THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
US, 2004, 105 minutes, Colour.
Matt Damon, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Franka Potente, Julia Styles, Karl Urban.
Directed by Paul Greengrass.
Robert Ludlum was, perhaps, the key popular American novelist of the Cold War, with Russian-US conspiracies as well as those of Neo-Nazis? and the kinds of power-hungry megalomaniacs that are the villains of the James Bond stories. While Ludlum died in 2001, novels under his name are still appearing and the movie franchise from his Jason Bourne trilogy has proven very successful in this era of terrorism.
Jason Bourne was effectively introduced in 2002 in The Bourne Identity. He was an amnesiac with the instincts of a trained spy and killer. Which he was. However, we followed the exciting steps he took to discover who he was and how the world’s intelligence agencies had used him. Now he is back because the agencies are using him as a fall guy to cover some secret Russian American collaboration in money deals in the early 1990s – and he wants to know who he is setting him. In fact, we first guess who it is and then know before he does. This means that while we are one step ahead of him as he travels from Goa to Naples to Berlin to Moscow, we are caught up in his use of his wits to get out of deadly situations as well as to expose and wreak vengeance on the villains.
And quite an exciting trip it is. In the hands of director Paul Greengrass (documentaries on the killing of British Stephen Lawrence as well as the award-winning Bloody Sunday), it is non-stop pulsating. The credits name two editors – and they must have had their work cut out since the film is so fast-paced, so many of the edits lasting only a few seconds. There is so much hand-held camera work that the audience feels that it is right in there, trying to keep pace with Bourne. There is also a pulsating and pounding score and, in a big cinema, with the sound turned up, especially during one of the most hectic car chases you’ll see, through the Moscow streets and tunnels, you can forgive yourself for feeling somewhat exhausted even though you have been simply sitting in your seat.
Matt Damon now successfully embodies Jason Bourne. Some of the original cast are back: Brian Cox, Chris Cooper (glimpsed in flashback), Franka Potente and Julia Styles. The best addition is Joan Allen as a CIA field commander who is determined to get Bourne and has to discover that he is not the enemy. A stylish and absorbing action thriller that will please conspiracy theorists. And Ludlum has provided the title for the next instalment, The Bourne Ultimatum.
1. The popularity of the initial film? Espionage, in the 21st century, the role of the CIA and other agencies, post-Cold War conspiracies?
2. The world of Robert Ludlum, his imagination, espionage and conspiracies, situations, the life of spies, consciences, dangers, chases? The breathless chases of the novel transferred to breathless chases on-screen? The hazards for the spy?
3. The film and its focus on Bourne’s situation, dangers, mystery, chases? Pace? The continually moving camera, the busy editing? The sense of Bourne on the run? The musical score and its pounding effect?
4. The locations for Bourne’s journey, from peace in India to atonement in Moscow, to a return to his real life? The use of holiday locations in Goa, the realities of espionage and its traditions in Berlin, life in Moscow and the chase, Naples, Langley and the CIA offices, the culmination in New York City? An authentic atmosphere, for characters, the use of locations as characters – rather than for tourism?
5. Bourne’s nightmares, the collage at the beginning of his past, his amnesia? His relationship with Marie from the first film, together in Goa, his waking, jogging, her shopping, spotting the assassin, the chase, the crash from the bridge? Marie’s death? Bourne and his burning the documents, the photos – and keeping one and it being a recurring theme, Marie as a motivation for not killing Ward Abbott?
6. Berlin, the issue of the files, the criminals and the setting up of the explosion, the stealing of the files? Pamela Landy and her being in charge, the surveillance unit, her competence, her phoning Langley, the explosion and things going wrong? Her wanting more information? Going to Langley, the discussions with the boss, the discovery of the Dreadstone Program and its being abolished? The discussions with Abbott, her pursuit of the truth?
7. The assassin, his returning from India, the meeting with the criminals at the Berlin airport? His saying that Bourne was dead? The financial deals, the stealing of the CIA money, the files with the connection to Abbott? The return to Moscow?
8. Bourne and his arrival in Naples, the interrogation, the man from the consulate, Bourne’s attack, taking his car, listening device, driving north through Italy, the Alps and Germany? The arrival in Berlin, watching Pamela through the binoculars, the phone call, his puzzle as to what was going on, the accusations because of the fingerprint in the explosion? His asking for Nicky to meet him, the protesters in Alexander Platz, getting on the tram, evading the pursuers, his interrogation of her, its being taped, his leaving her and escaping?
9. Berlin, his memories of the case, going to the internet, finding out about his first assassination, the memory of his mentor speaking to him, the training? Going to the hotel, to the room, remembering the situation and the assassination? The police in pursuit, his fleeing over the roofs, the chases, the train, the barge, the bridge? His being injured? His escaping, the surveillance showing that he went on the train to Moscow?
10. Abbott, his place in the CIA, thirty years, with his assistant and the corruption, the CIA money? His unwilling cooperation with Pamela? His going to Berlin? With Nicky? His killing his associate? The truth, Bourke confronting him, taping him, his shooting himself? The importance of the tape for Pamela and the resolution of her case?
11. Nicky, the student, her role in the first film, her going to Berlin, his seeing her through the binoculars, wanting her to be the contact, the puzzle, the interrogation?
12. Pamela, her efficiency, her need for further information, the work, listening, her attitude towards Bourne, with Abbott, going to the CIA headquarters? Her change of attitude, learning more of the truth, going to the hotel? Seeing that he went to Moscow? The arrest of the criminals in Moscow?
13. Bourne in Moscow, the taxi, getting information about the daughter of the assassinated politician, the assassin pursuing under the guise of the police, shooting and his being wounded, the elaborate car chase through the streets of Moscow, the crash in the tunnel, the death of the assassin?
14. Bourne and his going to the daughter of the politician, telling the truth, the need for a confession and some kind of atonement?
15. New York City, Pamela, his watching her, her giving him the truth about his identity?
16. Espionage and conspiracies, the values of this kind of world, secrecy, espionage? Greed, error, authoritarianism, ruthlessness – and the continued need for conscience?
