[Quick Summary: Bourne and Marie are on the run once again.]
There are a lot of articles on how to INCREASE tension, but fewer on how to EXIT.
Is the exit important? Yes, because tension relies on emotions rising and falling. If it stayed high at all times, it would be very exhausting and also boring.
In these Bourne films, I like the exits because they demonstrate the necessity of the emotional release before the next round of tension.
For example, in the scene below:
- The CIA is chasing Bourne.
- Bourne is starting to remember things and who he is.
- Bourne calls the CIA for a meeting because he "wants to come in."
- Bourne demands the CIA send in Nicky, someone he trusts.
- Nicky is a psychologist who helped Bourne with his meds and psychology on his last mission.
- When they meet, Bourne demands Nicky confirm things in his file.
- The scene exits with a show of mercy and emotional self-control.
- The exit lets the tension out, but also leaves us with more questions.
- Because there's a reprieve, we're ready for the next round of tension.
INT. PARKING GARAGE -- DAY
...BOURNE: For Treadstone. In Berlin. You know my file. I did a job here. When?
NICKY: No. You never worked Berlin.
BOURNE: My first job.
NICKY: Your first assignment was Geneva.
BOURNE: That's a lie!
NICKY (emphatic): You never worked Berlin...
BOURNE raising the gun -- eyes gone dead -- oh, shit...
NICKY (CONT'D): No...Jason...please...
BOURNE: I was here!
NICKY: ...it's not in the file...I swear...I know your file...your first job was Geneva! ...I swear to God you never worked here!...
He's so ready to kill her. NICKY starting to cry -- hands over her face -- covering up -- bracing for the bullet she knows is coming --
BOURNE -- about to pull the trigger --
SUDDENLY
FLASHBACK! -- a moment -- a shard -- A WOMAN'S FACE -- backing away -- begging -- begging us -- begging the camera -- PLEADING FOR HER LIFE IN RUSSIAN -- this awful blur of desperation and panic -- fear -- too fast -- too panicked --
JAM BACK TO
BOURNE swamped -- thrown -- hesitating -- [I particularly liked this line because it shows Bourne's growth, as well as emotional self-control.]
CLOSE ON NICKY
Sobbing now -- when? -- finally looking out, and --
BOURNE IS GONE!
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I think how you exit a scene is as important as how you enter because they (the exits) are transitions to the next round of emotions.
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)(9/17/03 draft, revised)
by Tony Gilroy and Brian Helgeland
Based on the novel by Robert Ludlum and the 2002 Universal Film "The Bourne Identity"
