The Daytrippers (1997)

When a suburban housewife, Eliza (Hope Davis), discovers a love letter in her husband's pocket, it starts a wild, quirky, and ultimately poignant journey through the strained relationships of her entire dysfunctional family. Thinking it must be some misunderstanding, she brings the letter to her unbearably dominating mother (Anne Meara), who freaks and piles her passive husband (Pat McNamara), Eliza's promiscuous sister (Parker Posey), and her philosophical fiancé (Liev Schreiber) into a station wagon and heads off to New York City for an explanation. First-time writer/director Gregg Mottola changes the road movie's typically vast and open landscape to a claustrophobic, bustling urban setting but still uses it as a way to force out unspoken emotional turmoil between all three of the couples. His dialogue is often sharp and perceptive, and while the situations often contain huge laughs, an undercurrent of pain lurks just beneath the humor. The indie film uses conversations instead of plot to drive its action, and therefore needs engaging performances to succeed. With the exception of the one-note Posey, it gets them: Davis and Schreiber both play pathos and humor beautifully, and Stanley Tucci's cameo as the suspect husband--and the heartbreaking rooftop dance he performs--provides a surprising and ambiguous conclusion. --Dave McCoy Amazon.com

Does Anyone Know Why This Film Is Out Of Print?

Does anyone know why "The Daytrippers" is out of print, and whether it will again become available on DVD?

Intelligent film fans who haven't yet seen this movie are being cheated! April 10, 2006

Just a suggestion

It's clear that the vhs and dvds are long out of print and difficult or expesive to find. I got an international (multi-region)dvd player a couple years ago, and it's payed off. This movie is much easier to find in the region 2 format. Same movie, same features, can't play on regular north american dvd players. People who like this movie are likely to seek out hard to find movies, you might be surprised at what you can find from different counties. Of course, in five years all these hard to find movies may become available through new on-demand cable or whatever.

I loved this movie, saw it when it was in theaters, then watched a copy I taped off cable. Now I have a dvd. It's become a traditional day-after-Thanksgiving movie for me (that's when the movie takes place). Definitely a molasses paced character drama/comedy. Not for everyone. February 19, 2006

Funny, interesting and unpredictable family journey

This is a movie about family dynamics, humor, an interesting journey and an unexpected ending. It is a view into the life of some ordinary people that end up in extraordinary circumstances concerning their love lives and sexuality.

The plot revolves around a surprise visit to see the Hope Davis character's husband at work. When he's not there, Hope, her sister, her friend and their parents set off on a journey around Manhattan to locate him. This alluring journey takes them to a stranger's apartment, a possible girlfriend's abode, a couple parties and a stunning conclusion that turns their world upside down. All the while this inventive entanglement is filled with unexpected fun.

There are a lot of movies out there like this one. "The Opposite of Sex", a journey romantic comedy with a starrier cast, is one such movie. I don't think any of the flicks I've seen in recent months including "Opposite of Sex" quite equal the invention and merriment quotient of this one.

In part, bravura performances by Hope Davis, Anne Meara, Pat McNamara, Parker Posey and Liev Schreiber draw the viewer into the world of this family and the expose' of its dysfunction. Also, the direction, script and the process by which discovery is unveiled attribute to the success formula.

This isn't the last word in filmmaking and it suffers from the most useless cliche of New York movies -- the chief subject is in the book publishing business. Why are so many New York movies built around this platitude? Aren't there otehr industries in that city worthy of mention in film? There is no more parochial subject in East Coast moviemaking than this.

Still, because of the values cited above, this film is a notch above other family dysfunction flicks. Rent this some night when you are bored. You'll find this movie brings out feelings you weren't expecting and gives you pause to think, "Could these things happen to me?" May 5, 2005

What a Good Trip!

"The Daytippers" is a hilarious romp through the life of a tight-knit family. Cheating, coupledom, and sexuality are the name of the game here, and they all make for such a funny and heart-felt story. Highly reccomended if you like humour that puts the character at the pit of their emotions!!! Go see this now! February 6, 2005

A Collection Classic

Viewers expecting raucous laughs, and slapstick humor will be terribly disappointed with this film. The Daytrippers' humor lies in the nuances of the realistic characters, the subtly sarcastic dialogue, and the film's overall quiet resolve despite the ridiculous situation presented. Lovers of "Seinfeld" (like myself) will watch this movie again and again... January 20, 2004

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