MovieChat Forums > The Bourne Identity (2002) Discussion > Marie is so annoying, anyone agree?

Marie is so annoying, anyone agree?

posted 9 years ago by dreaming-stranger
31 replies | jump to latest

She seemed like a flaky, grasping sort of person to me and her personality didn't fit with Jason's at all.

What sort of person would drop in on their married-with-kids ex-boyfriend with an assassin she's just met in tow? A *beep* person, that's what, with no respect for the people in her life, hence the lack thereof.

She also seemed dumb, who'd stick around with an assassin amnesiac? Unless of course their life is so devoid of interest, attention and people they love that it actually seems like a better option. I guess that's the case for her.

In conclusion, she's a friendless, flaky, attention-seeking, use-and-abuse type idiot with the dullest life on the planet.

[–] werder_bunny 9 years ago

She's not stupid, she's just a slacker and hobo. Bourne should have gotten with Nicky in that one already... I wasn't a fan of her either, but Franka Potente is a great actress.

[–] wagross 8 years ago

Marie is a gypsie, but she is honest and she works to get a living. She sides with the underdog if she thinks he has a good character. She is not only his lover, she also becomes something like a mother for him.

Gilroy's original Marie Purcel was a criminal woman. Franka Potente was offered a small role. She asked the studio to give her Marie's role, but with a different personality. Ultimately the studio agreed.

[–] clark_gillies 8 years ago

Originally in the script Marie was suppose to be a green haired hippy Canadian backpacker.... but this was soon scrapped, and after they saw Potente in Run Lola Run (that is why there is so many stories of actors out to play Bourne, with Brad Pitt being Robert Ludlums prefered choice before he died...yet they seemed to have their Marie right from the off).

That is why there is elements of Run Lola Run about Potente performance and look, as the producers loved her in that movie so much..... only problem was someone asked her to lose some weight in order to get the role (and there is moments in this movie where she does look really sickly looking) and she did not take kindly to this, but went along with it (that is why she is more healthy looking in Supremacy, as she went back to her normal size after Identity finished)

[–] Pequod88 8 years ago

Great post. Franka Potente is exceptional. I first saw her in Run Lola Run (highly recommended). Her Marie is not only one of the reasons the first film is so successful, her tragic death in Supremacy and Bourne's memories of her in Ultimatum drive much of the emotional heft of the series. Avenging her murder motivates Bourne, making him a more interesting character. The Bourne series is smarter than the average action/thriller. Potente's Marie is a central reason for this. Julia Stiles and Joan Allen are also essential. The casting of Chris Cooper (Matewan), Brian Cox (The Boxer) and Albert Finney (Under the Volcano, The Dresser, Shoot the Moon) also gives the series a boost.

[–] imranbecks 8 years ago

Her role had a purpose and not just there as a stereotypical women in movies like this. I still don't like the way she died in the 2nd one though. Pretty sudden and tragic.

[–] clark_gillies 8 years ago

Agree.

Marie is just a simple woman off the street.... she is not suppose to know how to get herself out of scrapes like Jason and she is not used to having government agents coming after her (which she shows perfectly after the Castel fight where she is sick on the street and in the Mini where she had to go buy a bottle of whisky) yet Franka also gives her a street wise confidence also (ie the scene where Bourne made a second by second plan to get the bill from the hotel John Michael Kane was staying in.... and yet she got the bill just by asking.... this scene always makes me laugh!)..... basically Franka makes the character believable, but gives her that air of confidence that she is not your typical damsel in distress.

[–] escadamausgaby 8 years ago

What are you talking about Potente is awful, and rightfully so her career never took off. Nowadays she writes children's books about Japanese food or something.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

What are you talking about? She's made plenty of films and she was great in the Bourne Identity. You just don't seem to like her for some reason.

[–] IzzyNoya 8 years ago

Annoying, not really. I'm partial to women with German accents.

You seem very bitter, though. Such hatred in your words.

[–] jorgemgarcia25 8 years ago

Sounds like you're attracted to her and desire her, but are bothered that she might be the type of woman who wouldn't look at you twice. Usually when people get so angry, it's due to frustration.

