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When the movie Fifty Shades of Grey was released in 2015, Dakota Johnson gained widespread recognition as its breakout actress. She captured the attention of the internet by openly talking about her love for sleep, expressing her fondness for limes, and becoming a viral sensation with an awkward interview on The Ellen Show. She also solidified her position as an A-list celebrity by balancing roles in independent films and big-budget blockbusters.

However, Jamie Dornan, who starred alongside her in the S&M trilogy, has not had such a successful career. He has mostly appeared in forgettable action films, unsuccessful award contenders, and the widely panned Wild Mountain Thyme. His only recent standout performance was in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and his unsettling portrayal of a serial killer in The Fall. Unfortunately, his admission of stalking a woman for his role has raised doubts about his legacy.

Luckily, Dornan’s stellar performance in the 2022 BBC drama The Tourist, which oscillated between nerve-wracking tension, dark humor, and unexpected tenderness, was not a one-time success; the second season is just as thrilling and enjoyable. In the first season, Dornan played Elliot Stanley, an Irishman with amnesia stranded in the Australian outback, facing constant threats from various individuals trying to capture or harm him. His sole support came from friendly Constable Helen Chambers (played by Danielle Macdonald).

The duo concluded the show by creating a physical connection and learned that Elliot had a dark side. We discovered that he had stolen money from a criminal he used to transport drugs for. In the final scene, one of his victims exposed a scar on her abdomen to show how they were forced to carry drugs inside their bodies.

Helen appeared to ignore a significant warning sign. The second season starts with the couple on a train to Cambodia, 14 months after their wedding and still deeply in love. However, Helen has been hiding something from Elliot, who now has a bushy beard. She shows him a letter and photo that was sent to the police by someone named “Tommy”, and tells him it’s time for him to discover his true identity. The pair goes to Ireland to find answers, but it becomes clear that this won’t be a typical family reunion. A thrilling and entertaining adventure awaits.

The movie, The Tourist, effectively captures a balance between dark and chaotic. The intense pursuit through the countryside, with a van attempting to run over the protagonist, concludes with a comical twist as he tumbles down an endless hill, each fall becoming funnier. As his girlfriend searches for answers and faces danger in a seemingly peaceful part of Ireland, the protagonist must fight for survival against bloodthirsty and insane locals.

In the meantime, Elliot is trapped in a never-ending pattern of being caught, fleeing, and then being caught again by a cruel group linked to his eventful history. They are thoroughly enjoying themselves by playing twisted games similar to those in the movie “Saw”, where they propose that Elliot remove his own legs in order to escape. Dornan adds a touch of humor with a bewildered response to this graphic and confusing scheme.

The plot of the story is full of surprises, some humorous and others harsh, but all are absurd. The Tourist’s storyline is tightly constructed and the performances are done with such finesse that it remains captivating, even in its most unrealistic moments. Its unbridled enthusiasm is incredibly contagious.

After watching the fourth of six episodes available for review, it becomes difficult to remember how or why the story led us to this point. The creators’ tendency for frequent plot twists every 12 minutes and the introduction of new villains also happens frequently, making the recaps at the beginning of each episode crucial for understanding. Despite the confusion surrounding characters’ motivations and desires for revenge or monetary gain, the show is able to captivate with its charm. The Tourist demonstrates that while some of Dornan’s previous projects may not have highlighted his charms, he has plenty of them at his disposal.

Source: theguardian.com