The Tourist

The Tourist, starring Johnny Depp as American tourist Frank Tupelo and Angelina Jolie as the sensational Elise Crawford, is billed as a romantic drama with promise for action only to be rivaled by Daniel Craig in the next James Bond installation. Unfortunately the only way The Tourist and James Bond will ever be compared again will involve a J.J. Abrams – written alternate universe in which Mr. Bond prefers apple-tinis.
The Tourist takes on an adventure beginning in Paris and quickly travelling to Venice. What it lacks in spy vs. villain action/drama, it attempts to make up in the pouty lips and piercing eyes from Jolie as she looks over her shoulder. Too bad this movie wasn’t made as a follow up to her role in Original Sin (2001) when her appeal was much stronger.
The forced chemistry between Depp and Jolie is obviously shown in the blank faced expressions displayed by Depp in almost every interaction between the two. Depp’s character, who is attempting to heal a broken heart, only shows emotion while professing his innocence to an Italian detective who’s outlook on attempted murder spawned the only chuckle of the movie.
The Tourist is average at best and probably sums up the 2010 (and growing) trend of over-hyping and under-delivering films. It’s more chick flick than a James Bond undercard and would serve as a good movie night rental in a few months.