Bourne Identity, The (1988)

Synopsis: A bedraggled stranger (Richard Chamberlain) is washed up on the South Coast of France, where the local doctor removes two bullets from his back and a piece of microfilm from his hip. When he wakes up, with no memory of who he is or how he ended up in the ocean, the doctor tosses him a revolver and orders him to 'break it down!' The stranger complies instinctively. After recovering from his wounds, he leaves the seaside village and, in a Swiss bank vault, discovers fifteen million dollars and his identity: Jason Bourne. Maree (Jaclyn Smith) is staying at the same hotel as Bourne. After he uses her car to escape mysterious pursuers, she becomes his unwilling - and then willing - accomplice.

A highly-trained operative searching for answers about a past he can't remember isn't exactly an original premise, but Jason Bourne is Robert Ludlum's most beloved hero for good reason. Resourceful and quick-witted one minute, disoriented the next, Bourne is a refreshingly complex character. Best known for his role as television's Dr. Kildare, Richard Chamberlain brings a charm and dignity to the title role of this made-for-television film. Playing opposite Chamberlain, another seasoned TV star, Jaclyn Smith, offers an impassioned performance as Maree, the physicality of the role, combined with the occasional assertive line of dialogue, allowing her to demonstrate some of her acting skill.

The greatest strength of The Bourne Identity is its intricate plot. Chased across Europe by two or three separate groups and plagued by nightmares, Bourne comes to believe that he is actually the notorious assassin 'Carlos', wanted for the murder of a US senator. But if Bourne is Carlos, why does he remember attending the funeral of one of the assassin's victims? What is this 'Project Treadstone' he keeps hearing about? And who is David Webb? All will be answered within 200 minutes, while the conveniently gradual recovery of Bourne's memory could fuel an infinite number of sequels.

It's not for want of plot, then, that The Bourne Identity lacks dramatic interest, it's due to the failure of the scriptwriter to balance delivery of information with sufficient character development. As unnecessary characters fill the audience in on minor details better suited to the novel, major characters are all but forgotten. The first casualty is Doctor Washburn (Denholm Elliot), characterised beautifully as he nursed Bourne back to health, but only mentioned in passing later in the film, a nagging 'loose end'. The second, much more importantly, is Maree. A certain prominence is required if she's to become a credible love interest for Bourne, but she is quickly transformed from self-assured businesswoman to witless sidekick, bringing nothing useful to the investigation into Bourne's past, and repeatedly endangering them both with her naiveté. As her blouse is torn open during an attempted rape, it's fair to question whether she's there for anything more than a bit of titillation to break up the 'spy stuff'. Consequently, Bourne's professions of love and devotion ring false.

And what is Roger Young's answer to the lack of chemistry between his protagonists? 'Spice up' the film with a slow-motion love scene. While laughable, this scene at least demonstrates the extensiveness of Bourne's training. After having the fingers of his left hand broken, he still manages to unhook Maree's bra...and he doesn't even wince. This secret agent could teach Bond a thing or two!

Part spy thriller, part bodice ripper, The Bourne Identity is ultimately unrewarding in any genre. However, it should be of sufficient interest to keep you entertained on a lazy (very long) afternoon.

 

 

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