A cool thriller

Rating: 8/10 (24 June 2002)

So, a man is picked up at sea with two bullet holes in his back and a laser chip in his hip. Quite a premise and one that Robert Ludlum took to three books in the 80's. Ludlum's character Jason Bourne comes alive in this well directed and excitingly acted film. The story and action are updated for the current time, but remain true to their original intent.
While this is an action film and there is a villain (the inimitable Chris Cooper of "Lonesome Dove" and "Lone Star" to name a few), the real conflict resides in the character of Bourne himself. He has no memory, but knows how to do all sorts of cool and scary things. He can recite the license plate numbers of the six cars outside the diner, and he can also use a gun and his body as lethal weapons. In the skilled hands of Damon, Jason Bourne takes on a vulnerability that is appealing and confusing when set against his obvious talent for murder.
When he inadvertently hooks up with Marie Kreutz (Franka Potente), the story twists and turns to its inevitable conclusion. No one ever accused Ludlum of being the great American novelist, but his stories are packed with suspense (the audience jumped in unison about three times yesterday), and are clever and fun.
Doug Liman uses Paris beautifully - making that great City a part of the story. The cinematography is wonderful in bringing us into the hushed halls of Swiss banking to a farmhouse in the countryside with the same loving care. The camera wobbles and dives and gives the viewer an unsettled feeling -- not unlike that which Bourne himself must be feeling.
I recommend this movie and think there will be sequels, since Bourne is a complicated protagonist and we still want to find out what the heck Treadstone is!