The Touristis a 2010 Americanromanticthrillerfilm co-written and directed byFlorian Henckel von Donnersmarckand starringAngelina Jolie,Johnny Depp,Paul Bettany,andTimothy Dalton.It is a remake of the 2005 French filmAnthony Zimmer.GK Filmsfinanced and produced the film, withSony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitionsreleasing it in most countries throughColumbia Pictures.[3]The $100 million budget film went on to gross $278.3 million at the worldwide box office.[2]
| The Tourist | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | Anthony Zimmer byJérôme Salle |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | John Seale |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | James Newton Howard |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $100 million[1] |
| Box office | $278.3 million[2] |
Despite negative reception from the critics, the film was nominated for threeGolden Globes,with a debate arising over the question as to whether it was a comedy or a drama. Henckel von Donnersmarck repeatedly stated it was neither genre, calling it "a travel romance with thriller elements," but that if he had to choose between the two, he would choose comedy.[4]
Plot
editA British woman, Elise Clifton-Ward, is being followed through downtownParisby French police who are working withScotland Yardunder the direction of Inspector John Acheson. Acheson has spent years hunting Alexander Pearce, Elise's lover, who owes £744 million in back taxes, and is believed to have used plastic surgery to alter his appearance. He is also being hunted by Reginald Shaw, a mobster from whom Pearce stole $2.3 billion. At a Parisian café, Elise receives written instructions from Pearce: board the train toVenice,Italy;pick out a man; and let the police believe that he is Pearce. Elise burns the note, evades the police, and boards the train.
On the train, Elise selects Frank Tupelo, a mathematics teacher from a community college inWisconsin.Acheson salvages information about the plan from the remains of the burned note. Aware of her location, but not of the ruse, a policeman on Shaw's payroll alerts Shaw that Pearce is on the train to Venice with Elise. Shaw immediately proceeds to Venice.
In Venice, Elise invites Frank to stay with her at theHotel Danieli,where she receives instructions from Pearce to attend a ball. She abandons Frank, who is then chased by Shaw's men. While trying to escape, he is detained by the Italian police, and a corrupt inspector attempts to turn him over to Shaw's men for a bounty. Elise rescues Frank just before he is handed over, leading Shaw's men on an extended boat chase before finally escaping. She leaves Frank at the airport with his passport and money, urging him to go home for his own safety.
Elise goes to see Acheson, who has come to Venice, and is revealed to be an undercover Scotland Yard agent who was under suspension for her suspected sympathies with Pearce. She agrees to participate in a sting operation to bring Pearce to justice. As she tries to find Pearce at the ball, a man places an envelope on her table and disappears into the crowd. She tries to follow him, but is stopped by Frank, who claims to be in love with her and invites her to dance. The police arrive and take Frank into protective custody. Elise reads the note and leaves in her boat, tailed by Shaw and the police.
When Elise gets to the house to which Pearce's note directed her, Shaw takes her hostage, threatening to harm her unless she reveals the location of a hidden safe where Pearce is keeping the stolen money. The police monitor the situation from outside, and Acheson repeatedly refuses to allow Italian police snipers to intervene to rescue Elise. While the police are distracted monitoring the situation, Frank escapes and confronts Shaw, claiming to be Pearce and offering to open the safe if Elise is allowed to leave. Shaw tells Frank to open the safe or he will have Elise tortured. Chief Inspector Jones arrives at the police stake-out, overrides Acheson, and orders the snipers to fire, killing Shaw and his men. Then, to Elise's obvious pleasure, Jones lifts her suspension and fires her.
Acheson receives a message that Pearce has been found nearby, but, on arrival, he learns the police have detained an Englishman who says he is only a tourist being paid to follow instructions and is not Pearce. Elise tells Frank that she loves him, but she also loves Pearce. Frank opens the safe by entering the correct code, revealing that he was Alexander Pearce all along. When the police come back and open the safe with explosives, they find a check for £744 million. Acheson wants to keep pursuing Pearce, but, since the taxes are now paid, Jones closes the case. Pearce and Elise sail away together.
