Rating: 
Summary: Nice Adaption of a Gorgeous Book
Review: I read Anne Tyler's novel in grad school and was touched by the humor and pathos she presented. The movie, which has three fine leading performances, tries its best to capture that spirit, and succeeds somewhat. But the ending of Kasdan's film is beautiful. The scene where Hurt shouts to a young boy in Paris to halt a cab for him to take to the airport after leaving his wife of 18 years (Kathleen Turner) to go back to the woman who has brought him back to life (Gina Davis) is heartbreaking. Hurt can't stop staring at the boy as the cab rolls by, as he clearly reminds him of his own son who died in a shooting. He runs into Davis down the street hailing her own cab. Give the film a chance and let it win you over. The novel is better. But the movie is a close second.
Rating: 
Summary: A Moving Story of Life
Review: William Hurt is absolutely brilliant as a man insulated from his own life in Lawrence Kasden's undervalued masterwork. Hurt's son has been killed in a random act of violence he can not understand. It will cost him his marriage to Kathleen Turner, as he is unable to comfort her, accepting evil in the world and isolating himself from love in an effort to shield himself from pain. Hurt writes a series of books for the "accidental tourist" and Bill Pullman gives fine support as his understanding editor and friend. Hurt's family is a little strange and in spite of the serious subject matter Kasden has sprinkled this film with some very funny true to life moments, including an hysterical bit about cooking a Thanksgiving turkey at the right temperature, or not! Geena Davis, as the free spirit who attempts to aleve Hurt's anguish, won a well deserved Oscar for the effort. Her little boy, sweet and allergic to everything, is a reminder of his own son. This prompts him to accept a brief, unsuccessful, reconciliation with Turner which may cost him everything. The supporting cast and the understated score add to this wonderful and heartrending account of one mans' angst, and his attempt to start living again. The scene in a doorway where he expresses his inability to be like other people is tremendously touching. Her kindness and personal generosity finally begin to wear down the walls and he may just be able to love again, if it is not to late. This is a richly rewarding film for those willing to take the time and I highly recommend it. It is a testament to our own humanity, the human spirit, and the healing power of love...
Rating:
Summary: A Reasonably Contemporary Classic
Review: I use this film and the Anne Tyler novel in my eleventh-grade English classes, and for the most part, the kids love both. I find that William Hurt captures perfectly Tyler's quirky, ritualistic Macon Leary, and Geena Davis is a delight as the outrageously scattered Muriel Pritchett. I'm not a Kathleen Turner fan, but she's good here.
Rating: 
Summary: I Could've Had A V8!
Review: "Dour," "laconic," and "dull" are the three finest words I can think of to describe THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST. Geena Davis provides the film's only moments of interest as Kathleen Turner and William Hurt -- parents dealing with the aftermath of losing a child -- are sadly reduced to one-dimensional portraits of adult angst. The camera wants to spend time of the spritely Ms. Davis, whereas any believable film pacing grinds to a halt when she's away. Notable for Lawrence Kasdan's participation, THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST is one trip worth avoiding.
