Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Matt Damon, Chris Cooper and Clive Owen
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have achieved recognition of Matt Damon. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Damon has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s space scavengers, gifted janitors or troubled soldiers, Damon has portrayed compelling characters. Arguably, Damon’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has always had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Damon has always left a lasting impression. Through his ability to portray characters that are engaging, Damon has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is best known for his iconic role as Bourne in the spy franchise, Damon has proven that he can make entertaining movies in every genre. Throughout his bold career, Damon has made movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Damon and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Bourne Identity” is truly my favourite. Released back in 2002, Doug Liman’s film offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved spy book. Packed with stunning production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best spy movies ever made. At centre of it all is a fantastic performance from Matt Damon, who embodies a spy that faces tension. Ultimately, what makes “The Bourne Identity” a classic spy movie is bold appeal. Unlike most movies about spies, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about spies, there are several strong reasons why “The Bourne Identity” is a film that is worth watching.
Based on the beloved book, “The Bourne Identity” tells the story of a spy that seeks to find his identity. Matt Damon embodies Jason Bourne, a wounded spy that suffers from severe memory loss. Afflicted with the condition of amnesia, Bourne struggles to remember his past of trauma. However, his life drastically changes when Bourne finds out he is a spy facing disaster. Hunted down by the CIA agent Alexander Conklin (Chris Cooper), Bourne questions whether he will ever be able to be a successful figure. As he discovers shocking secrets about the CIA, Bourne questions his devotion to a career that comes with a seriously painful price to pay.
Doug Liman is a newcomer towards spies. Before he directed “The Bourne Identity”, Liman had never made a spy film before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a classic spy book, but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Liman captures a spy embarking upon a journey to discover his identity. Evoking Fred Zinnemann’s “The Day of the Jackal”, Liman captures a spy on a journey that’s painful through handheld cameras. For instance, handheld camera elevates the spy chase scene. During this intense scene, Bourne faces tension when he is hunted down by members of the CIA. Using breathtaking handheld camerawork, Liman honours a book about spies which is engaging. Shaky camera is a complicated technique to use in most movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” claimed clearly, handheld camera enhances World War II movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Liman captures hardships which hunted spies are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Bourne Identity” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is well made. Evoking Brian De Palma’s “Mission: Impossible”, Liman uses cross-cutting editing to construct action sequences with spies which are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the spies battle scene. During this tense scene, Bourne has a grim confrontation with his fellow spies that causes tension. Through cross-cutting, Liman creates a portrait of spies that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is dazzling. John Powell’s music is key to the success of the film. It gives the movie intense atmosphere by capturing a heavy burden that spies bear. Using stunning production, Liman captures spies facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Bourne Identity” is a spy film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture tensions spies are enduring. Evoking Martin Campbell’s “Goldeneye”, Liman deftly uses flashbacks to capture tensions which spies experience. For instance, the flashbacks enhance the memories scene. During this frightening scene, Jason Bourne recalls harrowing memories of his traumatic past as an agent. Using flashbacks, Liman crafts a portrait of spies that audiences easily relate to. Flashbacks are a tricky technique to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” suggested, flashbacks elevate science fiction blockbusters. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Liman captured the lives of spies hunted down by the CIA facing a price to pay.
One admires amazing performances.
Matt Damon delivers one of his best career performances as Jason Bourne. Damon first earned appreciation playing gifted janitors in coming of age dramas. With “The Bourne Identity”, however, he took on his trickiest role. It isn’t easy to portray a spy seeking to find his identity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With engaging expressions, he captures bravery, fear and trauma of a solider enduring tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors that’s working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Matt Damon, the supporting cast is also sensational. Chris Cooper is captivating, capturing the authoritative nature of an anxious CIA agent seeking to catch spies causing disaster. Julia Stiles is sensational, capturing the charisma of a female agent that seeks to overcome trauma. Lastly, Clive Owen merits appreciation. As an anxious agent, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “The Bourne Identity” will achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing spies seeking identity. Unlike most movies about spies, it discusses powerful themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes such as bravery, mental health and trauma that would absolutely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be big fans of the book to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Bourne Identity” is one of those rare spy films which everyone would absolutely adore.
Fans of Matt Damon would definitely enjoy “The Bourne Identity” and so would movie-goers seeking intense entertainment. An exhilarating spy blockbuster, if honours a legendary actor.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a spy haunted with memories of trauma that terrify, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with a strong commitment towards craft that has seldom lost his passions for making unforgettable movies which always satisfy.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 