The Tourist

"The Tourist" is very similar to some of the Hollywood escapist fair of the 1950's and early 1960's with the likes of Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. In several films during this era, Grant played an American in European exotic locales dealing with espionage in relatively light-hearted plots. The classic films of this ilk which come to mind are "To Catch a Thief", "Charade", even "Roman Holiday", taking place in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Paris, and Rome. In "The Tourist", Depp plays a Cary Grant-like character and Angelina Jolie has the long dark hair of Audrey Hepburn with the demureness of Grace Kelly. The action begins in Paris then moves to Venice.

The best thing about the film is the opening. The viewer is plopped right into the middle of things without any background or knowledge. A demure mystery woman (Jolie) arrives at a café in Paris near the Champs-Elysees and orders her usual, which we learn is already being prepared. She's a regular. A mysterious note is given to her and provides detailed instructions concerning exact steps she's supposed to take right after leaving the café. While she is reading the note, we learn she is being staked out by government officials. Part of the instruction says "...pick someone with my height and build and make them believe it is me..." She burns the note and makes her way to the central train terminal in Paris.

Part of the fun of the story is that we don't know who wrote the note, and part of the mystery-fantasy is a gradual revelation regarding who the unknown letter-writer is. (The voice-over for the note is Jolie, which is somewhat confusing at first, because the writer is male.) On a train to Venice, she meets a clueless American tourist from Wisconsin, Frank, played by Johnny Depp. Depp (who doesn't exactly seem like a clueless tourist from Wisconsin) acts flattered that a woman who just walked out of Vogue Magazine would sit by him on the train. And so begins a rather fun, if somewhat improbable, misadventure. Depp appears to be someone "with my height and build". Two factions are on the trail on the unknown "letter-writer": Scotland Yard authorities who believe he has not paid back taxes on a transaction worth several billion British pounds, and an international mob run by an older baddie who would kill not only a man who cheats on his wife, but he'll kill his wife too, and all the members of both families. He would even kill the man's doctor, just for good measure. The mob boss lost billions to the mystery man who was once a trusted part of his organization. Part of the plot is the tried-and-true "mistaken identity" device in which the authorities and the mob appear to be confusing the clueless tourist with the unseen letter-writer. Everyone is sure the man they want is Depp.

A fun fantasy which combines elements of romantic-comedy and international espionage. There are a couple of obligatory chase scenes and even a romantic interlude or two, with the compulsory ballroom and casino scenes. What makes it work are the fine performances by Depp and Jolie. The ending is pretty interesting, but there are aspects during the film which don't quite mesh with the information presented previously. But if you're willing to suspend your disbelief and let your imagination run wild, "The Tourist" is a fun treat, sort of like a nice bowl of vanilla ice cream. French vanilla of course on Viennese China.

Marketted the wrong way because it was sold as a spy thriller, which it is not, because it is just a lovely charming spy COMEDY. Probably better suited for a female or family audience then for men, because of it's elegant nature and female fashionability. Not an action comedy, it's more a charming romantic spy comedy. Quite elegant. A nice bit of entertainment for everyone above 12 years old.

James Bond pictures used to be this funny and charming in the sixties and seventies. But since James Bond has become way too serious nowadays and Johnny English with Rowan Atkinson is a bit too silly, "The Tourist" is the perfectly balanced spy comedy.The story is about Angelina Jolie who plays a ravishing looking secret agent who is in search of an infamous criminal. Johnny Depp plays the hilariouslu funny role of an innocent dorky bystander who accidentally gets involved in this spy game. Great story with many surprising twists and turns.

Lovely charming and funny acting by Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. If you are a fan of one these 2 actors this is definitely a must see. I have seen it many times already and I love the frivolous charming nature of this spy comedy. From time to time I just long for some quality lighthearted entertainment and "The Tourist" fits the bill exactly for those wishes... Definitely feel good, with some budding romance, a bit of suspense and great jokes. Really charming!

Nothing more, nothing less. It's an anachronism, the type of escapist movie that Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn made in the late fifties and early sixties. It's supposed to have a silly twist at the end, all neatly tied with a bow.

I just couldn't work up the anger and outrage that many reviewers have churned up about it. OK, so who would have guessed that Johnny Depp would be weirder playing someone normal rather than his usual weirdo roles? And who would really believe that Angelina Jolie would fall for an unassuming American math teacher?

No one. That's why it's fun, folks. Just roll with it, taking in all the wonderful Venice scenery while you're at it. Seriously, this is an elegant film from beginning to end and it doesn't matter that it's more than a little preposterous.

It's an escape, a European fantasy. Just laugh and enjoy it.

Highly enjoyable - ignore the bad reviews. I can see why this was nominated as best comedy category - it's a fun thriller a la Hitchcock but less on the thriller side and more on the comedy side.

The scenery is stunning. It has a very on location feel. From the train travel to Venice - it's delightful.

The casting is great from the other worldly Angelina Jolie to the supporting cast Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton, Raoul Bova etc. Depp is suited to the role. His acting is understated and fits in well to the plot. The costumes that Angelina wears throughout are elegant in an old fashioned way. She looks quite thin though.

Some critics have said the plot is muddled but I didn't find this the case at all. It's all quite satisfying and easy to understand. Compared to the other new jigsaw puzzle movies this is really quite straight forward.

One of the most pleasing movies of the year.

Revolves around Frank (Johnny Depp), an American tourist visiting Italy to mend a broken heart. Elise (Angelina Jolie) is an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path.

I entered this film expecting it to be a pile of horse apples. I actually sort of liked it... sexy, intriguing, a bit of action and comedy. By no means is this a movie of the year or anything, but it is a fun film and the kind that might make a good date movie.

I ma not the sort to kiss Depp's butt. He is a great actor, but he is not flawless. Yet, here, I think he was really expressing a range I do not often see from him anymore. A ladies man who is shy and nervous, the Depp of "Edward Scissorhands"... back before he was the international superstar. I liked what I saw here.