Cast
edit- Angelina Jolieas Elise Clifton-Ward
- Johnny Deppas Frank Tupelo/Alexander Pearce
- Paul Bettanyas Inspector John Acheson
- Timothy Daltonas Chief Inspector Jones
- Steven Berkoffas Reginald Shaw
- Rufus Sewellas The Englishman/Lawrence Mason
- Christian De Sicaas Colonel Lombardi
- Alessio Bonias Sergeant Cerato
- Daniele Peccias Lieutenant Narduzzi
- Giovanni Guidelli as Lieutenant Tommassini
- Raoul Bovaas Conte Filippo Gaggia
- Bruno Wolkowitchas Captain Courson
- Mhamed Arezkias Achmed Tchebali
- Marc Ruchmannas Brigadier Kaiser
- Julien Baumgartner as Brigadier Ricuort
- François Vincentelli as Brigadier Marion
- Nino Frassicaas Brigadier Mele
- Igor Jijikineas Virginsky
- Neri Marcorèas Alessio, the hotel concierge
- Renato Scarpaas Arturo, a tailor
- Maurizio Casagrandeas Guido, a waiter
- Giovanni Espositoas Coppa, an interpreter
Production
editThe project went through a number of directorial and cast changes. Originally,Lasse Hallströmwas set to direct, withCharlize Theronto play the female lead. After Hallström left, allegedly over scheduling conflicts,Bharat Nalluricame on board, and thenTom Cruisewas announced to play the male lead, though he was later replaced bySam Worthington.WhenAngelina Jolieaccepted her role, so did directorFlorian Henckel von Donnersmarck,but he, along with Worthington subsequently left, citing "creative differences". After many other directors were considered, includingAlfonso Cuarón,Henckel von Donnersmarck returned, re-wrote the script in two weeks, and shot the film in 58 days (including 2nd unit days), withJohnny Deppas the male lead.[citation needed]
Filming began inPariswith Jolie on February 23, 2010,[5]before moving toVenice,where Depp joined the production on March 1. French Minister of CultureFrédéric Mitterrandvisited Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck on set whenThe Touristwas filming inPlace Colette.[6]
Henckel von Donnersmarck was assisted by stunt coordinatorSimon Crane,who devised the boat action sequence. In the DVD director's commentary, Henckel von Donnersmarck recounts that the film's one action sequence was devised by Crane to allow for the speed limitations imposed on boats in Venice. This speed limit was strictly enforced by the Venetian authorities, and there was a policeman on set at all times to make sure no wave movement caused the pillars on which the palazzi are built to be exposed to oxygen. Henckel von Donnersmarck and Crane felt that if one boat was towing the other, this could perhaps be a realistic reason for a slow speed chase.[citation needed]
The whole film was made in only a little over 11 months, counting from the day Henckel von Donnersmarck came on board to re-write and direct to the day of the premiere in New York. It had to be shot so quickly because Depp had to leave for Hawaii to start filming the fourth film of thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise. The reason post-production had to happen so quickly was because all commercially interesting release dates in 2011 were reserved for the potential start ofPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Themes
editJanus symbolism
edit
The film repeatedly uses symbolism revolving around the Roman godJanus.[7][8]In particular:
- At a dinner in Venice, Frank asks Elise about her bracelet, and she replies:
It's the Roman god, Janus. My mother gave it to me when I was little. She wanted to teach me that people have two sides. A good side, a bad side. A past, a future. And that we must accept both in someone we love.
- The safe in Pearce's apartment is hidden behind a Janus-relief.[9]
- It is revealed that Alexander Pearce has obtained a new face with the help of plastic surgery.