Rating:
Summary: Well done with very few accidents
Review: "The Accidental Tourist" tries to accomplish something that not many movies attempt to do at the risk of failure. Instead of having a soundtrack in the background, there is...well, except for a few instrumentals, nothing. The director seems to be aiming to show the viewer how much silence can attribute to a picture. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work. The movie was TOO quiet and sullen without sappy love ballads to die it together. The picture also seems vague and dark, creating a feeling of despair that the characters themselves feel. Had these two flaws not been in here, the movie would've been practically perfect. The movie starts off with Sarah[Kathleen Turner], a mother whose 12-year-old son was murdered over a year ago, telling her husband Macon[William Hurt] that she wants a divorce. This, of course, leaves Macon totally distraught-not only are his wife and son gone, his dog Edward is distraught himself over the loss of his companion. As Macon leaves Edward at a pet shop, he comes across the owner and doesn't know quite what to think. If first impressions count, Macon and viewer will both be puzzled at their first glimpses of Muriel[Geena Davis]. She is certainly unique[her wardrobe will tell you that], but she has got to be one of the heartwarming women on the planet. Macon tries to dismiss her after he takes Edward back, but Muriel and Edward know differently. Muriel persists by calling him to check up on Edward, but also to check on Macon too. Finally, Edward is the cause of Macon breaking his leg, and Muriel is called on to train Edward. With her kind characteristics and gentle manner, she wins Edward over with ease [I can still hear her clucking, her trademark for training]. Now all she has to do is win over Macon, who is living with his sister among other family members. This takes time, but somehow Macon is visiting Muriel regularly at her apartment, and after a night together in her apartment, which is a love scene at its best [don't worry, it's not because of nudity or anything around that], they live together. Muriel also has a tiny, sickly son, Alexander, and Macon begins to bond with him as well. But Macon and Muriel's relationship is still awkward; Muriel can't feel totally safe with him, and Macon still has a longing for Sarah. Muriel is afraid she'll love him and lose him, and this kills her. She begs him, "Don't leave me Macon" when he travels. The picture gets very complicated, however, when Sarah decides that maybe she was wrong to leave Macon, and the debate reaches its peak. By the end of the movie, Macon is in Paris, and both women are there as well. Don't worry, there is no emotional showdown between the almost ex-wife and the girlfriend, but Macon is about ready to jump off his balcony when, finally, he reaches a conclusion. As I said earlier, the mood for the film is dark and gloomy to fit Macon's mood. It's too bad it didn't work, but it's not enough to totally bring down the movie. Kathleen Turner shows the emotions needed to play Sarah, but as she isn't in the movie a whole lot, her character doesn't really have a whole lot of tiem to develop. I did not, however care for William Hurt in the movie. I don't know, I just could see other actors in this role doing it better. His character was unsure, yes, but he came as mostly unsympathetic to Muriel, and you can't really tell his true feelings. He was a bit too cold, I thought, which added to the gloom. But, I will still recommend this film with two words in mind: Geena Davis. If anything, see this film for her performance, which is so real and genuine. She plays Muriel to absolute perfection, as she portrays her emotional cords[becoming, in one scene, extremely frusterated with Macon because she can't understand gim], her sensitive side[holding Macon as he grieves over his son and then gently guiding him to bed], and her somewhat wacky side[belting, and I mean BELTING out a song while washing the dishes. Davis is actually not to be ashamed of her singing, she's better than most actors!] There is no doubt in my mind that she deserved her Oscar, it was well-won. Not only do I like Geena Davis as an actress, I really enjoyed watching the character Muriel, who was unusual, a rebel, but nevertheless determined and hopeful. Why can't the world be populated with more people like her?
Rating:
Summary: uplifting and funny - without using artificial sweetners!
Review: Geena Davis plays Muriel Pritchard, an expert in all things concerning canine behavior. Muriel is also a single mother ...she has a grand smile to match her grand, optimistic approach to life!! (if you've ever been moved witnessing the strength, courage and dedication of a single mother, then you'll find yourself admiring Muriel Pritchard!) One day, Muriel meets a placid man named Macon (or Macon meets Muriel ,depending on how you look at it) ... The interaction between the two is extremely funny! I didn't read the book thus I can't compare this to it but I'm sure glad Geena Davis won an Oscar for her fine job as Muriel! well deserved! Good going Geena! William Hurt is not on my favorite actors list but he was splendid as Macon.
Rating: 
Summary: Cute movie - nice comedy
Review: Cute and funny, nice entertainment. For nearly all audience. One keeps a nice memory of the film.
Rating:
Summary: ZZZ...
Review: That is what I did in the theatre when I saw this movie. This movie is so thouroughly boring it makes Mr. Rogers look like Rambo. I hated this movie then and I hate it now, probably worse. My english teacher recommended that I see this and I can say now 13 years later NEVER go see any movie recommended by an english teacher. This movie is so psychotically confusing youll find youself repaeatedly going to the bathroom when you dont have to just to get some fresh air. Dont buy it-dont rent it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the top five movies of all time
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Weltschmertz Even Goethe Would Love
Review: Not only does quirky Geena ferry William back from the Isle of Dead Marriages and Dead Children, but William's reaction to the symbolically floating boy at the movie's end brings tears to these old eyes. The movie's moral: There is no system that allows one to avoid the pain of death and its cousin, loneliness.
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