Our take
The first few minutes of The Tourist make it seem like a straight action thriller. It’s cool and gritty, with Jamie Dornan ably playing the role of strong but likable leading man. Then ever so subtly, it shifts its tone into something more playful and wholesome, then shifts back to dangerous territory. The back-and-forth feels jarring at first, almost like we’re seeing the show discover what it should be in real time. But eventually, it settles into a comfortable and confident rhythm, one that’s difficult not to watch. The funny bits are care of silly townie humor and that dry Australian wit, while most of the high-intensity action is thanks to Dornan (though he delivers amusing zingers too, especially when paired with Shalom Brune-Franklin). The Tourist seems designed to reel in broad viewers with different tastes, and it does just that thanks to its strong performances and nicely balanced tone.
What it won
Golden Globes
3 noms
The story
When a man wakes up in the Australian outback with no memory, he must use the few clues he has to discover his identity before his past catches up with him.
Elsewhere
"This is a great little thriller, a show that constantly keeps you guessing and entertained in equal measure."
— Brian Tallerico
After surviving a car crash in Australia, an Irishman forgets everything about his past, including his name. Thankfully, a friendly constable and a mysterious woman help him recover his memories.
Casting directors, please Danielle Macdonald in more things! She’s a delight here, the light amid the show’s many dark moments.
It’s like Bourne Identity if took itself less seriously—what’s not to like!
The details
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
