moonspinner55 Review of The Accidental Tourist

The Accidental Tourist (1988)

"That travel-armchair isn't just your logo...it's you."

[7/10 · 4 September 2010]

After a year of silent grief over the loss of their son, an author on the East Coast (who pens travel manuals for business-people) and his mercurial wife of 17 years separate; he gets custody of the family dog, whose need for obedience-training leads the writer to a pert, persistent dog-trainer who apparently teaches men as well as pets. Terrific adaptation of Anne Tyler's book by Frank Galati and producer-director Lawrence Kasdan, both of whom are careful not to let the characters or the eccentric comedy inherent to the story go over the top (as it might threaten to do were this a TV series). William Hurt gives yet another wonderfully precise performance; he mends a broken leg at the family home of his directionless siblings, each of whom of are very funny--though not in an outrageous way. The unconventionality of the family dynamics is touched upon so gingerly, we understand a great deal about these people without exposition. This may be some of the best directing Kasdan has ever done. Oscar-winner Geena Davis is perhaps too forceful in some of her early scenes, and Kasdan's camera appears to be checking out her figure without protagonist Hurt seemingly being aware of it. Still, their relationship, which is far from smooth, is quirky and interesting because Davis cuts right through the bull. She liberates Hurt from his grip on the past but, sadly, the formula-end of the story dictates that we must bring back the estranged wife (a wasted Kathleen Turner) for dramatic purposes. This third act loses its way, which is a shame, yet the writing here doesn't mitigate some marvelous moments and fully-realized portrayals. It's a smart, exceptional treatise on love and starting over, and Hurt proves once again to be a master at his craft. *** from ****