Both Jason Bourne, the assassin in Bourne Ultimatum (2007) directed by Paul Greengrass (which I saw on Sunday), and Avner, the Israeli assassin in Steven Spielberg's Munich (2005) experience similar existential crises. A Newsweek critic's observations about Munich in the December 19th 2005 issue loosely applies to Bourne Ultimatum as well: "With each assassination, the sense of triumph diminishes for the increasingly troubled agents. It also becomes clear that the longer they stay in the game, the more likely they are to become prey themselves."
Both the characters are the best at their jobs in their respective movies, but realize that killing people for their country and their Intelligence bosses, doesn't make them happy anymore. Rather, it jeopardizes their mental health, and lives of their loved ones. Avner goes through depression and psychological trauma throughout the latter half of movie. Bourne is depressed after he murders Desh, the Moroccan assassin. He let's the severely injured Paz live, though he could have killed him at short-range. Luckily for Bourne, Paz remembers this, and spares Bourne's life at the end of the movie. It's almost as if both Bourne and Avner begin to realize the operation of the Law Of Karma - The more they kill, the more harrowing their lives would be.
I find this perspective refreshing, and a significant change from the macho Clint Eastwood/Charles Bronson/Rambo-like heroes who would annihilate their enemies ruthlessly, much to their audience's delight. I can see the development of a more human and realistic hero who is both mentally and emotionally vulnerable. Both Bourne and Avner consciously or unconsciously come to the realization that killing is ethically wrong, and that killing for even patriotic causes and national security, is a double-edged sword.
Both the characters are the best at their jobs in their respective movies, but realize that killing people for their country and their Intelligence bosses, doesn't make them happy anymore. Rather, it jeopardizes their mental health, and lives of their loved ones. Avner goes through depression and psychological trauma throughout the latter half of movie. Bourne is depressed after he murders Desh, the Moroccan assassin. He let's the severely injured Paz live, though he could have killed him at short-range. Luckily for Bourne, Paz remembers this, and spares Bourne's life at the end of the movie. It's almost as if both Bourne and Avner begin to realize the operation of the Law Of Karma - The more they kill, the more harrowing their lives would be.I find this perspective refreshing, and a significant change from the macho Clint Eastwood/Charles Bronson/Rambo-like heroes who would annihilate their enemies ruthlessly, much to their audience's delight. I can see the development of a more human and realistic hero who is both mentally and emotionally vulnerable. Both Bourne and Avner consciously or unconsciously come to the realization that killing is ethically wrong, and that killing for even patriotic causes and national security, is a double-edged sword.
This existential crisis is complicated by the fact that the leaders giving assassination orders in the name of national security, are often corrupt and spineless men and women who are more concerned with becoming more powerful even at the risk of other innocent countrymen's lives. Both the heroes begin to question the motives of the organizations that created them and of their leaders.
Both Bourne and Avner realize that they have not created any positive change in the world through their various assignments, and wonder at the futility of their existence.
Both Bourne and Avner realize that they have not created any positive change in the world through their various assignments, and wonder at the futility of their existence.
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