I think she's simply a young woman who was down on her luck a bit and fell for a charming, good looking and bad ass dude who she felt might not be all that bad at heart. Happens all the time. Babes dig the Jason Bourne's of the world. I know it hurts, but you just got to deal with it, or remake yourself to be a bit more like him.

[–] McQueen1980 8 years ago

SHE IS AN IDEAL partner for jason bourne

she has a name but no real identity, just a pretty girl floating in the wind

[–] escadamausgaby 8 years ago

she's not unattractive, but pretty? Naah

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Certainly attractive

[–] truther 8 years ago

She's hands-down one of the best things about the whole trilogy. Notice how after she leaves there's way too much emphasis on the CIA, because there's no counterbalance anymore with a normal, sober, honest outsider who can give an audience-eye view of what's going on. Potente killed her role and it's a shame she couldn't have more screen time.

[–] Lucy9596 8 years ago

Agreed

Finch: "In all the time I’ve known him he’s never let me down.”
"Goodbye, Harold."

****

[–] starryeyedgirl1 8 years ago

I disagree. I loved her.

I thought Eamon(?) was her step brother who's family had money, not ex. I have no idea, but she did not DROP in. She thought he wouldn't be there.

She didn't know Bourne was an assassin until after the man showed up in the window I believe. By then, she already grew attached to him so of course she couldn't just leave. He wasn't violent towards her or anything so what does him being an assassin have to do with it. He was actually keeping her safe since she was already on their radar.

Also If she did leave him, can you imagine what a horrible story that would be. "Oh I met an assassin who lost his memory. He needed a ride so I helped him out. Oh yeah and the people who hired him are trying to kill him."

"Then what happened?"

"I don't know. I dropped him off..."

Most people's lives are boring (work, school, errands, whatever), but Marie looked liked she kept to herself most of the time.

Remember the scene where Bourne is going to check the hotel (or bank) and she says something like "if you go, you'd probably just forget about me".

This isn't just Marie, but most people I have seen. Everyone has a desire to be remembered or feel important to somebody. Even the loudest, most confident people have an obsession with being remembered.

I think in Marie's case she feels dull, boring or not exciting enough for someone like him. I mean that's one of the reasons why people can forget you after a while. Classmates, etc.

Yes, it can be seen as insecurity, but I think it's probably just based on her experience. People probably leave her for that exact reason. She's also different and a little eccentric. that's probably why she preferred a solitary/nomad lifestyle. She leaves, instead of the other way around.

Then Bourne says "How could I forget you...etc" and that seals the deal for her also. He's not as conceited and superficial as most people. He doesn't mind listening to her talk, when she thinks she's rambling. He actually enjoys it. Some would find her annoying (like you) instead of real and refreshing. She's an actual person who gets nervous, upset, scared, whatever.

You sound angry for no reason.

This love will be your downfall

[–] eddiewinehosen 8 years ago

First, she didn't drop in on her married-with-kids ex-boyfriend on purpose because they thought the house was empty. They even call ahead to check if someone answers.

Second, in the movie it's said she lived there a couple of months 5 years ago and none of the kids look to be any older then 4 so it's a very likely scenario that she didn't even knew he was married or had kids.

Third, she didn't know what he was and was desperate for money when they met. When they finally find out what he is they are already romantically involved so she doesn't just stick around an assassin amnesiac at that point.

Fourth, I thought she fit perfectly for the part. Refreshingly Hollywood didn't pick some blond, silicone filled bimbo but an actress that looked and fit the part.

Fifth, the questions and assumptions you make about her makes me wonder if you even saw the movie and if you did you weren't paying attention.

[–] kenny-164 8 years ago

First of all I think this film was perfect for Matt Damon, but beyond him the film works (and I think Chris Cooper is great, btw) primarily because of Franka Potente. Brilliant casting if you ask me, not using some glossy looking chick in the role.

Go back if you can to when you saw the film the first time, and Marie first appears. Imo it was not obvious what role she would play in the ensuing narrative. Because that narrative worked better when the plot turn that her introduction amounted to was not immediately apparent. Franka is part of what makes this film work.

[–] Aarooooooon 8 years ago

I disagree. I love her and she's one of my favorite characters in the Bourne universe. I didn't think she was annoying at all.