This unique Sci-Fi thriller begins with an incredibly typical setting. Ben Wilson (Jeff Daniels) is a single father with a dark secret. His daughter, Hillary (Ariana Richards), loves her father and refuses to listen to the gossip of the townsfolk. They live together in an early 1900s boarding house they’re renovating into a bed and breakfast. It seems this is a last-ditch effort by Ben to keep his finances and what remains of his family together.
Struggling to get the proper permits and supplies, a strange visitor appears in his soon-to-be bed and breakfast one day. She says that the view of the town is spectacular and that she must rent the entire building so she and some others may witness ‘the spectacle.’ The people who move in to stay are bizarre, but the wads of cash offered by the strange woman make up for their behavior. That is until the spectacle they wanted to see destroys the town. Will the secret the strangers hold allow Ben to save the town, or is a terrible fate inevitable?
The Grand Tour is an overlooked film of the Sci-Fi golden age. Jeff Daniels brings one of his best performances to the film, creating unique nightmare and ‘talking to myself’ time travel scenes. Those who love 80s and 90s films will love The Grand Tour’s classic production, musical score, and physical effects.
The movie brings together a lot of different genres in a unique way: It is a family movie, a disaster movie, and a time travel movie rolled into one. The time travel elements are the most impressive, and—without spoiling too much—I can say they are unique among time travel stories. Those looking for a sci-fi thriller with simple but plentiful elements will want to see The Grand Tour. Consider adding this film to your Sci-Fi library shelves. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
The Grand Tour belongs alongside other Sci-Fi action thrillers such as Terminator and I, Robot.
What type of film series could use this title?
Any collection or series of time travel movies wouldn’t be complete without The Grand Tour.