Some directors make a big noise about a new film. As such even casual film fans can identify them as the director of certain films. Doug Liman is not one of these directors, he is the quiet man who lets his films speak for themselves, that is why he is the director you didn’t know that you loved, many people wouldn’t recognise him as the director of many of his biggest films. Is this because he hasn’t made any good films? Clearly not, he has made a few good films and three or four great ones.
Doug Liman made his breakthrough with his second feature, the often imitated Swingers (1996). Based on a script from first time writer Jon Favreau, it isn’t a perfect film, its far less polished than we have come to expect from Liman, but the shakyness adds to the charm. It was also the breakthrough film for Favreau as an actor, and his co star Vince Vaughn. 
Next up is my personal favourite of Liman’s movies, Go (1999). Katie Holmes, Sarah Polley, Timothy Olyphant, William Fichtner, and Taye Diggs may now be household names, but back in 1999, they were all relatively unknown. With three overlapping stories on the streets of LA, comparisons to Pulp Fiction were inevitable. But this is a more down to earth, a realistic LA inhabited by people we all recognise, without the glow of Michael Mann or the pop culture cool of Quentin Tarantino. Directed with fun and confidence it was one of the best films of a very strong year. 
Everyone knows that Paul Greengrass is the brilliant auteur director behind the Bourne movies, many forget the first, and my favourite of the series The Bourne Identity (2002) was directed by Doug Liman. Liman had to do all the heavy lifting to introduce and position the character, something he does with ease and confidence. The casting of Matt Damon and Franka Potente was inspired and nothing short of perfect. The action scenes were a revelation making it one of the most influential films of the genre since Die Hard. 
A more lightweight take on the genre Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) may not be a masterpiece, but it is good fun and worth watching for the chemistry between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Jumper (2008) is silly and disposable, but it’s good fun, and better than the book on which it is based. The true life thriller Fair Game (2010) lacks the excitement and flair to make it a great film, but it is a good and underrated one with fantastic performances. 
What is the best Sci-Fi movie of the decade? That’s a question for another day but the conversation must include the sublime Edge of Tomorrow (2014). The tricky time-loop story is handled with ease and invention. The action is amazing. But best of all, the cast led by Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt is fantastic. Cruise has fun playing against type as an initially cowardly character. Blunt is an unlikely but brilliant action star. I am really looking forward to the recently confirmed sequel: Live Die Repeat and Repeat. 
Currently on general release in the UK and due for a North American release next week, American Made (2017) reteams star Tom Cruise with Liman. A sometimes comic take on the true story of Barry Seal, a pilot who simultaneously worked for the CIA and Pablo Escobar during the war on drugs of the 70’s and 80’s. Not the best film from either director or star, but with the fun and charisma you expect from both. I don’t expect to see it on many “best of” lists at the end of the year, but I do think most people who sees it to enjoy it. 
If I haven’t convinced you, go and watch: Go, The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow and you, like me will be looking out for Doug Liman’s next movie with a certain sense of excitement.
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