What's in a name
THE Bourne Identity: The crew of a fishing vessel find a man (Matt Damon) floating in the sea. He’s been shot twice, he’s lost his memory and has a computer chip embedded in his hip, which is the only lead he has to his true identity.
This takes him to a bank in Zurich where he uncovers a name - Jason Bourne. He also triggers a manhunt and, with the help of Marie (Franka Potente), goes in search of some answers.
Who and why are these people chasing him? What are the dark secrets behind his name?
The Bourne Identity has all the ingredients of a good old-fashioned thriller - fights, guns, car chases and a main character struggling to survive against all the odds - yet moves at a curiously relaxed pace.
The cat and mouse nature of the battle between the hunter and the hunted helps to keep your interest, along with a few twists to keep you guessing.
The most surprising thing about The Bourne Identity is the performance of Matt Damon.
I’ve never pictured him as a lead in a spy thriller, but his keen ability to use his face and body movement in subtle ways pays off - no cocky James Bond grandstanding nor any campy one-liners here.
Thriller, 12. ****
