The Passenger Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A journalist has a midlife crisis, steals a dead guy’s identity, accidentally becomes an arms dealer, and then chills with a random girl until he gets got.

🍿 The Passenger: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Frustrated Reporter in Africa

David Locke (Jack Nicholson), a disillusioned American journalist, is in Northern Africa covering a conflict. Finding it impossible to connect with the story, Locke grows increasingly frustrated with his work and his life. He is unable to find the rebels he is supposed to interview and his car gets stuck in the desert.

Identity Theft and Dangerous Consequences

Back at his remote hotel, Locke discovers that a fellow guest, David Robertson, has died. Seizing an opportunity for escape, Locke switches identities with Robertson. He swaps the photos in their passports and leaves his own identification with the deceased, effectively faking his death. However, Locke soon learns that Robertson was an arms dealer, plunging him into a world of danger and intrigue.

On the Run with a Mysterious Companion

As Locke tries to navigate his new identity, he meets a young woman, simply known as ‘The Girl’ (Maria Schneider), who becomes his unlikely companion. Together, they travel across Europe, trying to evade both the police, who believe Locke is dead, and the criminals seeking Robertson for his arms dealing activities. Locke and The Girl develop a strange bond, as he struggles to find meaning in his new, precarious existence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• David Locke (Jack Nicholson): A world-weary journalist who impulsively assumes the identity of a dead arms dealer, seeking escape from his unfulfilling life.
• Girl (Maria Schneider): A mysterious and free-spirited young woman who becomes entangled with Locke as he navigates his assumed identity.
• Robertson (Unknown): An arms dealer whose sudden death provides Locke with the opportunity to change his identity, leading to dangerous consequences.
• Rachel Locke (Jenny Runacre): David Locke’s wife who investigates his supposed death, uncovering the truth about his identity switch.
• Martin Knight (Ian Hendry): A reporter and acquaintance of Locke who searches for him, unknowingly pursuing Locke in his new identity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• David Locke: “I used to be somebody else, but I traded him in.” – Locke explains his identity change to the girl he meets, summarizing his desire for a new life.
• The Girl: “Isn’t it funny how things happen? All the shapes we make. Wouldn’t it be terrible to be blind?” – The Girl reflects on the randomness of life and the importance of perception.
• David Locke: “I know a man who was blind. When he was nearly 40 years old, he had an operation and regained his sight… After three years he killed himself.” – Locke tells a story illustrating the disillusionment that can come with seeing the world’s ugliness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $620,155
• Worldwide Gross: $769,503

💥 The Passenger Reviews

Personal Review

I watched ‘The Passenger’ expecting a typical Nicholson thriller, but it’s something much deeper. The slow pace took me a minute to get used to, but the visuals are stunning. The ending…wow. It just lingers in your mind. I felt like I was on Locke’s journey, questioning everything about his life. Maria Schneider is so great and mysterious, I felt like I was experiencing the mysteries with her. I recommend it, but be prepared to think!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jack Nicholson and Maria Schneider”
  • “Admirers of Michelangelo Antonioni’s films”
  • “Those interested in existential dramas”
  • “Viewers who appreciate slow-paced, character-driven stories”
  • “People fascinated by themes of identity and escape”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Violence”
  • “Thematic elements dealing with existential despair”
  • “Some scenes depicting civil unrest”
  • “Mature themes unsuitable for young children”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Antonioni’s ‘The Passenger’ is visually extraordinary, like a painting of a film. It asks a lot of the audience and only rewards viewers who give it multiple viewings. Nicholson gives a restrained performance.
• JoBlo.com: “A slow-burn thriller that rewards patience. Nicholson’s performance is surprisingly low-key, allowing Antonioni’s visual storytelling to take center stage. The ending is both shocking and thought-provoking.
• IMDB User Review: “A haunting and unique film from Antonioni. One of Jack Nicholson’s best, but also least known films. Nicholson’s role as a world-weary television journalist (David Locke) isn’t a particularly demanding one but it is fascinating to see him give a performance so different from anything else we have seen from him.

Audience Reactions

The ending is amazing and a complete mind-blowing experience.: Viewers loved the cinematography and the thought-provoking themes, particularly the ending.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and intellectually stimulating film that may not appeal to everyone due to its slow pace, but it’s a rewarding experience for those who appreciate art-house cinema.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Michelangelo Antonioni received an honorary Oscar in 1995, presented to him by Jack Nicholson.”
• “The film is known for its long takes and minimalist style, a hallmark of Antonioni’s direction, creating a sense of alienation and existential questioning.”
• “The final seven-minute long take was achieved using a special camera rig and required meticulous planning and execution.”
• “Seven minutes were added to the 2005 re-release version, including a brief shot of a nude Maria Schneider in bed with Jack Nicholson in the Spanish hotel.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Passenger?

The Passenger (Professione: reporter) is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for purchase or rental on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital movie retailers. Check your local listings for availability as streaming options may vary by region. Some platforms may offer a free trial, allowing you to watch the movie without an initial purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Passenger, you might like these similar films:

• Blow-Up (1966): Directed by Antonioni and also starring a protagonist grappling with the nature of reality and perception.
• Three Days of the Condor (1975): A CIA researcher finds his colleagues murdered and must evade mysterious killers, sharing a theme of identity and conspiracy.
• Mr. Brooks (2007): A businessman leads a double life as a serial killer, exploring themes of hidden identity and internal conflict.
• Taxi Driver (1976): Features a protagonist alienated from society, drifting through a dark and morally ambiguous world.
• The Conversation (1974): A surveillance expert becomes paranoid after suspecting his tapes reveal a murder plot, sharing themes of paranoia and the consequences of one’s profession.

🛒 The Passenger Related Products

• Jack Nicholson: The Early Years [Blu-ray]: A Blu-ray collection featuring some of Jack Nicholson’s most influential early performances, providing valuable insights into his artistic development.
• Criterion Collection: Michelangelo Antonioni’s The Passenger [Blu-ray]: A collector’s edition Blu-ray featuring a newly restored version of the film, behind-the-scenes footage, and in-depth analyses from film scholars.
• The Passenger: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Vinyl]: A limited edition vinyl record featuring the film’s haunting score. Captures the film’s atmosphere, perfect for collectors.
• Professione: Reporter – Inspired Desert Landscape Print: High-quality art print capturing the desolate beauty of the Sahara desert landscapes seen in ‘The Passenger’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Passenger features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Theme” – performed by Ivan Vandor
• “End Theme” – performed by Ivan Vandor
• “African Village Music” – performed by Traditional African Ensemble

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Passengers, Rearranged

Ever wondered how ‘Passengers’ could have been different? This video breaks down the original script and the changes made, and honestly, it’s wild to see what could have been!

‘Passengers’ (2016) BLU-RAY EXTRAS – Deleted Scenes

Curious about what you *didn’t* see in ‘Passengers’? Check out these deleted scenes—some of them are actually pretty good, and you might wonder why they were cut in the first place!

Why I Like The Movie Passengers (2016)

Tired of all the hate for ‘Passengers’? This video offers a refreshing take, explaining why someone actually *likes* the movie, and makes some pretty good points, if you ask me!

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