Overview
A travel writer's life takes unexpected turns as he navigates love and loss.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- wistful
- witty
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a thoughtful, emotionally perceptive relationship drama distinguished by its humane treatment of flawed characters, understated humor, and strong performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Macon sleepwalks through life after his son's death and writes deliberately impersonal travel guides.
Muriel and her energetic, socially awkward presence draw Macon back toward ordinary emotional engagement.
Macon must weigh reconciliation with Sarah against his new relationship with Muriel.
Travel routines, domestic life, family interactions, and dog-training scenes externalize Macon's restrained inner life.
Films like The Accidental Tourist, and why
Kramer vs. Kramer
quiet relationship drama balancing grief, emotional restraint, and understated humor
The Bridges of Madison County
literary romantic drama centered on marriage, separation, and difficult emotional choices
Truly, Madly, Deeply
warm, gently comic character study about grief, companionship, and unconventional romance
Movie Details
- Director
- Lawrence Kasdan
- Release Date
- 1988-12-23
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (267)
Cast
- William Hurt
- Kathleen Turner
- Geena Davis
- Amy Wright
- David Ogden Stiers
- Ed Begley Jr.
- Bill Pullman
- Robert Hy Gorman
- Bradley Mott
- Seth Granger
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Accidental Tourist about?
- A bereaved travel writer is jolted out of emotional numbness when an exuberant dog trainer complicates his fragile marriage and carefully ordered life.
- What is The Accidental Tourist like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Accidental Tourist as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Accidental Tourist violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Accidental Tourist.
- What did critics think of The Accidental Tourist?
- Critics broadly found the film a thoughtful, emotionally perceptive relationship drama distinguished by its humane treatment of flawed characters, understated humor, and strong performances.
- Which films are like The Accidental Tourist?
- Films with a similar feel include Kramer vs. Kramer, The Bridges of Madison County, and Truly, Madly, Deeply.
- How long is The Accidental Tourist?
- The Accidental Tourist runs 121 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Accidental Tourist?
- In United States, The Accidental Tourist is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
