Review of The Tourist (2010) by Joanna B — 01 Mar 2016

Forlorn and attempting to mend a broken heart, American tourist Frank (Johnny Depp) indulges in an impromptu trip to Europe. Quickly finding himself in a highly flirtatious dalliance with an English traveller Elise (Angelina Jolie), Frank's woes seem all but forgotten.

The supposedly coincidental meeting however is actually more an orchestrated encounter on Elise's part. Deliberately crossing Frank's path, Elise attempts to mislead all those pursuing her former lover; a criminal wanted in fourteen countries for stealing from renowned gangster, Ivan Demidov (Steven Berkoff).

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Venice and Paris, Frank's forged whirlwind romance quickly evolves into something more sinister, making him a direct target and thrusting him into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Fraught with controversy; 2007 Academy award winning director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, initially sign on for the project but left due to creative differences only to return once original headlines Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron were replaced by the stunning Angelia Jolie and charismatic Johnny Depp.

Full of intrigue and multilayered manipulations, this elegant, sophisticated and educated Boxing Day thriller is bound to be as beautiful as its setting.

Published: The Queanbeyan Age.

Date of Publication: 19/12/2010.