A sleepy me switched on the television at 1 am in the morning after a nice dose of Vodka. Ahem.
Somewhere at the back of the mind I had an inclination of some good movie to be played on one of the numerous English movie channels Indians get now. And I was right!
Based on the novel by Robert Lundlum comes:
The Bourne Identity (He was the Perfect Weapon until he became the target)
As I laid back sleepy ... watching the title of the movie go by ... the first scene of a body floating somewhere in the ocean.
Perfect Opening. Opened up my eyes wide. What the hell is this?
A boatful of fisherman manage to catch hold of the body and bring it onboard - only to find out that ’’this body’’ is ’’alive!’’ Matt Damon is Jason Bourne. An undercover CIA agent ... whose primary mission is to kill /assassinate or do whatever is necessary as directed by his organization.
He knows many languages, has a physique every man would die for. But he does not know ’’who he is.’’
A bullet-like metal body stuck on his arse contains a Bank a/c no.!
Bourne is dropped (by the fishermen) somewhere on the coastline of France. His first job is the retrieve the contents of his bank a/c. Quite a find he has - Bag loads of money, passports to many European countries - all of the same person - himself!
On going to the American Embassy - he finds himself watched carefully - for the CIA knows his identity - and wants him DEAD. The reasons are quite vague and one never gets to know the real reason for this ’’mission to kill Bourne.’’
The quick paced music complements the scenes of this movie. As Bourne does a super escape from the Embassy building...he meets Marie played by Franka Potente (the gal of Run Lola Run fame)
Marie is broke and lives in her small car. Bourne offers her 10K $ to make her drive him to Paris. Accomplice in the run....Franka gets to know the man through the journey. A guy who knows his apartment address in Paris, has enough money to fulfil his retirement dreams, can run half hour without exhausting himself, blah blah blah.
Followed by snipers of CIA...who know Karate / Kung-fu...Bourne’s primary job is to be alive.
How he does this is what the pure thriller of a movie ’’The Bourne Identity’’ is all about :)
Any more details and the review becomes a spoiler
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overall:
The fast paced music aptly complements the quick pace of this movie.
Matt Damon is super in his role as Jason Bourne - pure, cold blooded CIA agent. His ability to grasp the nature of his role in the movie and display it in such a crisp manner deserves applauds.
Franka Potente doesn’t have much to do other than provide a romantic-angle. Does enough to make movie goers like her. I - for sure - love her work.
Chris Cooper is the CIA man who wants Bourne killed. He manages to display pure devilry, just as he did in American Beauty.
But, Damon manages to steal the show in the end. His charismatic signature style of acting combined with no-nonsense pace of this movie makes one sit back and enjoy every minute of the drama.
Many parts of the story aren’t fully explained. But, that’s OK. This movie ain’t your James Bond. It is as real as it gets.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Scenes to Watch Out For:
1) The start scene where Bourne is rescued from the ocean
2) Bourne’s escape from the American Embassy
3) The way Bourne stalks his stalker near the end of the movie!
4) Curtain closer action scenes. Eye popping stuff with unique gun holding styles and fighting sequences making you hold your breath.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Pure adrenaline, minute-a-thriller, realistic watch. That’s The Bourne Identity
I am told that there’s sequel to it by the name of The Bourne Supremacy. Hell. Can’t wait to watch this movie!
BTW, Wish you ALL a VERY HAPPY DIWALI!