It’s good to see Damon who was phenomenal in The Talented Mr. Ripley in an edgy role once again. Not remembering his dark past Bourne is basically a good guy who just wants to wipe the slate clean and Damon is great at playing up his character’s duality and perplexity (“Who has a bank account in their hip?” a dumbfounded Bourne asks Marie). Potente (Run Lola Run) was well cast in the role of Marie a gypsy-like loner who isn’t afraid of a challenge but is smart enough to know when to quit. The two have chemistry on screen in a story line that is sweet without going overboard on sentiment. Two of the villains if you can label the CIA as such are played by Chris Cooper (The Patriot) and Brian Cox (L.I.E.). Both actors are chillingly creepy in their portrayal of cold and calculating government officials and constantly leave you guessing at what their true intentions really are. Julia Stiles (O) has a surprisingly small role as Nicolette a spiffy young American who tracks Bourne’s every move in Europe.
The Bourne Identity is the first in a trilogy of films featuring Jason Bourne the main character in three best-selling novels by Robert Ludlum who died shortly after this movie’s completion. Tony Gilroy (Proof of Life) adapted the novel which was published at the height of the Cold War in 1984 into a more modern and updated screenplay. Filmed on location in Prague Paris Italy and Greece the film has some stunning visuals from exotic shorelines to tight cobblestone alleyways. One of the film’s most exciting scenes is a car chase through the streets of Paris as Damon at the wheel of a Mini knocks down pedestrians and drives down flights of stairs with skills that would make World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen blush. Director Doug Liman (Go) sustains the action and suspense evenly throughout the film with a story line that never lags. In fact a couple of scenes will practically have you jumping out of your seat.
