The Accidental Tourist
After the death of his son, travel writer Macon Leary seems to be sleep walking through life. Macon's wife is having similar problems. They separate, and Macon meets a strange, outgoing woman who brings him 'back down to earth', but his wife soon thinks their marriage is still worth another try.
The film earned $32.6M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Accidental Tourist (1988) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Lawrence Kasdan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Macon and Sarah return home from a trip in tense silence, establishing Macon's emotionally withdrawn state following their son's death. Their sterile, controlled existence is marked by avoidance and suppressed grief.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Sarah leaves Macon, moving out and asking for a divorce. The fragile equilibrium of his controlled, emotionless life is shattered, forcing him into even deeper isolation.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Macon takes his unruly dog Edward to obedience training at the Meow-Bow kennel, where he meets Muriel Pritchett. He chooses to engage with her quirky, intrusive energy rather than retreat, opening a door to a new world., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Macon chooses Sarah and his old life, abandoning Muriel. He returns to his marriage and his systems, seemingly killing the possibility of growth and genuine feeling. Muriel is devastated; Macon retreats into emotional death., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Macon leaves Sarah at the Paris hotel and goes to find Muriel. He sheds his systems and control, literally running through the streets with his injured back acting up, choosing emotional risk and authentic connection over comfortable numbness., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Accidental Tourist's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Accidental Tourist against these established plot points, we can identify how Lawrence Kasdan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Accidental Tourist within the comedy genre.
Lawrence Kasdan's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Lawrence Kasdan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Accidental Tourist takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lawrence Kasdan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Lawrence Kasdan analyses, see Grand Canyon, Body Heat and Silverado.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Macon and Sarah return home from a trip in tense silence, establishing Macon's emotionally withdrawn state following their son's death. Their sterile, controlled existence is marked by avoidance and suppressed grief.
Theme
Sarah tells Macon, "We just can't go on living this way" before leaving him. The theme: to survive loss, one must risk feeling again rather than retreating into systems and control.
Worldbuilding
Macon's isolated world is revealed: his guidebooks for reluctant travelers, his mechanical routines, his eccentric family system. He lives in routines to avoid feeling the pain of his son's murder and the emptiness of his marriage.
Disruption
Sarah leaves Macon, moving out and asking for a divorce. The fragile equilibrium of his controlled, emotionless life is shattered, forcing him into even deeper isolation.
Resistance
Macon retreats further into his systems, injures himself doing laundry in his bizarre fashion, and moves back to his childhood home with his equally eccentric siblings. He resists change and connection at every turn.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Macon takes his unruly dog Edward to obedience training at the Meow-Bow kennel, where he meets Muriel Pritchett. He chooses to engage with her quirky, intrusive energy rather than retreat, opening a door to a new world.
Premise
Macon tentatively enters Muriel's chaotic world: her ramshackle house, her sick son Alexander, her unfiltered emotions. He begins to thaw, teaching Alexander, joining their makeshift family, and allowing himself small moments of connection and even joy.
Opposition
Sarah returns wanting reconciliation, forcing Macon to choose between his old life and the new. His family disapproves of Muriel. Macon wavers, unable to fully commit, and his indecision hurts everyone. The pressure builds as both worlds demand a choice.
Collapse
Macon chooses Sarah and his old life, abandoning Muriel. He returns to his marriage and his systems, seemingly killing the possibility of growth and genuine feeling. Muriel is devastated; Macon retreats into emotional death.
Crisis
Macon goes to Paris with Sarah, attempting to resume his old life, but the systems no longer work. He realizes he's still dead inside with Sarah, and that Muriel taught him how to feel again. His dark night is recognizing he chose wrong.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Macon leaves Sarah at the Paris hotel and goes to find Muriel. He sheds his systems and control, literally running through the streets with his injured back acting up, choosing emotional risk and authentic connection over comfortable numbness.