A sow's ear from silk purse ingredients

Introduction

This is one of those films that is sold on the basis of the names of 2 lead performers attached to it.

In the second decade of this new millennium, are there 2 bigger box office stars than Depp & Jolie? Not too many that I would care to name. I would argue that they aren't really known as the great actors of the day, but they are the big box office stars, perhaps based largely on their looks... Maybe that's a bit harsh, given that Depp can act and Jolie has won on Oscar, but it's my over-riding feeling about them.



The Tourist tells the story of Frank who is taking a trip to Italy. Along the way he encounters Elise, without realising that there's much more to her than meets the eye. And so they become involved, there's some spy-type action, some incompetent police forces, stunning backdrops, cliche-ridden over the top villain, yada, yada, yada.

Video + Audio

Everything looks and sounds great, but this is a case of beauty being only skin deep.

Extra Features

A reasonably interesting audio commentary by the director is the only extra of note, as the rest is all basically PR fluff about how wonderful everything is.

Conclusion

This film and everyone involved with it seem to think that they've made a classic 1950s/1960s romantic spy thriller starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. But they haven't.



If you want to look at Depp, Jolie or Venice (real and faked), then you could watch this film. There's really no other reason to watch it, as there's no real suspense, no great action, no real romance, and nothing like the film would like to think it has to offer.

Everything looks and sounds lovely, but there's literally nothing underneath.