Dostoyevsky references
edit
The film's Russian gangsters Virginsky (Igor Jijikine), Lebyadkin (Vladimir Orlov), Liputin (Vladimir Tevlovski), Fedka (Alec Utgoff), and Shigalyov (Mark Zak) all carry names fromFyodor Dostoyevsky's 1873political novelDemons.First-credited screenwriter and director Donnersmarck has talked of his childhood obsession with the Russian writer,[10][11]and the Dostoyevskian theme of corrupt police and government resonates throughout the film.[12][13]
Reception
editCritical reception
editOnRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 21% based on 175 reviews, and an average rating of 4.4/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "The scenery and the stars are undeniably beautiful, but they can't make up forThe Tourist's slow, muddled plot, or the lack of chemistry between Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. "[14]OnMetacritic,the film has a weighted average score of 37 out of 100 based on 37 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[15]Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.[16]
Roger Ebertgave the film 2 out of 4 stars, saying "There's a way to make a movie likeThe Tourist,but Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck doesn't find that way. "[17]Peter Travers ofRolling Stonegave the film 0 out of 4 stars, and put the film on his list of the top 10 worst films of 2010.[18][19]
However, the film received good reviews in the German press,[20][21]andStephanie Zacharek,a Rotten Tomatoes Top Critic, listed the film as one of her "10 Best Movies of 2010." She called it "a visually sensuous picture made with tender attention to detail and an elegant, understated sense of humor".[22]
Casey Burchby ofDVD Talkacknowledged that the movie was "beautifully shot by the accomplished Oscar-winner John Seale," but said that the "hastily-prepared film does not care one iota about its characters."[23]
Cultural reception
editAt the2011 Golden Globe Awards,Ricky Gervaismade fun of the film while he was presenting. After this, in a scripted, fictional encounter on the showLife's Too Short,which was written by Gervais andStephen Merchant,Johnny Depp reminded Gervais that the film was very successful, grossing $278 million, which was a dig aimed at Gervais, whose only two Hollywood films (Ghost TownandThe Invention of Lying) had grossed $27 million and $32 million, respectively.[24][25]
Awards
editThe film was nominated for threeGolden Globe Awards:Best Musical or Comedy, Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Depp), and Best Actress – Musical or Comedy (Jolie).[26][27]The fact that a film originally promoted as aromantic thrillerwas nominated in the comedy category garnered the film and the Golden Globes considerable mockery. It was later revealed that the film was originally submitted by the studio as a drama, but Henckel von Donnersmarck then told the HFPA that it should be categorized as a comedy. HFPA President Phil Berk said, "Given the differing opinions, we asked the studio to screen the film for us in advance, and collectively, we decided that the elements of preposterous fun lent the film more to a comedy than a straight drama category."[28]
| Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | Award | Category | Name | Outcome |
| 68th Golden Globe Awards[26] | Golden Globe Award | Best Picture: Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
| Best Actor: Musical or Comedy | Johnny Depp | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress: Musical or Comedy | Angelina Jolie | Nominated | ||
| 2011 Teen Choice Awards | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie: Action | Nominated | |
| Choice Movie: Actor Action | Johnny Depp | Won | ||
| Choice Movie: Actress Action | Angelina Jolie | Won | ||
| 2011 ASCAP Awards | Top Box Office Films | James Newton Howard | Won | |
Soundtrack
edit| The Tourist | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack albumby | |
| Released | 2010 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Label | Varèse Sarabande |
The soundtrack CD ofThe Touristwas released on December 21, 2010.[29]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tracking Elise" | James Newton Howard | 1:29 |
| 2. | "Burned Letter" | James Newton Howard | 2:21 |
| 3. | "Paranoid Math Teacher" | James Newton Howard | 3:31 |
| 4. | "Arrival At Venice" | James Newton Howard | 3:06 |
| 5. | "Elise Offers A Ride" | James Newton Howard | 1:52 |
| 6. | "A Very Nice Kiss" | James Newton Howard | 2:04 |
| 7. | "Bedroom Dreams" | James Newton Howard | 2:58 |
| 8. | "Piecing It Together" | James Newton Howard | 3:11 |
| 9. | "Rooftop Run" | James Newton Howard | 5:18 |
| 10. | "Chase Through The Canals" | James Newton Howard | 5:45 |
| 11. | "Because I Kissed You" | James Newton Howard | 3:34 |
| 12. | "A Very Nice Hotel" | James Newton Howard | 2:27 |
| 13. | "Arriving At The Ball" | James Newton Howard | 2:04 |
| 14. | "Your Choice In Men" | James Newton Howard | 2:04 |
| 15. | "Sudden Departure" | James Newton Howard | 2:03 |
| 16. | "The Infinite Price" | James Newton Howard | 7:30 |
| 17. | "The Janus Safe" | James Newton Howard | 3:01 |
| 18. | "Rain Of Bullets" | James Newton Howard | 1:29 |
| 19. | "Aftermath" | James Newton Howard | 0:52 |
| 20. | "Elise & Alexander" | James Newton Howard | 2:41 |
| 21. | "Personal Cheque" | James Newton Howard | 1:57 |
| 22. | "Dance In F" | Gabriel Yared | 2:42 |
| 23. | "Starlight" | Muse | 4:06 |
| 24. | "No Fear of Heights" | Katie Melua | 2:59 |
References
edit- ^Fritz, Ben (December 9, 2010)."Movie Projector: New 'Narnia' looks solid, 'Tourist' will struggle as Christmas movie season begins".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 9,2010.
