An enjoyable Ludlum adaptation

Rating: Null/10 (29 November 2002)

Contrary to expectations, "The Bourne Identity" is a satisfying action-spy-suspense film. And it's made as though everything after the 1970s never occurred, a rather old fashioned movie in texture and technique. An over-used device like amnesia should have been a liability but never really slows up the intriguing narrative. Also the audience is ahead of the story when it comes to the mystery of who crossed-up the protagonist, but again it proves to be less of a stumbling block. Doug Liman, as director, keeps things stripped-down and on the ground--as opposed to the improbable comic-strip antics of James Bond--and at least makes the proceedings quasi-convincing. Matt Damon as mysterious-action-hero-in-search-of-his-past is likeable here and does a good job kicking butt. Unfortunately Franka Potente has little to do as does Julia Stiles in an almost throwaway bit part.