
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
The Out-of-Towners
By Brian Costello,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sex talk and slapstick violence in screwball comedy remake.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Out-of-Towners
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Henry (Steve Martin) and Nancy Clark (Goldie Hawn) are at a crossroads. Their son has just left their Ohio home, and they are now officially "empty nesters." Henry has just lost his job in advertising and hasn't informed Nancy. Together, they fly to New York City, where Henry has a promising job interview. But then their flight is rerouted to Boston, and that's just the beginning of their troubles. The navigation system of their rental car sends them crashing into fish. They're mugged by a man who claims to be Andrew Lloyd Weber. And their one remaining credit card has been maxed out by their daughter, so they can't check into their hotel managed by an obsequious yet merciless Englishman (John Cleese). And it doesn't get much better. Through one comedic misadventure after the next, Henry and Nancy must rely on their wits and determination to survive everything New York City is throwing at them and figure out a way to get Henry to the job interview in one piece.
Is It Any Good?
Considering the vast talent involved in this movie, it's surprising that this remake of THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS isn't better than it is. It's entertaining, but it doesn't quite add up to a satisfying whole. For starters, there's a surprising lack of chemistry between Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn, and this is magnified by the urbane (if a bit dated) wit of Neil Simon's dialogue not feeling authentic coming out of their mouths. Even with John Cleese playing a somewhat tweaked version of Basil Fawlty, there still aren't as many laughs as there should be.
This formulaic film follows a familiar-enough screwball comedy-of-errors pattern that has been done better in many other movies. It isn't a bad movie so much as it's disappointing, especially for those who are fans of Simon, Martin, and Hawn.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about remakes. What would be the challenges of remaking a movie that was originally written in 1970 and setting it in contemporary times?
What are some of the different styles of humor employed in this movie?
Why do you think the "mid-life crisis" is a recurring theme in so many movies?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 22, 1999
- On DVD or streaming: September 21, 1999
- Cast: Steve Martin , Goldie Hawn , John Cleese
- Director: Sam Weisman
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Adventures
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: Some sex and drug-related humor.
- Last updated: April 27, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate