Review: The Tourist

Going into this movie, I was expecting The Tourist to be a high-speed, action-packed, romantic, espionage, comedy flick. I know that's a mouthful, but sadly, it is almost none of those things.

Angelina Jolie has made a career out of big-ticket, action films such as Wanted, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and the recent Salt; however, this movie lacked that same spark. Jolie is less than great in her performance as  secret agent Elise Ward, who is trying to lead her lover's hitmen off his trail by finding some poor sap who looks just like him. Unfortunately, that poor sap is Wisconsin mathematics professor Frank Tupelo, played by Johnny Depp, who gives the most memorable preformance of the movie as only a dumbed down version of the whacky characters who have made him so famous.

These two talented actors have a unique chemistry together that is fun to watch on screen. This chemistry soon creates some what of a charm that is hard to resist and it is this chemistry that carries the film throughout; however, about half way through, it becomes the only thing holding the movie together as the script, plot, and even character development begin to sag along and the little momentum this film did have begins to die.

"I wanted to see people fight" were the words I overheard from a fellow viewer walking out of the theater. "So did I", I thought to myself as I rewatched the movie from memory. This movie had almost no action: no explosions, no fighting sequences, no overturned boats, nothing. Add this on to the fact that most of the movie is just witty dialouge between the two stars and you get the guy who was snoring a few rows in front of me.

Like I said, this movie is charming and almost irresistable at first. There is subtle humor that earns its chuckles and does add to that charm, especially during the first half. This humor continues through to the end and is enhanced by the supporting cast; however, it is about the only thing that makes it through the film without completely falling apart.

So if you have nothing to do one night once this film hits DVD and you like these two stars, then you will definitely enjoy the first half of this film. Otherwise, you should save your money for the better movies these actors have made.