Somnambulistic spy saga

Rating: Null/10 (24 September 2002)

In Australia recently to promote his latest film, the would-be espionage thriller The Bourne Identity, toothy superstar Matt Damon was at his most amiable whilst running the media gauntlet. Surprisingly, he was able to maintain his composure even during the most inane of questions. This was especially the case during a press conference via video-link between Adelaide and Melbourne. The Adelaide media contingent was out in force, ranging from the overly earnest scribes of university publications to fawning, bow tie wearing film critics and most unfortunately, ex-footballers who appear hell-bent on turning any `news' story into a footy fuelled farce. Nevertheless, amid this avalanche of absurdity, Damon did make one candid and telling comment regarding The Bourne Identity. `the story itself isn't that original, what makes it unique is its style and execution'. Herein lies the dilemma with this updating of Robert Ludlum's 1980 bestseller (previously filmed as a television mini-series in 1988).
In The Bourne Identity, Matt Damon plays a victim of amnesia who is found floating, near death in the ocean during a storm. What few clues he has regarding his identity are troubling. There is a Swiss bank security box containing several passports featuring his photograph, his uncanny skill with guns and martial arts and most disturbingly, two bullet wounds in his back. He soon finds himself on the run, attempting to uncover his past before a horde of mysterious secret agents can assassinate him. Numerous shoot-outs and a car chase ensue. Including, what appears to be a fairly lethargic homage (or is it just product placement?) to the famous Mini sequence in the 60's classic, The Italian Job (another film currently being remade!). Fortunately audiences are seemingly spared any computer enhanced fight sequences that are de rigueur in action films. Although, towards its conclusion, The Bourne Identity features a stunt that is so outrageous it may well go down in cinematic infamy.
Matt Damon is obviously hoping to establish a film franchise with his first foray into the action genre. With two further Bourne novels in print and healthy US box office for this installment, it is highly likely that we will see more of him in the role. Hopefully, this will be a character that he can grow into, as Damon (who turns 32 next month) is perhaps currently too young for the part.
Indie director Doug Liman (Swingers, Go) and writer Tony Gilroy have taken Robert Ludlum's cold-war tale and attempted to invest it with 21st Century sensibilities. Unfortunately, beyond the cunning casting of hip Euro-star Franka Potente (from Run Lola Run, wasted as the obligatory love interest) and a contemporary score featuring the likes of Moby and Paul Oakenfold, The Bourne Identity appears hopelessly anachronistic. The `uniquestyle and execution' that Matt Damon spoke of during his interview are sadly lacking. Perhaps the film would have fared better had the original era and East versus West tensions of the novel been maintained.
After the relentless energy of director Liman's cult favourite Go, this somnambulistic spy saga is a major disappointment that once again suggests many filmmakers do their most interesting work outside the Hollywood system.