The Bourne Identity

What’s the Story?

This action-packed thriller gets moving when a cargo ship pulls an unconscious man (Matt Damon) from the sea. The ship's medic removes bullets and a strange information capsule from the man's back. When he awakes, he is angry, desperate, and doesn't know who he is. He's dropped off in Europe and tries to work his way to finding his identity, only to be suddenly attacked by people from his past life. He successfully fights them off and pays a woman (Franka Potente) to drive him to safety, but at every angle there's another danger, and the film picks up as the plot unravels, with Damon eventually discovering his name (or one of his names) is be Jason Bourne and researching his past to find out why people are trying to kill him.

Is It Any Good?

The Bourne Identity does not have much in the way of plot or characters, but it is a better-than-average guns, gadgets, and chases in interesting locations movie. It's formulaic but stylish, clever, and fun. Franka Potente is always fun to watch, and bad guy Chris Cooper remains one of Hollywood's finest character actors, but as credible an actor as Matt Damon is, he makes a rather unconvincing action hero. His boyish looks don't help him when he's beating people up or jumping off buildings, and his ability to stay clean and perfectly shaven after days without having any chance to wash himself is pretty questionable.

One can't help but think that Hugh Jackman or Pierce Brosnan would have flawlessly executed the role, and seeing the terrific Clive Owen shine in a small role only makes you see how perfect he'd be in the title role. But I guess they needed an American hero.