The Accidental Tourist (1995, VHS)

This is an excellent movie that depicts a couple's continuing struggle with the death of thier little boy. Each of them has been dealing (or not dealing) with thier feelings of loss in a different way and this has resulted in thier growing further apart from each other physically and emotionally. Sara (Kathleen Turner) finally decides to call it quits and requests a divorce. Macon, who has a particularly difficult time with change and emotional discomfort continues to isolate himself and bury his feelings until he meets a quirky and unconventional dog groomer, named Muriel (Geena Davis). Throughout the story Macon, who authors a guidebook for homesick business travelers (called the Accidental Tourist), is working on his newest revision. The focus of his book is how to travel to foreign places and still feel like you have never left home. The entries in his book become metaphors for his own life and how he himself is afraid to move out of his comfort zone. This movie moves at a slow and sometimes monotonous pace. I don't think it necessarily has a beginning and ending point- rather it is like reading several chapters in the life of Macon. Even so, I felt very fulfilled at the end of the film, as there is some resolution for Macon and the possibility he will be able to start a new chapter in his life.