
CASINO ROYALE
(17 Nov 2006) Director:
Martin Campbell
Written by: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Paul
Haggis
Although the poster on the right was used, I like the one on the
left (the teaser) because he looks as lethal as he does suave, and
that's what Bond is all about. Yes, it's a James Bond movie, but with a twist.
Yes, there are "Bond girls", but this time, the real eye candy is
Bond. First they show us
how all-out in great physical shape he is by opening with one hell of a fistfight,
and then
they cut to an intense chase scene using
Parkour! If that wasn't enough,
they show him in that unforgettable
Grigio Perla
blue bathing suit. This is
clearly not the soft Bond of the past who required
so much suspension of disbelief. Not only is he now physically
up to the challenge, he's razor sharp mentally, and no more
crazy gadgets. At every
turn, he uses his powers of deduction as much as his strength in a script
that is as intelligent as it is action packed.
They
do a very good job of setting up the scenario of
a money-hungry villain with a gambling problem, and use that to introduce
a female character
from Her Majesty's Treasury to work with Bond, which leads to love.
The Bond we knew would never have consoled a woman by holding her in
the shower like this; being there for her when she needed someone.
This is Bond? This is Bond in love. This early loss (in his career) of this love creates the Bond we
know later. Seeing the story behind all the years after of the character's
cold emotions brings him full circle for the audience.
The entire movie up to the
point of Bond's declaration of love (and WHAT a declaration it is!)
can be seen as fate, and after he gives up everything for love, he loses
it. Although he believed Vesper loved him, when he thought she was
betraying him for the money, the pain must have been unbearable
since he not only gave himself to her, but was ready to give up his
career as well. Then, as Vesper sacrificed her life seemingly for her crimes,
suddenly none of it mattered. He forgave her and was still in love.
This broke him. It is a very hard thing to be in love with someone
who wrongs you, and still love them no matter what. When Bond finds out
Vesper
did what she did to save him and not her old boyfriend, it brings him back.
Evidence of the strength of Bond's love is that they made Quantum of
Solace where he not only avenges her death by revealing the
truth, but manages to overcome his "blunt instrument" label
(I believe this remark was directed at his emotions not his
intelligence, that his feelings were dulled by his training to kill),
and keep his emotions in check by not killing the man who used her
and set her up. I like to think Bond spared him for her. Knowing how
much she once loved her French Algerian boyfriend, Bond stops him from doing it to any
other girls, and gets him sent to jail.
It will be very
interesting to see how this plays into Bond's ladies man persona in
subsequent films. We always knew his 'wife' died but we never
suspected he was just having sex and never falling in love because
he had once loved so strongly. As if those relationships are so meaningless
because this one was so meaningful.
I love how the romance starts. The dialogue here and the
play on poker and bluffing is as good as it gets in scriptwriting:
VESPER
(Hands him her card. It reads:
"Vesper Lynd, International Liaison Officer, HM Treasury")
The treasury has agreed to stake you in the
game.
JAMES
"Vesper." I do hope you gave your parents hell for that.
VESPER
(accepting menu from waiter)
Thank you.
Your boss must be well connected. I've never
seen so much go out the door so quickly.
JAMES
Or quite so stylishly. May I ask you where
it is?
Ten million was wired to your account in
Montenegro, with a contingency for five more if
I deem it a prudent investment. I suppose
you've given some thought to the notion that if
you lose, our government will have directly
financed terrorism?
(looking at the menu)
What looks good?
(After dinner . . . )
VESPER
So, you're telling me it's a matter of
probability and odds. I was worried there was
some chance involved.
JAMES
Well, only if you assume that the player with
the best hand wins.
VESPER
So, there will be what you call bluffing.
JAMES
You've heard the term. Then you'll also know
that in poker you never play your hand. You play
the man across from you.
VESPER
And you're good at reading people?
JAMES
Yes, I am. Which is why I've been able to detect
an undercurrent of sarcasm in your voice.
VESPER
And now I'm assured our money is in good
hands.
JAMES
You don't think this is a very good plan, do
you?
VESPER
So there is a plan. I got the impression we
were risking millions of dollars and
hundreds of lives on a game of luck. What
else can you surmise, Mr. Bond.
JAMES
About you, Miss Lynd? Well, your beauty is a
problem. You worry you won't be taken seriously.
Which one can say of any attractive
woman with half a brain.
True, but this one overcompensates by
wearing slightly masculine clothing and
being more aggressive colleagues, which
gives her a somewhat prickly demeanor, and
ironically enough, makes it less likely for
her to be accepted and promoted by her male
superiors, who mistake her insecurities for
arrogance.
Now I'd have normally gone with only child,
but, um, you see, by the way you ignored the
quip about your parents, I'm gonna have to
go with orphan.
VESPER
All right. By the cut of your suit, you went
to Oxford or wherever, and naturally think
human beings dress like that. But you wear
it with such disdain, my guess is you didn't
come from money, and your school friends
never let you forget it. Which means you
were at that school by the grace of someone
else's charity, hence the chip on your
shoulder. And since your first thought ran
to orphan, that's what I'd say you are.
Oh, you are. I like this poker thing. And
that makes perfect sense, since MI6 looks
for maladjusted young men that give little
though to sacrificing others in order to
protect Queen and country. You know, former
SAS types with easy smiles and expensive
watches.
(looking at this watch)
VESPER
Beautiful. Now having just met you, I
wouldn't go as far as calling you a
cold-hearted bastard.
JAMES
VESPER
But it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine. You
think of women as disposable pleasures
rather than meaningful pursuits. So as
charming as you are, Mr. Bond, I will be
keeping my eye on our government's money,
and off your perfectly formed ass.
JAMES
VESPER
Even accountants have imagination. How was
your lamb?
JAMES
Skewered. One sympathizes.
VESPER
JAMES
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