The Accidental Tourist

Movie Review by Peggy Sugarman

Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Screenplay: Frank Galati and Lawrence Kasdan
Based on the novel by Anne Tyler
Starring:
Macon: William Hurt
Sarah: Kathleen Turner
Muriel: Geena Davis
Rose: Amy Wright
Porter: David Ogden Stiers
Charles: Ed Begley Jr.
Julian: Bill Pullman

Run time: 121 minutes

If you haven’t seen this one, or if it’s been more than 10 years, I’d highly recommend that you rent it soon. The combination of William Hurt, Kathleen Turner (gives me goosebumps just seeing them together again after Body Heat) and Geena Davis is something to savor. And savor again.

William Hurt plays the role of Macon Leary, a travel book writer who writes for those who hate to travel: the business traveler who would rather be at home as opposed to the chair-back traveler who dreams of far-off and distant places. How to pack (only one gray suit, please), the necessity of porting a large book to deter strangers from engaging you in tiresome conversation on the plane, and where to find American food in the cities of the world. Traveling in opposition, as it were.

It doesn’t take long to see that Macon is a deeply depressed individual. We find that he has lost his only son to a senseless murderer, driving him deeper into himself. He presents as totally inaccessible. His wife Sarah (Kathleen Turner, who retains heat no matter what she does) eventually decides to separate from him. His wooden exterior cannot be penetrated, and his pain, while visible to the viewer, is kept below the surface.

He is left with his son’s dog, Edward, whose grief is more honestly portrayed: he bites strangers. Macon discovers some hope for Edward when he meets Muriel Pritchett at the kennel where he must board Edward. Muriel (Geena Davis) is instantly interested in Macon and finds ways to weasel her way into his life – first by offering to train Edward, then by continually asking him to come to her house. Her wacky, off-beat personality at first puts Macon off. He is used to the more refined beauty and manners of Sarah. But Muriel isn’t deterred by his refusals. When Macon finally finds his way to her apartment, he feels out-of-place. At least, at first.

Muriel, for all her lack of money and education, recognizes a man in need of understanding. It’s hard, though, to determine just whether it is Macon that she is attracted to or whether she is looking for a father for her young son. Macon’s brother Porter (aptly played by David Ogden Stiers) condescendingly refers to her as “that Muriel person, whose people must be overjoyed . . . ”. Macon dryly observes that he isn’t such a good catch, in case you haven’t noticed. His writings underscore his depression. Or is it the other way around?

The movie is sad, painful and humorous all at the same time. Macon’s family, two brothers and a sister, is a compulsive, routine-driven group who continue to live in the house where they grew up. Rose (Amy Wright) has been taking care of “the boys” for so long that she can’t imagine another life until Macon’s editor, Julian (Bill Pullman), begins to show an interest in her. There is a Thanksgiving scene where she cooks a turkey at such a low temperature that the “boys” announce to the small group of guests that they had better avoid it. Rose, in tears as she climbs the stairs, say in an accusatory tone “You just don’t want Julian to fall in love with me.” Julian, who was invited to dinner, stares after her and then bravely takes two helpings. “Julian ate my turkey and he didn’t get sick.” Rose observes tenderly.

These relationships all have their own quirks and all are masterfully portrayed. Muriel pursues Macon with a desperation that is sad and endearing. We end up rooting for her, and hoping Macon can break out of his stupor and move on with his life.

Does any of this resound with you? Is it time to move on and begin afresh?

Something to think about.

Peggy Sugarman has spent 25 years working in California's workers' compensation system, having served 8 years as the Chief Deputy Director of the state's regulatory agency. She holds a Master's degree in Counseling and is currently consulting for the California Applicants' Attorneys Associa-tion -- an organization of attorneys who represent workers and fights for legislation to help workers who are injured on the job. She occasionally writes for on-line publications and is working on her first novel. She and her husband and two daughters reside in Oakland, California.

You can email Peggy with movies you’d like to see reviewed at Psugarman@earthlink.net