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Cal (Billy Crudup) is a handsome, hard-drinking guy driving across the country with no particular destination in mind--but this is no romantic road trip. Cal has abandoned his wife and child and is running from a misery he can't even articulate; his encounters with other lonely people in bars and airports only render him more confused, while his inviting good looks routinely get him into trouble. World Traveler delves into the heart of a certain American grief and rootlessness, one that corresponds to the vast open space of the country itself. The movie doesn't explain itself, but the nuanced script and direction by Bart Freundlich (The Myth of Fingerprints) and superb performances by Crudup, Julianne Moore, James LeGros, David Keith, Karen Allen, Mary McCormack, and others make World Traveler completely compelling. A subtle but deeply felt movie, akin to 1970s character portraits like Five Easy Pieces. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Wake Me When It's Over
This has got to be one of the most boring not to mention WORST movies I've ever seen. The only saving grace is that Julianne Moore is in it and I feel embarrased for her. What a terrible waste of talent and her time. Typically, I love road movies but do yourself a favor and pass on this one. The main character is so selfish and loathsome that it makes it impossible to immense yourself in the movie which doesn't matter anyway because the movie itself goes nowhere.

World Traveler is World Class
A painful tale of self discovery where the honesty and brillant cinematography provoke a real sense of discomfort throughout, yet in the exposure of painful sentiments, this viewer was forced to consider much.

A meandering, self-indulgent piece of sh*t.
The title of the review pretty much says it all. View at your own risk.

On the road . . . again
Watching a film like this one, you are reminded of how Hollywood has refined the telling of stories into a kind of shorthand, removing ambiguities and complexities, for quick consumption. Central characters are sympathetic and their behavior understandable in a recognizable plot line and a familiar movie genre. The filmmakers set up easy expectations and then either successfully or unsuccessfully fulfill them.

This film has its conventions. It's a road movie that takes the main character cross country from New York to Oregon, meeting people along the way, each illuminating part of his journey. But it frustrates expectations because it gives us a character who is unsympathetic almost from the first scene and whose behavior is hard to understand and sometimes appalling. His inner conflicts are not spelled out for us. Instead, they are signalled by his agitation and heavy drinking, his strange dreams, and the film's fragmented editing. What accounts for his behavior becomes clearer in the end, but even then, the revelations do not exonerate him.

This is a case where watching the film again with the director's commentary helps you come to terms with a story that departs so far from movie conventions. And you can begin to appreciate some of the creative choices made, from the script all the way through to post-production. After leaving his wife and child, abusing another man's trusting friendship, and drunkenly seducing women he finds in bars, the protagonist ironically meets his match by trying to "help" a woman in distress, whom he discovers is far more distressed than he has bargained for. This failed effort at self-redemption further confounds our interest in him. And so the film goes until the journey reaches its end, old questions are answered, some issues are resolved, and choices are made that may be the right ones for a change.

The film was received less than enthusiastically by critics and audiences when it was released. It may some day gain more of a following and certainly deserves a higher regard. Billy Crudup, once again, shows a remarkable ability to live inside a complex and off-putting character. Julianne Moore (who for once is a director's wife on par with the other talent in the cast) and David Keith are excellent. The cinematograhy alternates shadowy night scenes and claustrophobic interiors with brilliant outdoor scenes and sweeping on-the-road landscapes that grow more striking as the characters move westward. The Willie Nelson songs on the soundtrack introduce an undertone of sweet sadness.

I recommend this film for anyone who likes road movies and stories that depart from convention and require a patience and willingness to accept ambiguities for the clues they reveal about characters' inner lives.

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE
More than sex, food or survival, we are creatures driven to find meaning in our lives (or so it's said by those who claim to know such things). A recent film that taps into that mindset, with varying degrees of success, is now available in a fine digital edition.

Handsome Cal (Billy Crudup) is driving aimlessly across the country in WORLD TRAVELER. He's left his wife and kid and is looking for something else. Something better. Something he can't quite define. Trouble is, he spends so much time drinking and in bars that trouble is his constant companion. This sly film that never explains itself reminds me of Jack Nicholson's rootless wanderings across open landscapes in The Passenger and Five Easy Pieces. Directed by Bart Freundlich (The Myth of Fingerprints) and with affecting performances by Crudup, Julianne Moore, Karen Allen and others, World Traveller is irritating, provocative and open to interpretation. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Creepy - nobody EVER discusses anything REAL ..........
I've watched this movie several times - to see if I missed anything before, just to see it again, because it's mesmerising (for me, anyway), and because I'm secretly hoping that it wasn't really THAT sick ......... the acting, photography, direction were all superb - the message came across so very true to life in every way ........... and because of all that, I often watch it when it's re-run on the tube; Noah Wyle does an excellent job of portaying the son who suffered so pointedly, the betrayal that goes on in this family - and as in all (or most anyway) families - this one is affected via the trickle down of the tone set by the parents - the father - Roy Scheider - isn't just distant; he's downright mean and destructive - blurred from being discerned clearly, because of his eccentricities - although I did feel that he contrived all of those too. And Blythe Danner did an excellent job of portraying the mother who goes on for decades overlooking her husband's cruel streaks, his creepy deceits, his silence, anger, and his tone-setting refusal to tolerate open communication; in spite of all this unpleasantness in the household, and the effect this all has/had on the now grown children - I enjoy this movie because it all "hangs together" so real and true. It's hard to believe that in this day and age, that there surely are families like this - who simply never communicate openly atall - ever!

