Review: The Tourist

Spyglass Entertainment

If you think this photo looks like something you might see in an advertisement for a travel agency, you're not alone. This entire film might as well be an advertisement for Italy (Venice, primarily). That said, it's rather lovely to watch at times because Angelina Jolie keeps up a track record of always looking "ravenous" (as Johnny Depp's character Frank puts it) against a backdrop of romantic canals, old buildings, and smashing lighting. Now THAT SAID, what else is there?

Not much. For one thing, Depp's character is very bland. Although some may argue that's done on purpose because he's suppose to be this 'normal' guy thrown into the middle of espionage and a case to bring a notorious money-launderer, Alexander Pierce, to justice. So why pick Depp to play a 'normal' person? Because as we all know, Depp never plays a 'normal' person, and seeing him attempt to do so doesn't feel very real. It's not that his acting isn't good, it's just that I wanted to see more from him. And as I said before, Jolie's Elise fulfills her purpose as the gorgeous, mysterious woman (and obvious love-interest for Depp). 

Still, where's the espionage? This is another sad case of misleading advertising. All the trailers made this look like a James Bond-esque tale of foreign-spy thrills and dashing lead characters. However, what you get is a rather slowly paced story with very few and far in-between, tame action scenes. Just think of an old Humphrey Bogart or Cary Grant spy tale that focuses more on the good-looking leads than anything else, and you've got something close to 'The Tourist'. The inspector from Scotland Yard on the case (played by Paul Bettany) and the chief inspector (Timothy Dalton aka 'James Bond') get little attention other than showing them use some high-tech computers and spy stuff. The villain, Reginald Shaw (Steven Barkoff), gets a smattering of explanation but not enough to make him that sinister or truly frightening.

Spyglass Entertainment

In the end, we're left only with Jolie and Depp's developing romance and the final twist at the end that seals the deal can be seen coming a mile off. I guessed it from the very beginning, and therefore, it became one of those 'twists' you dreaded because you knew when it happened, you'd be disappointed it did end up being that. So even though going the route of an old-fashioned espionage story isn't a bad idea, it didn't come across as strong as it could've. 

I would've liked to see it be a bit more Bond-ish and with more development of the bad guy and more action. Because as appealing as it may be to see Depp and Jolie together, it doesn't hold up the rest of the movie. But if you're completely obsessed with the two actors and especially with European scenery, then maybe you'll like it more than I did.