- ^ab"The Tourist (2010)".Box Office Mojo.March 10, 2011.RetrievedJuly 6,2011.
- ^Fleming, Mike (October 28, 2009)."King Coins" The Tourist "at Col".Variety.Archived fromthe originalon January 4, 2010.
- ^Tim Appelo,Globe Comedy Nom for 'The Tourist': Now, That's Funny,The Hollywood Reporter,December 14, 2010, accessed February 2, 2011.
- ^"See Brad and Angelina's Bosnia Date Night Before His Parents Arrived in Venice!".PopSugar. April 14, 2010.RetrievedOctober 8,2010.
- ^"Frédéric Mitterrand se rend sur le tournage de" The tourist "de Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck".February 23, 2010.
- ^"Review: The Tourist".NewCityFilm.Newcity Communications, Inc. December 10, 2010.RetrievedJuly 30,2013.
- ^Paul Asay (2011)."The Tourist: Video Review".PluggedIn.Focus on the Family.RetrievedJuly 30,2013.
- ^Dieter Wunderlich."The Tourist (movie review)".DieterWunderlich.de.Dieter Wunderlich.RetrievedJuly 30,2013.
- ^"La vida de los otros (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck)".TheQuietMan.org.RetrievedJuly 30,2013.
- ^Annette Maria Rupprecht (October 29, 2006)."The Lives of Others: Interview - Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (A Man of Stature)".Cineuropa.org.Cineuropa.RetrievedJuly 30,2013.
- ^Roe, Ivan (1972).The breath of corruption; an interpretation of Dostoievsky.PG3328 Z6 R55: Kennikat Press.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location (link) - ^Cooke, Paul (2013)."The Lives of Others" and Contemporary German Film: A Companion.DE GRUYTER. pp. 221–240.ISBN9783110268102.
- ^"The Tourist (2010)".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^"The Tourist".Metacritic.RetrievedAugust 27,2013.
- ^"CinemaScore".cinemascore.
- ^The Tourist:: rogerebert:: Reviews.Chicago Sun-Times.Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^Peter Travers (December 9, 2010)."The Tourist | Rolling Stone Movies | Movie Reviews".Rollingstone.RetrievedApril 30,2011.
- ^"1. The Tourist".Rolling Stone.RetrievedApril 22,2011.
- ^"Was treiben Angelina Jolie & Johnny Depp in Venedig?".Bild.RetrievedAugust 26,2013.
- ^Höbel, Wolfgang (December 14, 2010)."Donnersmarck-Film" The Tourist ": Putzig mit Popo".Der Spiegel.Spiegel.RetrievedAugust 26,2013.
- ^"Stephanie Zacharek's 10 Best Movies of 2010".Movieline. Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2011.RetrievedApril 30,2011.
- ^"The Tourist: DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video".Dvdtalk.RetrievedApril 30,2011.
- ^"Ghost Town (2008) - Box Office Mojo".boxofficemojo.RetrievedMarch 12,2016.
- ^"The Invention of Lying (2009) - Box Office Mojo".boxofficemojo.RetrievedMarch 12,2016.
- ^ab"The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards NOMINATIONS | OFFICIAL WEBSITE of the HFPA and the GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS".Goldenglobes.org. December 14, 2010.RetrievedApril 30,2011.
- ^"HFPA - Nominations and Winners 2010".RetrievedDecember 22,2010.
- ^Tim Appelo,'Tourist' as Comedy Was the Director's Idea.
- ^Monger, James Christopher."The Tourist (soundtrack review)".AllMusic.RetrievedAugust 30,2014.
External links
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