Sometimes I like to check out a new movie without knowing much about it. Such was the case with me and
The Tourist. I only knew the basics: that it was a spy film and that it had Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, and Italy - where I've always wanted to visit.
From the reviews I've read so far, they are not calling this a classic, but I am. Some don't like the story (despite it being written by the Oscar winning writer of The Usual Suspects) and some have likened it to old romantic thrillers films from decades past. Roger Ebert
in his review said the movie had a few clich
és. I don't fault it for that; it's still fun to watch. The old-fashioned spy romance feel was what I loved about it. Others have criticized Depp's character as a bit of a timid traveler. Well, he may be at first but he redeems himself eventually. He just playing another slightly odd and misunderstood character that he's famous for, so don't think of Cary Grant in
North by Northwest. And the scenery of Venice is really beautiful. I recommend this film if you love to travel or love watching movies about traveling, or if you are fan of either Depp's or Angelina's. I don't think you will be disappointed.
There's a couple of violent parts but they come from the baddies who you're not supposed to like anyway. The fella that plays one of the main gangsters looked really familiar. When I looked him up I realized it was Steven Berkoff who was in alot of 80s movies like
Rambo II and
Beverly Hills Cop and
Octopussy. Speaking of Bond, Timothy Dalton is in it too. It's a light film, comical at times, and there's some good chase scenes in it. It's not like
Salt if you've seen that one. I liked this one better (though I loved
Salt too) So if you are looking to escape the winter blues, I recommend
The Tourist at your local cinema.
Peter has written a good review of this movie at Armchair Audience.
