The Tourist

Well that was boring. I'm sorry if I gave away the reveal of this review too early, but I'm afraid there isn't a whole lot else to say about this disappointing excuse for a thriller. Spy movies can be formulaic and still work, but at least some level of originality is required. It really doesn't matter whether that originality grows out of an interesting character study, a twisty-turny plot full of unseen surprises, or inventive and well choreographed action set pieces. Preferably it includes all of the above, but I'm not greedy. A movie can be full of cliches and well worn plot points if it provides the viewer with something new. Unfortunately, and despite a great deal of talent, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's new star vehicle, The Tourist, had none of the above.

The film opens with the femme fatale, Elise, leading Interpol on a wild goose chase. The police suspect her of attempting to reunite with her old flame, who also happens to be an international criminal. However, we are aware that while that is exactly what she is trying to do, Elise has also chosen a fall guy as a distraction to delay the police. The unsuspecting sap Frank falls in love with Elise (of course), and follows her through a hail of bullets and rooftop chases to an easily predictable ending. Brutal gangsters, relentless police officers, a beautiful woman, a crafty criminal, and an average Joe are all thrown together without much in the way of logic or character development.

The most surprising thing is the enormous amount of talent involved. Von Donnersmarck made his directorial feature film debut with the 2006 The Lives of Others and has been justly praised for it. Along with a bevy of critically acclaimed co-writers (including Christopher McQuarrie of The Usual Suspects), von Donnersmarck constructed a script that contained little of interest, and even less that was fresh or new.

Rufus Sewell watches Angelina Jolie in The Tourist

The elegant Elise is played by Angelina Jolie, who appears almost as if made of porcelain in this movie. Jolie never overacts, and tries her best, but seems to be as bored as I was throughout most of the film. The American "tourist" Frank, is played by Johnny Depp in a very reserved manner. Depp as well, never really seems to be sure of what von Donnersmarck is trying to do, and as a result gives an inconsistent and mostly irritating performance. As a huge fan of both Depp and Jolie, it was frustrating to watch these two talented actors get by on reputation alone. Paul Bettany fulfills the obligatory role of the British policeman attempting to track Jolie, and he does so in uninteresting fashion.

While this is an overwhelmingly negative review, I will mention a couple of positives here. The canals of Venice are gorgeous and von Donnersmarck does provide numerous beautiful scenery shots. Timothy Dalton, as the police supervisor, and Steven Berkoff as the lead gangster both do well in limited roles. The film opens well actually. Jolie eludes the police in a scene reminiscent of The French Connection, and the initial meeting between Jolie and Depp's characters is charming and intriguing. Of course, then as the plot progresses, we realize it actually has nowhere to go.

14/30