The Accidental Tourist **** (1988, William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Geena Davis) – Classic Movie Review 9246

Director Lawrence Kasdan’s sweet and moving 1988 film The Accidental Tourist stars William Hurt as successful Baltimore travel guide writer Macon Leary, alone, withdrawn and unhappy after his son is accidentally killed in a robbery and his wife Sarah (Kathleen Turner) leaves him, is brought out of his ice cool state by a zany dog trainer, Muriel (Geena Davis).

Kasdan’s romantic comedy drama is beautifully funny and touching for an hour and a half, and only falls apart in the last half hour when the tale travels to Paris. Even so, this is a smashing film, with excellent acting capped by Davis’s delightful best supporting actress Oscar-winning turn. Her dog should have won too.

The screenplay by Frank Galati and Lawrence Kasdan is based on the novel by Anne Tyler.

Also in the cast are Amy Wright, Bill Pullman, Robert Gorman, David Ogden Stiers, Ed Begley Jr, Bradley Mott, Seth Granger, Paul Williamson and Walter Sparrow.

The director’s son Jake Kasdan, billed as Jacob Kasdan, plays Scott Canfield.

 © Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9246

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