Excellent acting; interesting but unsatisfying movie
The acting and the beautiful cinemetography carried this movie, gave it its emotional core and made you care about the characters, whom were largely unsympathetic to begin with. The movie was lacking in a plot but was more about a series of cathartic small revelations between each of the characters which didn't reach a Hollywood type climax where everyone made peace with their pasts, but I sort of felt was appropriate in showing that not all dysfunctional families reach such a conclusion. I enjoyed the moments of silence and tension between the characters as it provided a lot of great acting, reminding me of theatre in that respect. I thought Roy was very compelling as the distant father, although I wished they'd attempted explaining why he behaved the way he did. I thought that Noah Wyle was excellent as Warren, he portrayed his hurt, vulnerability and burried resentment at his father so well that his was the most moving and convincing character, his character basically carries the movie. I also thought Julianne Moore was great in her role as the icy (albeit they never explained why she was that way also) sister, she was unlikeable and amusing in that, but interesting to watch. Varten's role was smaller, and less engaging (he was almost unnecessary), but I thought he did a good job with what he had.

If you're a fan of any of the actors, this movie should be worthwhile viewing as the performances are all top notch and the direction is wonderful in places, but I was left feeling something lacking in the overall structure of the film and its writing.

disfunctional Wyle
lots of love making in this one. Wyle gives a great role as the son of a father and their lives arent really great as Wyle comes back after he is gone for awhile. Roy Schider is great too as Wyle's dad. people will note if there Alias fans that Michael Vartan of Alias is in this movie. powerful piece with some dry emotions.

I Know Them
Loved this movie with an all-star cast playing characters who seemed too familiar. Thanksgiving in Maine was the perfect setting for the 4 adult siblings who return home to display the "matured" issues of a very messed-up childhood. Nothing resolved, nothing tied neatly in a bow at the end, just like life. I recognized pieces of me, pieces of my sibling and of course, pieces of my parents - just a little more extreme, but enlightening.

If you want a dysfunctional Thanksgiving Family movie
go with Home for the Holidays instead. I caught Myth of Fingerprints on Lifetime and fell asleep before it ended. Why was I watching? Well, it's the whole car wreck thing. Kooky kid sister was annoying and trying way too hard. But the prize for annoyance is tied between Ms. TMI (too much information), the girlfriend of one of the brothers and the bug up her butt older sister. Ms. TMI likes to announce that she's having sex as often as possible, blah blah "let it all hang out" cakes. She's like one of my mom's cousins who makes me long for old school Irish Catholic repression of my grandparents generation. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

I can't believe this!!
We are now teaching our children how to rob a bank?? What haven't kids learned from the movies?? Who writes this stuff? "I have to rob a bank so my father can have an operation." I've seen silent movies with better plots. Cute kids, nice tech stuff. I bought this for my grandkids but you can bet I won't be giving it to them.

What The Hell is this
Dumb movie, boring movie,dont want to watch it, peaple dont get this movie it sux..

Entertaining
This is a movie that delivers exactly what I expected - a kid's movie. This is a movie the whole family can enjoy. The plot: A young girl (Maddy) finds out her father is dying from an illness that only an experimental operation can cure. When she discovers that the operation cost more than her parents can afford, she makes a bad decision to steal the money from one of her mother's clients.

Maddy makes bad decision after bad decision, but I think in the end she learns from her mistakes; and it is that fact that makes the message of the movie okay by me.

I think this movie had unique characters and a very interesting plot. There were a few bad actors though; the head security guard at the bank building may have turned in the worst performance I have seen in quite a few years.

Kristen Stewart is an amazing actress, and I see her as a young Jodie Foster. She is going to be a huge star! Corbin Bleu and Max Thierot were flawless in their roles as Maddy's best friends.

The critics of this film need to realize that most Americans are sick of the "Kill Bill" and "Lost in Translation" type movies. It seems the more gore or negative-thinking is thrown in to a movie, the more chances it has of being adored by the Hollywood elite. I think it is time to make movies that can rely on substance and acting. This movie is not in the same league as Tombstone or Lord of the Rings, but it definitely delivers everything it claims to deliver in the synopsis!

THAT'S WHY I GAVE IT A 5!

See ya next review!
www.therunninggirl.com

Catch that crap
A bad family movie. It's like Adventures in Babysitting meets The Italian Job. The movie is unrealiable, with bad acting, and a bad message.

Catch a cold instead
If you think your children should be taught to rob from banks and lead the police on dangerous chases involving go-karts to pay your medical bills, then buy this DVD pronto. This uninvolvling thriller sparked only casual interest in my 9-year-old and repulsed me as her father. The plot hinges on adults acting very, very stupid, which I guess can occur, but come on. Give me "Spy Kids" any time. ... Read more