was written by Marshall Fine, a Sioux Falls, SD newspaper critic who hates everything. Pay him no mind. In film and theatre critique one draws more readers with vinegar than honey. But enough on that. Even though Accidental Tourist has no car crashes and no blood and no grimacing Rambo screaming as he wins the VietNam War singlehandedly, it is not merely a chick flick. It has pathos, it has rich characters, vividly drawn; it has sad drama and many tender laughs (Gena Davis singing, "I'm Gonna Bop Bop Santa Claus" for example). Macon Leary is a subdued, somewhat anal-retentive travel guide writer whose son was murdered in a fast food restaurant robbery. The tragedy destroyed his wife and ultimately his marriage. Now he must learn to travel through a world not of his own making - an Accidental Tourist. When we meet his quirky family we see he is not the dimmest candle on the cake by any means. Yet an oddly wonderful woman refuses to let him live his life as a ghost. Like all good stories of people, Macon grows, learns and changes. Those who have seen William Hurt in other films will KNOW the downplayed, lethargic portrayal is INTENDED and those who have met such empty souls will see that this portrayal is AUTHENTIC. A brilliant tale, skillfully wrought.
Rating:
Summary: It's about time
Review: A long overdue release on one of Wm. Hurt's best flicks. Now if Anchor Bay could release "Until The End Of The World" everything would be good.
Rating:
Summary: About time for this release
Review: Ive been waiting for this title to be released on DVD for almost 4 years. One of the best films ever. I was glad this never fell into WB's unfortunate discount line of DVD's that didnt even get a widescreen treatment. It will be nice if this release has a few extras, but Im looking forward to it anyway. I would be highly disapointed if this isnt released widescreen, it would keep me from purchasing the DVD.
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Summary: Take an emotional "tour" and watch this movie
Review: This movie has an almost "independent film" vibe, with its odd characters and quirky humorous moments. If only a great DVD would come out! But I make do with my worn video copy. It's a great movie to watch on a lazy rainy weekend when you don't want to leave the house. William Hurt plays a travel writer, slowly pushing away everyone in his life after his young son is killed in a robbery, unable to deal with his great loss. Kathleen Turner plays his wife, who leaves him once she recovers from her son's death. Geena Davis plays a dog trainer who ingratiates herself in Hurt's character's life, eventually forcing him to rejoin the living. Anyone who has suffered a great loss either will recover on their own or will slowly build a wall around themselves, such as Hurt's character does. If only everyone had a Muriel to come along with a sledgehammer to destroy their walls! Definitely a movie for anyone who needs to be reminded of the redeeming power of love.
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Summary: Incredibly touching and often humorous
Review: The Accidental Tourist, a film by the great writer-director-producer Lawrence Kasdan, is an incredibly moving film about a man (played by William Hurt) who has created a barrier between himself, his emotions, and the people around him. This man, named Macon Leary, is distancing himself from other people and his feelings as a result of the tragic death of his young son Ethan (Seth Granger). Macon's wife Sarah (Kathleen Turner) states that she wishes to have a divorce due to Macon's detachment from his emotions, thus further saddening Macon's life. Macon's profession is a travel guide author. His books, one of which is entitled The Accidental Tourist, explain how people who dislike traveling can feel like they are still at home while they are out of town. For instance, rather than enjoy foreign cuisine, Macon's books advise its readers to locate American restaurants overseas. (In other words, Macon's books take the fun out of travel, as he takes the fun out of his own life). When Macon has to leave the country to do research for one of his guides, he has to leave his dog Edward at the kennel. At the kennel Macon encounters the eccentric Muriel Pritchett (Geena Davis), a curiously odd woman who decides to remove Macon from his shell and develop a romantic relationship with him while training Edward to be more responsive and friendlier. Even though Muriel is not Macon's type, their relationship grows. Macon acts as a father figure for Muriel's son Alexander (Robert Gorman) who is allergic to just about everything. As his relationship with Muriel and her son develops, Macon experiences an emotional journey that makes him a happier, more daring person. Although The Accidental Tourist is about a man's emotional journey in overcoming a tragic event, the film is often humorous and even hilarious at times. We see how Macon developed his ability to be as emotionally removed as possible when we meet his brothers Porter (David Ogden Stiers) and Charles (Ed Begley, Jr.) and sister Rose (Amy Wright). The siblings live together in the house they grew up in, are reluctant to pick up the phone, alphabetize their grocery purchases, and play indecipherable card games. The scenes taking place at home are well-timed comedic parts of the film with dialogue that is quite amusing (these scenes are especially comical when Macon's publisher Julian, played by Bill Pullman, stops by for dinner because of his infatuation with Rose). Davis is equally funny in her scenes with Hurt, as she makes atypical statements and says practically anything that she wants to say no matter how abnormal she will look as a result. The screenplay by Kasdan and Frank Galati, adapted from Anne Tyler's book, is filled with human truths and provides the viewer with many insightful and poignant moments. The already fabulous writing, which is truly the foundation of this film, is enhanced to an even greater degree by the exquisite, extremely well-delivered performances and Kasdan's straightforward direction. Hurt is above all excellent as Macon because he is unusually moving as a character who is emotionally detached. Davis, who received a well-deserved Oscar for her supporting role, also shines as the immensely out-of-the-ordinary character of Muriel. The chemistry between Hurt and Davis is, without question, one of the film's many triumphs. Moreover, Kasdan's directing gives the film an assured subtlety, as he paces the movie deliberately and quietly (this is not to say that he directs the film dispassionately, he simply gives the film the appropriate solemn and real-life feel that it calls for). By far one of the best films of 1988, The Accidental Tourist is among the most touching of movies (so touching, in fact, that it might be too personal to those who can relate to its central characters). The well-crafted film, which has a gentle albeit powerful score by the legendary film composer John Williams, is sure to tug at your heartstrings and enlighten the viewer. Telling its audience to not contain their emotions and to feel comfortable in being daring and in making decisions, this is an insightful character study that is definitely worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: This is one of my all time favorite films. Beautiful screenplay, impeccable acting and first rate direction. Marshall Fine is dead wrong. See it for yourself and experience a great American film.
Rating:
Summary: Why is this film not on DVD?
Review: I do not understand why quality films like this one are not on DVD. This film has a great story, subtle and confident acting by all of its principle actors, and a fantastic John Williams score (but aren't they all). Let's go people. Release this gem on DVD... This is a great film.
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Summary: Book Actually Translated Into A Movie
Review: I love Anne Tylers work. They (her books and characters) are quirky to say the least, along with warm and real. I was sure it could not be made into a movie,
and I was very happy to be proven wrong. This movie is a gem...
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