NMR: The Tourist

Given the star power that this film boasts, it should have been way better than what it was. Not even the high-wattage status of Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp can save a film mired by a weak story and glacial storytelling. This, like last summer's Knight and Day, is an action comedy which features an average nobody unwittingly being paired with someone who is running from the law whose intentions aren't exactly clear. Unlike the aforementioned film, The Tourist is light on laughs and action. The film strolls along expecting us to come along for the ride simply because it involves these big name stars. It doesn't help that all of the extras in the film stare awestruck at the two leads as if they were looking at the real people and not their characters. Meanwhile, actors in supporting roles like Paul Bettany and Timothy Dalton get absolutely lost in the shuffle. There is an attempt to salvage things at the end by throwing in a couple of twists, but by that point the audience has already figured them out or they simply don't care. Don't get fooled by the A-list names attached to the film, the B-level story makes this a film you can skip. Rating: ** 1/2