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World Traveler Movie Review Summary

Actors: Billy Crudup, Julianne Moore, Cleavant Derricks, Francie Swift, James LeGros

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of World Traveler


On his son Leo's third birthday, architect Cal is overcome by a restless dissatisfaction with his life. Without so much as a note to his wife Joanie, he drives out of New York City and heads west. Dreams haunt him. In one, his luggage is switched for handcuffs as he glimpses his family. In another, he sidesteps his son on a beach as if he doesn't exist. Fantasy blurs into reality as he encounters new people and situations. He tells half-truths about who he is. He imagines sending a little globe on a key chain to Leo, but actually just carries it with him. He phones home, only to hang up without a word. Passing planes and trains catch his interest. He drinks too much and flirts openly.
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Cal settles into a construction job until a new co-worker's wife lambastes him for his lascivious, sexist influence on her husband. Moving on, he picks up a flirtatious young hitchhiker evading a problem of her own; but abandons her at an aiport in Minneapolis when he is sidetracked by an old high school acquaintance named Jack. Jack's friendliness dissolves into bitterness at Cal's unchanged thoughtlessness, selfishness, and promiscuity. He bets Cal hasn't done "one good thing" since he last saw him.

Cal picks up Duclie, a woman claiming to be on the run from the law for trying to get back her son from her estranged husband and his unscrupulous lawyer. Cal quells his urge to bolt from her problems, urging himself to do "one good thing." But she shocks him by proving to be even more delusional than he is. He flees to his father in Oregon - a man he has not seen for 22 years. Questioning Dad's lifestyle and reasons for leaving, he comes to see himself in a clearer light. In a moment of solitude by the ocean, he seems to rise and float above all the people he has encountered on his travels. He heads out again, this time with a clear destination in mind.   
The review of this Movie prepared by vjm



Script Analysis of World Traveler

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of movie:    -   2000's+ (present) Inner struggle or disability    -   Yes Struggle with    -   midlife crisis

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White American

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Northeast    -   Midwest    -   Pacific NW City?    -   Yes City:    -   New York

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   no torture/death Sex/nudity in movie?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only    -   kissing Any profanity?    -   Some foul language

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