The Bourne Identity (2002)

Starring Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Clive Owen, Chris Cooper.
Directed by Doug Liman.
Written by Tony Gilroy and William Blake Herron.
Based on the novel by Robert Ludlum.
Distributed by Universal Pictures.
118 minutes.

LVJeff's Rating: 7/10

Another Competent Genre Exercise

Genre exercises are always going to fill out any year's list of movies, and this year we've been fortunate enough to receive several competent examples. The Count of Monte Cristo was a fun costume-and-swords swashbuckler, Panic Room told its invasion-thriller story with style, and Insomnia gave us a solid cop drama. Now we are presented with a well-executed spy-thriller, The Bourne Identity.

The story features a hero (Matt Damon) who is rescued from the Mediterranean Sea. He possesses a number of amazing skills but doesn't remember who he is or what he worked for. Stranded in Europe with nothing but a bank account number as a lead, he soon discovers that his name might be Jason Bourne and that there are people who seem to be keeping track of him and chasing him.

It sounds like a grand mystery, and it is, but more so for the protagonist than for the audience. Early scenes of Jason's employers give away the fact that the man was a highly-trained CIA field operative. Director Doug Liman chooses instead to focus on Jason's reasoning process as he tries to figure out what his next move should be. It's an effective way to let the viewers concentrate more on getting to know Jason rather than being caught up in a puzzle and wasting thought processes in anticipating some kind of twist ending.

Like its hero, the movie is understated, takes its time when it can, and is intense in spurts. Liman isn't going for an overblown, 007-style action extravaganza. Adrenaline-pumping set pieces come in between long sequences developing the relationship of Jason and the woman he bribed to drive him to Paris, Marie (Franka Potente). Scenes of their time together are as enticing as the thrill-ride moments are exciting. Damon pulls off his amnesiac hero with equal parts frustrated vulnerability and masculine aplomb. Potente responds by portraying a woman who isn't sure about too much but knows when to follow her instincts for adventure and her heart for affection. He is tough outside yet considerate to her, she is an independent who is otherwise sweet to him -- together they make a good pair.

With a rather tidy ending and no memorable villains, The Bourne Identity doesn't stand out from other movies of its kind. It does, however, stand proudly alongside them by providing likeable leads, impressive thrills, and eye-pleasing photography of Europe in winter. Good genre pieces are like polite visiting relatives -- you don't want to see them all the time, but when you do you welcome them, have fun, and are thankful that they're not the kind of company you can't stand.

©Jeffrey Chen, Jun. 17, 2002

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