Paula's Tour Talk

Merry Christmas, Buon Natale

 

Venice Stars in The Tourist

 

Angelina Jolie is stunning and Johnny Depp is a bit goofy in the entertaining new movie, The Tourist, but for me the real star was Venice.

Instead of just the usual shots of the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, this movie showcases the city in the way a tourist might actually see it. That is, if she were arriving by train and extremely wealthy.

I loved the views of my favorite city as the train crosses the bridge and also the shots from above. And it was fun to see the small inner canals and campos, too, and recognize places where I've walked.

But the real treats were the over-the-top elegant hotel suite at the Danieli, the decadent casino and fancy ball in a grand palazzo--places I am unlikely ever to glimpse in real life.

The Tourist is not a great movie. You never feel any real suspense or involvement in the story, but it's a lot of fun. the And if you dream of Venice, you'll love this movie.