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The Bourne Identity (2002)
Director: Doug Liman
Writer: Tony Gilroy and W.Blake Herron (screenplay), Robert Ludlum (original novel)
Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Gabriel Mann, Julia Stiles, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Walton Goggins
You know, many of the worst book to film adaptations are the ones that completely alter the book. If you enjoyed the material immensely then it really hurts when the cinematic interpretation isn’t up to snuff. However, there are also times when the original book and adaptation that inspired it will be there
My introduction with the Bourne series came not with the books but with the films (and it was the second one I watched first.) Realizing this, I decided to backtrack from the films and brush up on what I was missing. About halfway through reading the Bourne Identity, I realized there would probably be very little relation between the book material and the movie I’m reviewing today.
The book is based on political settings from two decades ago and there are too many characters and plotlines that are way too complex to fit into less than two hours of film. So the only plausible way to do it is strip the story down to a common a thread that can be used well throughout the movie-the search for a man’s identity.
Now there’s a lot that could have gone wrong with this film. The very premise of an assassin with amnesia slowly rediscovering how much of a badass he is runs the risk of becoming a standard B-rated government action flick. Like any film, the right people-from the writer to the cast to the director have to click in the best possible way for this to not only seem exciting but also relatable.
Matt Damon carries the film as Jason Bourne. His character is shrouded in mystery from the moment he enters and despite the inevitable revelations, maintains that mystique for the duration of the film. At the same time he gives Bourne this unassuming nature that makes him relatable to the viewer and creates enough room for surprise at his later actions. He easily portrays Bourne’s intelligence without exaggeration and its fun seeing dart out of situations with that intellect. The most impressive and most talked about aspect of Damon’s performance is the physical work. A lot has been said about actors trying to become action stars in recent years but Damon pulls it off seamlessly and its impressive to watch.
Now the film can’t help but depend on some clichés and one of the them is the female lead who somehow gets pulled into the mess. Franka Potente fills that role as Marie Kreutz, one of the few characters retained from the original novel. Her character’s background, revealed in bits and pieces, makes her a little too convenient for Bourne to run into but she her character’s realism shines through. Her chemistry with Damon is undeniable and shows itself in one of my favorite scenes concerns. When both characters discover a revelation about Bourne Marie’s reaction to it is both funny and authentic enough to break the cliché that revolves around similar characters.
The supporting cast also elevates this movie. As main antagonist Alexander Conklin (another novel mainstay), Chris Cooper (American Beauty) gives enough weight to the role. Conklin is a longtime government op who’s gotten his hands dirty often and it shows through his performance. It’s almost funny to watch his bemusement as he hunts down his former A-One assassin. His expected confrontation with Bourne is incredible as both men have gone on harrowing personal journeys which forced them to see the people they’ve become and their place in their world now.
Brian Cox( X2) gives a decent turn as Ward Abbott, Conklin’s supervisor and constant source of frustration. He’s ambassador for Conklin’s Treadstone assassin program and throughout the film he constantly tries to keep his nose clean with some surprisingly ruthless and effective measures.
The rest of the cast is pretty impressive and contains solid TV actors such as Goggins( The Shield) and Adinnouye-Agbaje (Lost, Oz) as well as up and comers Stiles (Save the Last Dance) and Clive Owen (Sin City). The roles they fill vary in depth but they all perform well.
Doug Liman’s direction is pretty solid. He handles the film’s action well, especially during the fight scenes and one harrowing car chase. The one thing that bothers me about it, is that everything is a little too clean and hip. One example is the aforementioned car chase. The score utilized by that particularly stands out because its the same score used for a car commercial that came out a few years ago. Every time I hear that music, I'm reminded of that commercial even though the movie came first. Despite the occasional over-stylization, he lays a solid foundation for Paul Greengrass to build upon with the next two Bourne films.
One of the unsung heroes of this movie is Tony Gilroy, the script’s screenwriter. In the commentary, he acknowledged that he was stripping away a great deal of the story’s main plot but he wanted to keep the essence of the story. Gilroy not only accomplishes the latter task, but gives us an insightful twist on the whole spy genre. There is the subtle commentary on the U.S. intervention in international affairs, which is especially daring concerning the post 9-11 timing of the film. This commentary is even more notable thanks to a protagonist who’s fighting against the establishment that created him. Gilroy’s work truly is a prime of example of how to respect the original work while completely retooling it.
When people comment on this film, they usually give credit for Matt Damon’s display of fighting prowess and rightfully so . But it’s important to note the film’s other positive aspects as well—namely, the intelligence of the film’s script and technical work involved on all fronts. Like I said, it could have gone off the rails but everyone involved prevented that and provided an experience that exhilarates on many levels and it’s something to aspire to.
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