You remember the hype. It was 2010, and the two biggest movie stars on the planet were finally sharing a screen. The Tourist, that slick, sun-drenched johnny depp angelina jolie movie, promised to be the next North by Northwest. Instead, critics basically tried to bury it alive.
But here’s the thing: it didn’t die.
Even now, people are still discovering this weirdly charming, often misunderstood flick on streaming. Was it a masterpiece? Probably not. Was it the "disaster" the trades claimed? Not even close. If you look at the numbers, it actually made a killing.
The Mystery of the $278 Million "Flop"
There’s this persistent myth that The Tourist was a box office bomb. Honestly, it’s kinda hilarious how wrong that is. The film had a massive $100 million budget, which is a lot of money to bet on a romantic thriller.
When it opened in the U.S. to a lukewarm $16 million, the vultures started circling. People love a "downfall" narrative, especially when it involves icons like Depp and Jolie.
But then the international box office happened.
Global audiences didn't care about the snarky American reviews. They wanted to see two beautiful people in Venice. The movie ended up raking in $278 million worldwide. That’s nearly three times its production budget. In the world of Hollywood accounting, that’s a win.
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Why the Critics Went Nuclear
So why the hate? A lot of it came down to expectations. People wanted Mr. & Mrs. Smith levels of adrenaline or Pirates of the Caribbean zaniness. Instead, they got a slow-burn, Hitchcockian caper where Johnny Depp plays a "math teacher" from Wisconsin who vapes and wears pajamas.
Critics like Peter Travers gave it zero stars. They called it "muddled" and "slow." But maybe they just missed the point.
Behind the Scenes: A Production Mess?
If you think the plot of this johnny depp angelina jolie movie was twisty, the story of how it got made is even crazier. It’s actually a remake of a 2005 French film called Anthony Zimmer.
Getting it to the finish line was a nightmare:
- Director Musical Chairs: Before Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck took over, the project went through several directors, including Lasse Hallström and Bharat Nalluri.
- The Casting Swap: Believe it or not, Johnny Depp wasn't the first choice. Tom Cruise was originally attached. Then it was Sam Worthington.
- The Leading Lady: Charlize Theron was the first Elise. When she dropped out, Angelina Jolie stepped in, and the whole vibe of the movie shifted toward "old Hollywood glamour."
It’s a miracle the movie feels as cohesive as it does given that the script was being tinkered with by everyone from Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) to Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible).
That Infamous Golden Globes Drama
We can't talk about The Tourist without mentioning the 2011 Golden Globes. This is where the movie became a bit of a punchline.
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The Hollywood Foreign Press Association nominated it for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Wait, what?
The movie was marketed as a serious romantic thriller. Even Johnny Depp seemed confused. During a legendary bit on the show Life's Too Short, Ricky Gervais roasted the film to Depp's face. Depp's "comeback" was pointing out that the movie made $278 million. He wasn't wrong.
The nominations for Best Actor (Depp) and Best Actress (Jolie) in the comedy category felt like a blatant attempt by the HFPA to get the two stars to show up at the ceremony. It worked, but it definitely hurt the film's "serious" reputation.
Venice as a Character (and the Reality Check)
One thing everyone agrees on? The movie looks stunning. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Italy, this film is basically a two-hour tourism brochure.
They filmed at some iconic spots:
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- Hotel Danieli: In the movie, Frank and Elise stay here. In reality, the "balcony view" of the Rialto Bridge is fake—you can't actually see the bridge from that hotel.
- Palazzo Pisani Moretta: Most of the "hotel" interiors were actually filmed here.
- Scuola Grande della Misericordia: This was the backdrop for that lavish gala dance.
Watching Depp run across those terracotta rooftops in Venice is still one of the most visually pleasing sequences in modern action-romance. Even if his "running style" was intentionally clunky to fit his "average guy" character, the cinematography by Oscar-winner John Seale is top-tier.
The Twist Ending (Spoilers!)
The biggest gripe most people have is the ending. Frank, the dorky tourist, turns out to be Alexander Pearce—the master criminal everyone was hunting—all along. He just had plastic surgery.
Is it believable? Sorta.
Is it fun? Absolutely.
It recontextualizes every interaction between Depp and Jolie. When she tells him he's "too much of a gentleman," she’s actually talking to the man she loves, not the stranger she met on a train.
Actionable Tips for Revisiting The Tourist
If you're planning to rewatch this johnny depp angelina jolie movie, or seeing it for the first time, go in with the right mindset.
- Don't expect John Wick. It’s a "cozy thriller." It’s meant to be watched with a glass of wine on a rainy Tuesday.
- Watch the background. The production design is incredible. Look at the textures of the walls in Venice and the tailoring of Jolie's wardrobe (designed by Colleen Atwood).
- Check out the original. If you want to see a grittier version, track down Anthony Zimmer. It's shorter and has a much darker tone.
- Look for the cameos. Rufus Sewell and Timothy Dalton are chewing scenery in the best way possible.
The Tourist isn't a life-changing piece of cinema. It’s a beautifully wrapped gift of a movie that doesn't ask too much of you. It’s stars being stars in a city that looks like a painting. Sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
To get the most out of the experience, try watching it back-to-back with Mr. & Mrs. Smith or The Ninth Gate to see just how much Depp and Jolie were playing against their typical "action hero" or "creepy weirdo" types. It makes the "boring" teacher performance from Depp a lot more impressive in hindsight.