I’m a great fan of caper movies. Give me a plot with a lot of twists and turns, a bunch of red herrings, witty dialogue and credible disguises, and I’m happy as a kid with a new electric train. I can excuse plot flaws, acting flaws and things like that. Throw in a beautiful woman and I’m in love.
For all those reasons, and the bonus for the presence of Angelina Jolie, I had a good time at “The Tourist,” which opened yesterday. It’s a remake of “Anthony Zimmer,” a 2005 French film, which I also liked.
Jolie plays a woman of mystery, often with the faintest hint of a smile flickering around her mouth, and the fact that as she ages, she is reminding me of Sophia Loren, which certainly is even more high praise. She is costumed beautifully, and she often is seen walking away, while passers-by join the audience in staring.
Johnny Depp, a consummate comic actor, adds to the charm, as does the city of Venice, which provides beauty as well as geography to give us motor boat chases instead of the car chases that often fill movies like this. Lots of water thrown around, but Jolie remains as dry as a fine Bordeaux. Starting in Paris, we’re in a chase for a criminal named Alexander Pierce, who stole a lot of money. He’s a big-enough crook that we finally have a chance to properly use the term “criminal-justice,” because both Scotland Yard and a gang of Russian crooks are after him. The French police are cooperating with the English, but the ghost of Inspector Clouseau hangs over both.
Jolie is instructed to go to Venice, and her instructions tell her to find a man on the train to keep company with, and to act–partially, anyway–as if they’re married. It will come as no surprise to discover that there’s a empty seat next to Frank Tupelo (Depp), an American math teacher, and they enjoy the beauties of the French countryside from the TGV train.
In Venice, the plot thickens and we all have a lot fun before the secrets are out and we find out who’s who. Looking back, there are several moments when smart moviegoers can figure out the plot twist, but they will not be revealed here. The movie is fun, the direction by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (his real name) is fast-paced and lively.
The Tourist opened at several theaters.
—Joe
Comments
One response
Glad to read your review. My wife wants to see Johnny Depp and now I know we will both enjoy the movie.