Intelligent, well-crafted, and very satisfying

Rating: Null/10 (24 July 2004)

It's a joy to see a film which is not only intelligently directed but which assumes a certain level of intelligence - and sophistication - on the part of the viewer. From direction to camera work, art direction to editing, dialogue to music, the film is clever, but never self-consciously so. Yet, while it feels like the product of 'today's' film making - a film that any 'art film' maker should be proud to have made - it also tells a fast paced 'spy-versus-spy-versus-spy' story very well.
Matt Damon's performance is compelling. He draws us into Bourne's predicament so that what happens to him at any moment is more important than figuring out the twists. I caught on half way what the main twist was, but that was irrelevant because of the way I was gripped by how the story unfolded.
As someone who loves traveling and getting seeped in the flavour of each place I visit, I loved the choice of locations within each city and the way they conveyed subliminally where we were and what that place was about - and how that affected the story. I loved, too, the fact that while Matt Damon's character spoke several languages well, the local people he spoke to still knew him for an American.
Most of all I found myself really caring about Bourne as a person and enjoyed the slow, thoughtful process of his self-discovery within the mayhem of the several exciting car chases and near escapes that keep the plot moving fast.
Truly a film that 'entertains', i.e. takes a hold of you - and leaves you feeling very satisfied.