The Tourist (released in theaters on December 10, 2010) is a sleek, visually opulent thriller that transports the audience to the stunning, romantic backdrops of Paris and Venice. While often criticized for its slower pace, the film excels as a high-concept espionage romance, driven by the star power and undeniable chemistry between its leads, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.
The story begins in Paris, where the mysterious Elise Clifton-Ward (Jolie) is under intense surveillance by Scotland Yard and the ruthless gangster Reginald Shaw (Steven Berkoff), who is owed a colossal amount of money by Elise’s lover, the elusive thief Alexander Pearce.
Pearce is a phantom; no one, including the police, knows what he looks like.
Following instructions from Pearce, Elise boards a train to Venice and deliberately chooses Frank Tupelo (Depp), an American tourist and math teacher, as her cover.
Frank, a man enjoying a quiet European vacation, is instantly thrust into a dangerous web of intrigue, mistaken by both the police, led by Inspector Acheson (Paul Bettany), and Shaw’s henchmen as the infamous Pearce.
As Frank and Elise navigate the canals and grand hotels of Venice, a cat-and-mouse game ensues. Frank is forced to transform from an unassuming tourist into a convincing operative, falling deeper in love with Elise as the tension mounts.
The film cleverly builds the suspense until the final confrontation at a lavish Venetian ball, leading to a major, satisfying plot twist that re-contextualizes everything that came before.
Timothy Dalton and Rufus Sewell round out the cast.
The Tourist is a beautifully shot escapist fantasy that delivers an old-school Hollywood glamour rarely seen in modern thrillers.
Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp in The Tourist (Photo/Columbia Pictures)
Reception for The Tourist
The Tourist grossed $16.5 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office.
The film would gross $278.8 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave The Tourist two out of four stars in his review.
The film received Golden Globes nominations for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Actor (Depp) and Best Actress (Jolie).
Legacy
The greatest asset of The Tourist is its sheer aesthetic excellence.
Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (The Lives of Others) captures the breathtaking beauty of Venice with meticulous care, making the city a character in itself.
The film is a masterclass in costuming and production design, earning it a lasting reputation as a visually magnificent thriller.
While some viewers expected a non-stop action flick, the film’s legacy is better defined by its commitment to glamour and psychological mystery. It’s a tribute to classic, sophisticated European cinema—a movie that prioritizes intrigue, close-ups, and the compelling dynamic between two enigmatic leads. The quiet tension and the ultimate reveal make The Tourist a smart, stylish, and highly rewatchable entry in the modern spy genre.
