The Accidental Tourist
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Movie Reviews of The Accidental Tourist
Movie Review: It's no accident that this is a great film!
Summary: 5 Stars
At last, "The Accidental Tourist" has been transferred to DVD by Warner Brothers and it's a beauty.The disc is enhanced for anamorphic widescreen TVs. There are no audio choices to make...what you hear is all you get.
However, they've done a superlative job on the picture AND the audio. The audio seems to be coming from the front/middle speakers (is that a mono mix?)while Macon Leary's narratives as "The Accidental Tourist" predominantly comes out of my right speaker (I have a 5-speaker surround setup). The music comes out of the left and right speakers and is spacious. All audio seems to be in perfect balance requiring no adjustments from this viewer.
This is a rich, rewarding movie and its music score by John Williams is a superb example of monothematic scoring (a basic theme that is cast in variations throughout the film).
There are many deleted scenes which really seem to come from a different movie. They would have added at least 30-plus minutes to the film. Characters are introduced, one of whom is referred to in the film (Dominick) and one of whom is mentioned in passing (Alicia, mother of the Learys). Kathleen Turner lost some really good scenes, I think. The deleted scenes give her a softer tone than what we see in the film.
On a scale of one to five, I give this DVD a five. I'm delighted with it and by it. There is a documentary feature called "It's Like Life" that has various of the film's major participants discussing it and their roles. William Hurt, alas, is not among them but he is spoken of glowingly by Davis and Turner. The DVD also has a Geena Davis scene-specific commentary. (This is not an option while watching the film).
Movie Review: All-Star Cast in This 80's Classic Book-To-Film Adaptation
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, this film has everything that you could expect in a Lawrence Kasdan film. I must say that the 80's were good to William Hurt who appeared in many Oscar-nominated films (Broadcast News, Accidental Tourist, Children of a Lesser God, Kiss of the Spider Woman, etc). This quiet film suddenly got the attention of the Academy, and it deserved the attention. The supporting cast is wonderful especially the Leary's household (brothers and sister). Kathleen Turner's small role deserves credit, but it's Geena Davis who really brought out the true emotions of Muriel Prichett. William Hurt's performance is subdued but that's easier said than done. I think it's an art when you don't have to act out every single line from a script. Sometimes, I think that Hurt's actions speak louder than words.
In the DVD extras, you will find this DVD has everything from a plethora of deleted scenes, trailer, and commentary from Geena Davis. The most entertaining of the extras is Geena Davis' commentary. She reveals about how she landed this role and how she prepared for her character. When you listen to her experience about the Oscar nomination announcement and then winning the Oscar, you realize that this is what a true commentary should be. Often times, you get a bunch of actors with directors who goof around and joke about certain scenes and break off into different conversations unrelated to the movie. Finally, we get an honest account of someone's experience in making the film. If only all films could have a commentary which actually focuses on the film, then we don't have to just skip it all together.
Movie Review: Great movie but quite different from the book
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm just writing this review to encourage people to read the book as well, since it's a much deeper, richer, view of Macon and Muriel than you see in the movie.
For example, a theme developed more fully in the book is the theme that Macon is a happier, more functional person with Muriel than he is with Sarah. There are always neighbors and Muriel's family coming in and out of her row house in the book, and they all think Macon is a real softie. He takes care of stuff for them, buys them pizza, is always gentle. Sarah thinks he is cold and withdrawn. While he's with Muriel, Macon starts to see himself as a warm, loving, competent person.
Muriel's portrayal is a bit different in the book, where she is definitely working class, with her spiked heels and dyed hair. I think in the movie she is portrayed almost as a cross between working class and hippie. She is also more competent in the movie. In the book it's clear she is hanging on by her fingernails, working three or four jobs at a time, loving her son but not knowing how to take very good care of him. It takes Macon to get her son to start feeling more confident and able to do things. So while in the movie it seems it is Muriel who is the strong one who coaxes Macon back to life, it's clearer in the book that it is a two way street. And it's Macon's care of Muriel that makes him functional again, as much as her care of him.
So do enjoy the movie, but give the book a try as well.
Movie Review: Anne Tyler books and films are like a bowl of hot soup
Summary: 5 Stars
Anne Tyler is a master of organization of many varied components. When one is in a superstore at checkout and looks at the objects on the conveyor of the person ahead, perhaps with everything from 40 packages of lime jello to a beginner acoustic guitar, one might, in a shopping daze, think about those items and where they are going, such a wide diversity of things, all ending up together. Anne Tyler's characters are like that, different, yet on a journey somewhere where they will reach a compromise, change somewhat, but remain true to themselves, become maybe more accepting of their differences.
This film is one of my all-time favorites. It is one to go to when the world seems cold. It doesn't stray much from the book, and for good reason. The book is one of her best. Some parts of the book and movie are very funny. Much of her humor comes up at moments of perplexity.
The cast could not be better. Some of Tyler's characters invite you to love them because one wonders if anyone else could. Tyler has written nearly 20 books, several have been made into films. Many other reviewers have told about the premise of the movie etc., so I won't go into that. Tyler once again seems to drive home a theme, that we should not give up, no matter how alone or different we may be, compromise a little, try something different, relax some, enjoy the consequence.
Movie Review: Acting, directing and screenplay at it's finest.
Summary: 5 Stars
When I saw this film for the first time, I knew it was something special. It still holds every bit of that value and more so with every viewing of it.
Since then, I have always viewed this film as not only my all-time favorite, but also the defining example of what true art in in film is, for those of us that are not immediately thrilled by the glitz or shock of every Hollywood, and (sadly) even now non-Hollywood films have become.
This is a simple tale. But the acting make it a very deep film. William Hurt is amazing in not speaking so much, but instead using his expressions and emphasis on his words, making this the dialogue of the film, along with a great supporting cast. Everyone in this film is at their best. The direction from a great actor probably has something to do with that, and have seen Malkovich do such great things in his own acting.
This is one of those films that gets better every time you watch it. One expression you may have missed means so much.
I think this is an all-around great movie, but have heard some get bored with it. If you are into character study films, you will love it. If you are into modern Hollywood glitz, action and blockbuster you-know-what-I-mean movies, then you will hate it.
Whenever I am asked what I think is the best movie ever made, I still say this one is the finest example of what it's all about.