The Tourist: Movie Review

"The Tourist" intrigues us because it has staked itself to be a thriller and yet, it was recently nominated for three Golden Globes. Each one was linked for it being a musical or comedy (Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress for a Musical or Comedy). Adding to the intrigue are the stars in this movie, who are only just two of the biggest names Hollywood has to offer. Will "The Tourist" be a successful thriller with an unconventional zing? Read on to find out what we think after the jump.

Elise Clifton-Ward (Angelina Jolie) receives a letter from her former lover, Alexander Pearce with instructions that she needs to board a train going to Venice at a specific time and date and choose a man who somewhat resembles him. Alexander is in fact in hiding - from the Interpol for massive tax evasion and from an Englishman for whom he stole $2.3 billion. As Elise boards the train, she sits beside an American math teacher, Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp), out for a vacation in Venice. Elise and Frank instantly jive. When both arrive at Venice, Elise invites Frank over to her hotel room and both spend time together. When Elise inadvertently kisses Frank, the Englishman thinks that Frank is Alexander Pearce and wants to capture him to get his money back.

"The Tourist" is a beautiful film, the shots of Venice were just spectacular but you cannot judge a movie by aesthetics alone. "The Tourist" in fact is a puzzling film - minus all the flash and glamor is a storyline that's unbelievable, stupendous and downright silly. The action was typical fare and the chemistry between Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie seems lacking. We can't blame them because the movie just never gives them the chance to have a deep and meaningful relationship. It seems as though it wants to be a thriller but it also wants to be something else. We can say that "The Tourist" was pretty shallow and yet, ironically, we find ourselves somewhat enjoying it. Even with its shortcomings, we still find this not-your-typical thriller film a fun ride from start to the end credits. Oh and yeah, Angelina Jolie was just stunning.

Rating: 3 reels






Why you should watch it:
- this is not your conventional thriller film and we like it
- let's just say it will make you guess who is who from start to finish

Why you shouldn't watch it:
- a shallow film with a pretty weird storyline
- it seems as though "The Tourist" is confused with what it really wants to be