Plot
In the Mediterranean sea, a man is pulled from the ocean. In his back are two bullets, and in his hip is a small device that shows a bank account in Zurich. He is suffering from amnesia, and decides to follow the clues he has to discover who his is.
Along the way he meets Marie, a German who happens to be travelling to his ‘next’ stop. As the days go by, he learns he is fluent in many languages, and quite could be a secret agent named Jason Bourne. As Jason’s investigations grow, he learns of a secret society called Treadstone – and the project he was part of, and now the people who want him dead.
Direction
Directed by Doug Liman, who prior to this was known for his comedy films Swingers, and the “Pulp Fiction-esque” Go (previously reviewed).
The gritty realism in the fight and action sequences are breath taking, as are some of the car chase sequences. The chase sequence in Marie’s Mini Cooper is wonderfully constructed and choreographed.
The many exotic international locations are all used brilliantly as well.
Cast
Matt Damon proved his worth as an action star as well as a comedy actor and dramatic actor as Bourne. He really was able to pull off the character.
Chris cooper plays Conklin, Bourne’s former boss, and now the person who needs Bourne dead – ASAP. This is due to Bourne’s failure to assassinate African Warlord Wombosi.
Brian Cox plays CIA Deputy Director Abbott, who set in motion the assassination, and is desperate to keep himself clean from the mess caused by Bourne’s failure.
Franka Potente plays Marie, who is hesitant to follow Bourne, but the promise of financial gain sways her. She slowly falls for him, and begins to assist him on his journey. The chemistry between Potente and Damon is perfect and off the charts, but I was annoyed that they consummated their affection so early into the film.
Clive Owen plays a character only known as The Professor, who is one of a small handful of assassins that Conklin hires to take Bourne out.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje plays Wombosi.
Other cast of importance (some who return in future films) are Wolton Goggins, and Julia Stiles.
breakdown
Based on the series of novels by Robert Ludlum, it starts with a mini mystery – with a man being pulled out of the water. He has two bullets in his back, and a small device that has a laser pointer of a bank account in his hip.
Suffering from Amnesia, this leads him to his first investigation – in Zurich (and one of the many international locations that the film shows well). The whole notion of characters having amnesia isn’t new – but in this case, as he is fluent in many languages when he awakens, it brings a different take on a trope that should be tired, but here is quite exciting.
Along the way – and as his investigations grow – we get snippets of an American agency – led by Chris Coopers Conklin, who along with his seemingly boss, Abbott – are trying to find Bourne, and for reasons unknown at first… kill him.
Bourne doesn’t know this at first, and it takes him most of the movie to discover the whole truth. This is what I enjoyed about the writing of this film, it didn’t give the whole story away right away. It took its time with revealing to the audience too what the whole story is. Bourne was sent to kill an African dictator Wombosi – and when he was close – he could not do it as Wombosi’s kids were with him.
The casting of Damon was one of the “really, him” castings – but worked out in the long run. Before this, he had only really done Comedy and Drama – this proved that he was also a solid action movie star too.
Bourne’s use of tactical skills and situational awareness, add a gritty realism to the film. The book itself was released in 1980, so the 2002 filming, and setting adds more modern technology to the story.
The film also feels more character and story based than ‘action’ – however when the action does occur, it is well choreographed and has some great camera work. The Mini Cooper car chase sequence is one of my favourite car chase sequences that I’ve watched.
One gripe I had was the Marie/Jason consummating their relationship so early in the film. I think this could have been left out, and implied rather than seen. This would have strengthened their dynamic – especially considering what is to come in later films.
Chris Cooper is a great bad guy here, and despite barely sharing the screen with Damon – he is a great foible. I’m looking forward to seeing how the other characters in the film continue with Jason in future films (not Conklin though…)
Overall
Fun introduction to Ludlum’s character, and perfectly played by Damon. He is paired perfectly next to Potente, as his love interest, but I wish their relationship was a little more organic and didn’t need to bend to the norm of them getting together quite so quickly.
With an interesting premise, the viewer only has a small handful of information give to them before Bourne discovers it as well, so the screenplay is clever in that regard.
Followed by four sequels.
4.5/5
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