Name: A Tourist's Guide to Love
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Released: 2023-04-21T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Rachael Leigh Cook, Scott Ly, Missi Pyle, Ben Feldman, Glynn Sweet

The opening scene of A Tourist’s Guide to Love sets its tone with a cliché: Rachael Leigh Cook’s Amanda Riley, freshly heartbroken, stares longingly at her ex’s photo while packing for Vietnam. It’s the kind of melodrama that makes you roll your eyes before the credits finish.

Directed by Steven K. Tsuchida, this Netflix rom-com follows Amanda, a travel industry executive who embarks on an undercover assignment to study Vietnam’s tourism sector after a five-year relationship ends abruptly. In Vietnam, she meets Sinh (Scott Ly), her tour guide, and together they embark on a journey that blends adventure, romance, and cultural exploration.

The film’s strongest asset is its stunning backdrop: Vietnam’s landscapes are breathtaking, from the bustling streets of Saigon to the serene beauty of My Son Sanctuary. The cinematography captures the country’s vibrancy, making it a visual treat. However, the narrative often feels like a travelogue with a thin romantic plot stitched on top.

Cook and Ly have decent chemistry, but their dialogues lack the wit and charm essential for a rom-com. Their flirtatious moments are few and far between, and their romance feels more obligatory than organic. The script, written by Eirene Donohue, leans heavily on predictable tropes: the grumpy executive who learns to loosen up, the charming local who shows her the beauty of his homeland, and the inevitable cultural misunderstandings that lead to growth.

The film’s pacing is uneven. The first half is a whirlwind of activities—bartering at markets, tasting exotic foods, watching lion dance preparations—as Sinh encourages Amanda to step out of her comfort zone. These scenes are engaging and showcase Vietnam’s rich culture, but they also feel rushed. The second half slows down considerably as the plot delves into family dynamics and business secrets, which adds depth but disrupts the film’s earlier lighthearted tone.

The supporting cast is diverse and brings warmth to their roles, particularly Missi Pyle as Amanda’s boss Mona and Nondumiso Tembe as Dom Fisher. However, their characters are underdeveloped, serving more as plot devices than fully realized individuals.

A Tourist’s Guide to Love has its moments of charm and beauty, but it’s ultimately a forgettable rom-com that relies too heavily on its scenic backdrop to compensate for its lackluster script and underwhelming performances. The film’s attempt to blend romance with cultural exploration is commendable, but the execution falls short. It’s a pleasant enough diversion, but not one that leaves a lasting impression.

The film’s themes of self-discovery and cultural immersion are timely and relevant, especially in an era where travel has become more accessible than ever. However, these themes are handled with a heavy hand, often feeling preachy rather than insightful. The message that one should embrace spontaneity and live in the moment is well-trodden ground, and the film doesn’t offer any fresh perspectives on it.

Comparisons to other rom-coms like Eat Pray Love or Under the Tuscan Sun are inevitable, but A Tourist’s Guide to Love lacks the depth and emotional resonance of those films. It’s a shame, because the premise has potential. The idea of a travel industry executive finding love and adventure in Vietnam is intriguing, but the film squanders it with a script that feels formulaic and uninspired.

The performances are another area where the film falters. Rachael Leigh Cook is a capable actress, but she seems out of her depth here. Her portrayal of Amanda Riley is one-note, lacking the nuance and complexity needed to make the character sympathetic. Scott Ly fares slightly better as Sinh, bringing a genuine warmth and charm to his role. However, even he struggles with a script that gives him little to work with.

The film’s direction is competent but unremarkable. Steven K. Tsuchida does a serviceable job of capturing Vietnam’s beauty, but his handling of the romantic and comedic elements is lacking. The pacing issues are particularly problematic, as they make it difficult to become invested in the characters or their journey.

A Tourist’s Guide to Love is a film that will likely appeal to fans of lighthearted rom-coms and those interested in Vietnamese culture. However, for anyone looking for a more substantial or emotionally engaging experience, this film falls short. It’s a pleasant enough way to spend an afternoon, but it’s not one that will linger in your memory.

The film’s attempt to blend romance with cultural exploration is commendable, but the execution falls short. The cinematography is beautiful, and the performances are decent, but the script and direction leave much to be desired. It’s a forgettable rom-com that relies too heavily on its scenic backdrop to compensate for its lackluster story and underwhelming performances.

In the end, A Tourist’s Guide to Love is a film that tries to be many things at once but ultimately fails to excel in any of them. It’s a shame, because the premise has potential, and the cinematography is stunning.