The Tourist

The Tourist

Year: 2010

Runtime: 103 min

Language: English

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

DramaThriller

An unsuspecting American tourist, Frank, finds his life unexpectedly intertwined with the alluring Elise during a trip to Paris and Venice. Their passionate encounter quickly escalates into a dangerous game of deception and pursuit. As their whirlwind romance unfolds against the backdrop of iconic European landmarks, Frank discovers he's caught in a deadly plot, and nothing is as it appears.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Tourist (2010)

Trace every key event in The Tourist (2010) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Elise Receives a Mysterious Letter

Elise, while enjoying a peaceful moment at a café in Paris, receives a cryptic letter from her former lover, Alexander Pearce. The letter presents a plan for her to travel to Venice and indicates that she must find a man who resembles Pearce to convince the authorities.

Paris
2

Elise Incinerates the Letter

Realizing the potential consequences of the letter, Elise quickly decides to burn it. Without hesitation, she hops on a train heading to Venice, determined to follow the instructions laid out by Pearce.

3

Meeting Frank on the Train

Onboard the train to Venice, Elise encounters Frank, an American tourist, who is engrossed in a spy novel. Their chemistry is immediate, and Elise captures Frank's attention with her charm.

Train
4

Romantic Evening in Venice

Upon reaching Venice, Elise invites Frank to a scenic boat ride to the opulent Hotel Danieli. During dinner, she reveals her lingering feelings for Alexander Pearce, leaving Frank heartbroken and dejected.

Hotel Danieli, Venice
5

Elise Disappears Overnight

The following morning, Frank awakens alone to discover that Elise has vanished without a trace. Moments later, men burst into his room, forcing him to make a daring escape across the rooftops of Venice.

Venice
6

Frank's Encounter with the Police

After narrowly escaping, Frank is captured by the Italian police. He recounts his bizarre experiences, only to learn that he has been mistaken for Alexander Pearce, whose actions have attracted dangerous attention.

Venice
7

Elise Rescues Frank

In a dramatic twist, Elise arrives in a boat just in time to save Frank from his captors. She explains that their kiss led to the confusion about his identity, linking him to Pearce's notorious past.

Venice
8

Elise's Secret Revealed

Feeling guilty about drawing Frank into her dangerous life, Elise reveals that she is actually a British secret agent. She had originally been undercover to investigate Alexander Pearce but fell for Frank instead.

9

The Ball and the Trap

At a glamorous ball, Elise dons a hidden surveillance wire while mingling with guests. Just as she receives another letter from Pearce, Frank unexpectedly shows up, complicating her plans.

Ball, Venice
10

Elise Walks into a Trap

Ignoring the warning signs, Elise decides to rendezvous with Pearce, unaware that she is walking straight into a trap set by gangster Shaw. Meanwhile, Frank is captured by Acheson’s team while trying to intervene.

Venice
11

The Confrontation with Shaw

In a tense face-off, Shaw demands Elise reveal the location of the safe containing stolen money. Elise reveals its whereabouts but struggles as Frank bravely tries to rescue her, pretending to be Pearce.

12

Police Intervention

Just as tensions reach a boiling point, Chief Inspector Jones orders snipers to intervene, leading to a chaotic shootout. Frank and Elise find themselves safe once more, while Acheson is left shocked at the outcome.

13

Relationship Questions

After the dust settles, Elise reveals her agency’s intent to terminate her position due to her actions. When Frank questions her about her feelings for both him and Pearce, she affirms her love for both men.

14

The Truth About Pearce

In a surprising turn, the man arrested earlier, thought to be Pearce, claims he was merely a tourist. This revelation sets the stage for Frank to prove his true identity in order to aid Elise.

15

A New Beginning

With the truth unveiled, Elise and Frank sail away together, ready to start a new life free from the events of their tumultuous past. Meanwhile, authorities discover shocking evidence regarding Pearce’s tax evasion.

Venice

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 11:40

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Tourist

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