Turistas

Written by Sonia Almanza de Gambaro on Thursday, 09 July 2009 17:34

A thirtysomething couple drives through Chile on their way to vacation in the wilderness. The wife is visibly strained and annoyed while her husband is caring and concerned with her well being. A beautifully shot film, Turistas,takes an unexpected turn after Carla nonchalantly tells her husband that she has made an extremely deep and important decision without him. Despondent, he leaves her on the side of the road when they stop so that she can relieve herself in the bushes. Turistas/Getty Images

She is shocked at first but also relieved to have escaped the impending maturity of her marriage. She hitches a ride with a truck driver along with a young, sexually confused, Norwegian named Ulrik. Unable to ever commit to a firm desicion she meanders along and winds up camping with Ulrik at Siete Tazas, a weyward campsite with colorful characters.
Turistas/Getty Images

Turistas seeks to be a tale of self discovery, about Carla figuring out what she wants in life. Does she want her husband? Does she not? Does she want Ulrik? She is way too relaxed about it all to make her character interesting. I felt she was boring and she made Ale sick from the beginning. The most interesting character for me was the husband. Strong and passionate, he is, unfortunately, absent for the majority of the film. Carla is completely confused and really the point of this film is confusing as well. It is not very often that we get to see a film about a woman's midlife crisis so I was a bit disappointed. She never really changes from the experience and even the relationships between the characters are dull. Although Turistas is a visually stunning film to watch,the plot is never compelling.

Website: http://www.latinofusion.com.mx

-Sonia Almanza de Gambaro
Turistas/Getty Images