![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.mindbodyheartandsoul.org/video/the-bourne-identity/&media=https://www.mindbodyheartandsoul.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/The-Bourne-Identity.jpg&description=<h2><span style="color: #993366;">The Bourne Identity</span></h2>
There have been a bare handful of spy films that feature relatively realistic spy thrillers, especially recently with a concentration on spectacular movies that have less substance than cotton candy. The Bourne Identity is one film that is realistic.
<h3><span style="color: #993366;">Observations</span></h3>
While "Bourne" does not have a particularly deep plot, it is consistent and focused. The focus is entirely upon Bourne and how he is to deal with having no memory of his past, being hunted without knowing why. This may be confusing for some, but having everything spelled out in the movie often smacks of unreality in the first place; the essence of espionage is drawing conclusions from very sketchy information. Only Disney films or TV's Scooby Doo has everything explained in the end. We never find out about what is in about Bourne's past.
<h3><span style="color: #993366;">Movie vs Book</span></h3>
Some have said that there is incompatibility between the book and the movie, seek help. There are probably several things that work in the book that would either be boring and take too much screen time to explain, or would be viewed as cliche to modern screen audiences. Any movie adaptation is an interpretation of the book rather than a translation from words to pictures anyway.
<h3><span style="color: #993366;">Realism</span></h3>
As for realism, most of the action scenes are believable, no super-gadgets are to be seen, no incredibly lovely models fall madly in bed with Bourne, and the hero shows definite signs of physical vulnerability despite a very high level of training and competance. As someone who has trained in martial arts for over 10 years, unrealistic fight scenes are a pet peeve. The fights in "Bourne" are fast, nasty, and very realistic while still being entertaining for the layman. (And yes, taking a gun away from some idiot who is standing well within your striking radius without getting shot is definitely doable, though I had serious doubts until we tested it for ourselves with plastic dart guns in the dojo several years ago).
<h3><span style="color: #993366;">Simplicity</span></h3>
While not being perfect, "The Bourne Identity" is, simply put, several grades above the typical spy film. Being focused on an individual level rather than involving itself huge political ramifications lends it another layer of respectability. This doesn't detract from it as some comments have implied since it remains a human problem on a comprehensible scale. The mysteries that are left are bigger mysteries for Bourne than us. They should be viewed as intentional omissions rather than loose ends. The implausibilities are kept to a minimum and the realism to as high a level as possible. All while still being spectacular enough to meet the expectations of the genre.)
The Bourne Identity
There have been a bare handful of spy films that feature relatively realistic spy thrillers, especially recently with a concentration on spectacular movies that have less substance than cotton candy. The Bourne Identity is one film that is realistic.
Observations
While “Bourne” does not have a particularly deep plot, it is consistent and focused. The focus is entirely upon Bourne and how he is to deal with having no memory of his past, being hunted without knowing why. This may be confusing for some, but having everything spelled out in the movie often smacks of unreality in the first place; the essence of espionage is drawing conclusions from very sketchy information. Only Disney films or TV’s Scooby Doo has everything explained in the end. We never find out about what is in about Bourne’s past.
Movie vs Book
Some have said that there is incompatibility between the book and the movie, seek help. There are probably several things that work in the book that would either be boring and take too much screen time to explain, or would be viewed as cliche to modern screen audiences. Any movie adaptation is an interpretation of the book rather than a translation from words to pictures anyway.
Realism
As for realism, most of the action scenes are believable, no super-gadgets are to be seen, no incredibly lovely models fall madly in bed with Bourne, and the hero shows definite signs of physical vulnerability despite a very high level of training and competance. As someone who has trained in martial arts for over 10 years, unrealistic fight scenes are a pet peeve. The fights in “Bourne” are fast, nasty, and very realistic while still being entertaining for the layman. (And yes, taking a gun away from some idiot who is standing well within your striking radius without getting shot is definitely doable, though I had serious doubts until we tested it for ourselves with plastic dart guns in the dojo several years ago).
Simplicity
While not being perfect, “The Bourne Identity” is, simply put, several grades above the typical spy film. Being focused on an individual level rather than involving itself huge political ramifications lends it another layer of respectability. This doesn’t detract from it as some comments have implied since it remains a human problem on a comprehensible scale. The mysteries that are left are bigger mysteries for Bourne than us. They should be viewed as intentional omissions rather than loose ends. The implausibilities are kept to a minimum and the realism to as high a level as possible. All while still being spectacular enough to meet the expectations of the genre.
