You remember the hype back in 2010. It was basically the biggest casting coup in Hollywood history. Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, the two most magnetic humans on the planet, sharing a screen for the first time. The location? Venice. The vibe? Hitchcockian mystery mixed with high-fashion gloss. Honestly, on paper, The Tourist should have been the movie of the decade.
But then it actually came out.
Critics were... well, they weren't kind. Some called it a "turkey," others were baffled by the pacing, and the Golden Globes practically started a riot by nominating it as a comedy. Yet, here we are over fifteen years later, and people are still obsessed with it. It pops up on streaming top-ten lists every other month. Why? Because Angelina Jolie in The Tourist wasn't just a performance; it was a vibe that hasn't really been replicated since.
What People Get Wrong About the Plot
Most people remember the movie as a generic spy thriller, but it's actually a remake of a 2005 French film called Anthony Zimmer. The setup is pretty simple, or at least it feels that way at first. Jolie plays Elise Clifton-Ward, a woman under constant surveillance by Scotland Yard because she’s the lover of a massive white-collar criminal named Alexander Pearce.
Pearce has stolen billions, had a bunch of plastic surgery to change his face, and is now MIA. He sends Elise a note: find a guy on a train who looks like me and make everyone think he's me.
Enter Frank Tupelo.
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Johnny Depp plays Frank as this dorky, vaping math teacher from Wisconsin. He’s the "tourist." He’s the decoy. He gets pulled into this world of Russian mobsters and Interpol agents while wearing pajamas and jumping off Venetian roofs. The twist at the end—which I won’t spoil if you’re one of the three people who hasn't seen it—is either genius or totally preposterous depending on who you ask.
The Chemistry Crisis (Or Was It?)
There’s been a lot of talk about whether Jolie and Depp actually liked each other. At the time, the tabloids were desperate for a "Brangelina" style scandal, but the reality was much more professional. Johnny Depp later called her a "walking poem," which is a pretty high-tier compliment.
Some viewers felt the chemistry was "zilch." They argued that both actors were so beautiful they basically canceled each other out. It’s a real theory! Sometimes, when you put two absolute deities in the same frame, the screen just sort of shorts out.
But if you re-watch it now, the lack of "fire" actually makes sense for the characters. Elise is supposed to be this icy, untouchable mystery woman. Frank is supposed to be a guy who can’t believe a woman like that is even talking to him. The distance between them is the whole point of the first two acts.
The Real Star: That Wardrobe
If we're being honest, the reason The Tourist still lives in the cultural consciousness is the fashion. Costume designer Colleen Atwood—who is basically a legend—didn't just dress Jolie; she curated a lifestyle.
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Elise Ward wears twelve outfits in the movie, and every single one is a masterclass in "quiet luxury" before that was even a TikTok trend.
- The Cream Silk Sheath: The opening look in Paris with the mocha wrap.
- The Black Ball Gown: A silk tulle masterpiece paired with an antique diamond choker that was actually made from a real old tiara.
- The Ferragamos: Jolie actually wore her own Ferragamo stilettos to the first fitting, and Atwood loved them so much they named the style the "Elise" shoe.
The clothes were inspired by 1950s Hitchcock heroines. It was a deliberate move to make the film feel timeless. You could watch this movie today, and Jolie’s wardrobe wouldn't look a day out of date.
Shooting Venice During a Speed Limit Crackdown
Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck had a nightmare of a time filming in Venice. The city is famous for its rules, and during production, the Venetian authorities were incredibly strict about boat speeds. They actually kept a policeman on set at all times to make sure the wakes from the boats didn't damage the ancient wooden pillars the city sits on.
That’s why the big boat chase scene feels a bit... slow. It wasn't just "artistic choice"—it was literally the law.
They filmed at some incredible spots you can actually visit:
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- Palazzo Pisani Moretta: This stood in for the entrance of the Hotel Danieli.
- The Rialto Market: Where Depp does his famous pajama-clad roof jump.
- Scuola Grande della Misericordia: The location for the massive gala ball.
Was it Actually a Flop?
Everyone loves to say this movie bombed, but the math says otherwise. It had a $100 million budget, which is huge for a romantic thriller, but it ended up grossing about $278 million worldwide.
It wasn't a Salt or a Pirates of the Caribbean level hit, but it certainly wasn't a failure. The "flop" narrative mostly came from the fact that it only made about $67 million in the US. Overseas audiences, however, couldn't get enough of it. It turns out the rest of the world really liked watching two beautiful people look at each other in Italy.
Why It Still Matters
The movie represents a specific era of Hollywood that’s mostly gone. We don't really get these "star vehicle" mid-budget adult thrillers anymore. Everything now is either a $300 million superhero movie or a $5 million indie horror flick. The Tourist was a throwback to the days of Charade or To Catch a Thief.
It’s a "comfort movie." It’s basically travel porn with a side of mystery. You don't watch it for a gritty, realistic portrayal of international espionage. You watch it to see Angelina Jolie look perfect while drinking wine on a balcony in Venice.
How to Experience The Tourist Vibe Today
If you want to live out your own version of the movie (minus the Russian mobsters), here is what you actually do:
- Book a water taxi: Skip the public vaporetto and get a private wooden motorboat from the airport. It’s expensive, but it’s the only way to feel like Elise.
- Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection: The floating platform where they have dinner is right in front of this museum.
- Check out the Marciana Library: This was used as the Italian police headquarters in the film. It’s one of the most beautiful rooms in the world, filled with Titian and Veronese paintings.
The best way to appreciate the film now is to treat it as a moving postcard. Forget the logic of the plot for a second. Just look at the light hitting the Grand Canal and the way the cashmere drapes. Sometimes, that's enough.
To get the full experience, look for the director's commentary on the 4K release. Donnersmarck goes into incredible detail about the "speed limit" police and how they managed to film in the middle of St. Mark's Square without a thousand tourists in the background. It’s a fascinating look at the logistics of "Old Hollywood" style filmmaking in a modern, crowded world.