I am having a hard time deciding if writing for two of the most beautiful people in the world is extremely easy, or the most difficult thing in Hollywood. One one hand, it really doesn't matter what you write, viewers are just excited to hear the words that come out of their mouth. On the other hand, people are going to be watching the two stars so intently that if you don't write something worth listening to everyone will notice.

In The Tourist it seemed like the writers decided about halfway through the screenplay that they would just give up and let Johnny Depp, and Angelina Jolie's looks take over. The first 50 minutes on the film were entertaining, and actually made you think that it might be a movie worth watching. Then the writers just decided to cash the check and move on to their next film. The second half of this movie falls apart about as quickly as Funny People did.

Johnny Depp's character using Spanish to try and communicate with the Italian being spoke all around him did provide some much needed comedic relief.

My wife pointed out a couple of glaring weaknesses in the film:

#1- The chemistry between Depp and Jolie was non-existent. It felt like they were acting against a green screen and everything was just going to be put together in post production.

#2- Angelina Jolie with a British accent is not good. I don't care how good you look, acting still plays a part in that paycheck you cash.

Watching this movie made me think, at what point in your acting career are you too big to play a normal character? Obviously Johnny Depp has been extremely successful with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Angelina Jolie had success with her Tomb Raider character, but it seemed like in a film like this the other actors are giddy thinking "wow, I'm touching Angelina Jolie's arm!"

Am I crazy or does anyone else see this?


The Tourist
Directed by: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Written by: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, Christopher McQuarrie, Julian Fellowes, and Jérôme Salle
Starring: Angelina Jolie, and Johnny Depp
My Rating: 2 out of 5
Would Gene Pick it?: No