Solid Spy Thriller

Rating: 7/10 (16 June 2002)

Contains Spoilers
I must admit going into "The Bourne Identity" I had misgivings about Matt Damon inhabiting the role of a super-spy, but less than a half hour into the film my fears were allayed. Damon has a fine presence as our amnesiac hero, Jason Bourne, and creates genuine chemistry with his lovely co-star, Franka Potente. There is also a solid supporting cast containing some of our best character actors, including Chris Cooper and Brian Cox.
What does not work in this film is baby-faced Julia Stiles as another operative---a communications expert---but her role is so thin and undeveloped that she's little more than a glorified telephone operator. The pacing also seemed a bit tepid at times, and there are many familiar spy thriller elements (rogue CIA operatives, Swiss bank accounts, inept assassins).
But in the end "The Bourne Identity" is intelligent and involving. There is a tense car chase which reminded me of another underrated film, John Frankenheimer's "Ronin," as well as several other moments of suspense and intrigue. The plot is complex without being confusing, but in the end it's Damon makes the film fly.
Rating: 7/10