Producers often count on their performers to reel in the patrons. Two of the biggest stars on the planet make their presences felt big time in The Tourist. Story – wise we’re in for a neat game of cat and mouse as a power play develops between the authorities and some not too nice characters. At the head of the hit list for Britain’s venerable Scotland Yard is a renegade crook with a hidden past. All that connects the police to the villain is a beautiful woman called Elise Clifton-Ward. Stylish Angelina Jolie (Changeling) brings her A-game to the table as the svelte and sexy woman who appears to lead the authorities, and just about anyone else in the area, on a wild goose chase. Shades of Inspector Clouseau emerge as the bumbling bureaucrats seem to be always one step behind this master of manipulation.
Johnny Depp Lays Low as a Hapless American caught in the Uitimate Squeeze Play
In order for Elise to make her escape good she cooks up some crazy scheme where she enlists the help of a hapless tourist. Cast in this most unlikely role is Frank Tupelo, a visiting American totally clueless to what he’s stumbled into. Superstar Johnny Depp leaves behind his swashbuckling Jack Sparrow antics to play a mild American Midwesterner caught up in a bitter battle on the Italian Riviera. Still Depp doesn’t leave his waterborne ways that far behind as the canals of Venice are dreamily filled here with an elegant background to die for. Together this unlikely pair do their best to elude the bad guys in this silly yet effective romantic caper that’s shrouded in intrigue and secrecy.
Angelina Jolie Dazzles as a Female Operative with a Host of Hidden Agendas
Top notch director with the long almost unpronounceable name Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck who gave us the terrific award winning The Lives of Others returns to his sleuthing roots with The Tourist. Speaking from a cinematographic viewpoint this is one dazzling film. Set in Venice the shots done in this timeless city are truly breathtaking. Expect there to be a big boom in visits to Italy once this film surfaces as it will make waves. Too bad so many of the action scenes are so ridiculous you can’t believe what’s transpiring. What you will believe is that Angelina Jolie is truly one of the most beautiful women in the world as her clothes, style and way she carries herself will simply mesmerize males and females will too be impressed with her winning ways her. And for the girls Johnny Depp is no slouch either. On screen their “association” is muted and the dialogue here though strained is well acted out by both principals.
Two, count ‘em , two James Bond alumni make appearances in this romp. Timothy Dalton holsters his Licence to Kill as a police inspector with veteran tough guy Steven Berkoff (Octopussy) hamming it up as a killer out for blood. Fair-haired Paul Bettany (Wimbledon) also turns in a good take as another British Bobby on a mission.
Light hearted and entertaining, The Tourist is a film where two big stars leave their egos at home and just turn in a fun time for all.
Robert Waldman - Hi. I'm a film critic from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, considered to be the number one city in the world and third largest film ...
