Film Review - Quantum of Solace
007 Out for Revenge in Action Packed Sequel to Casino Royale
Nov 6, 2008
Bond is back with a brooding, vengeful sequel to Casino Royale. Daniel Craig's second venture into the maelstrom sees the return of a ripped, muscular 007, but this time minus the Speedos. It doesn't seem to matter. Bond still has a way with women, winning over both Agent Fields (Gemma Arterton) and Camille (Olga Kurylenko) in Quantum with his animal magnetism.
Bond Franchise Excels with Judi Dench's M
There are two more significant women in Bond's life. The ghost of sacrificial lamb Vesper Lynd haunts his every move, much as he denies it, and his straight talking, buttoned up boss M. It's an attempt on M's life, as much as it is revenge for Vesper, that acts as the catalyst for Bond in Quantum of Solace. Thought and action have carried over from the previous film and continue with returning characters such as Mathis (Giancarlo Giannini) and Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright). But it is the ongoing drama between Bond and his boss that is really fueling the fire. Their relationship quietly and compellingly meditates in the background, in a way that simply would not happen if M was still played by a man. The decision to bring Judi Dench on board was surely one of the best ever taken by the Bond franchise.
Quantum Vs SPECTRE - Is Mathieu Amalric a Baddie of Blofield Proportions?
Quantum of Solace is packed with all the action and energy Bond films necessitate, but it is underpinned by a dramatic, complex plot, actually requiring more than a modicum of thought from its viewers. Mathieu Amalric plays Dominic Greene, an atypical Bond baddie who is more accountant than assassin, albeit a cruel and devious one. His affiliation with the covert Quantum organisation is bound to spark flickers of malevolent joy for Bond fans, so similar is the set up to Ernst Stavro Blofield's terrorist organisation SPECTRE.
SPECTRE is not the only shadow looming from previous Bond incarnations either. Quantum of Solace has dared to re-introduce a handful of acerbic one liners, handled admirably by Daniel Craig. Nothing to the extent of Roger Moore's eyebrow raising double entendres, don't worry, but momentary comic relief from what is a very dark film. Craig's blue eyes, sparkling with mischief at times, convey the message that he is very comfortable in the skin of 007. He obviously relishes the opportunity of playing up to the famously dry-witted persona, given half a chance. When he first meets Agent Fields, she announces their cover - they are teachers on sabbatical. Refusing to consider staying in the dive she has selected, Bond audaciously sweeps her off to a much more glamorous locale, nodding to the Maitre d' as he says “ We're teachers on sabbatical....and we just won the lottery.”
Marc Forster on Directing Quantum of Solace
Marc Forster, the director of Quantum, was not an obvious choice for Bond. Previous films such as Finding Neverland and The Kite Runner exhibit moody, poetic visuals rather than all out action. Speaking at a press conference at Pinewood studios Forster explained his decision to helm Quantum:
"James Bond is a part of film history and in that sense I think it’s something really exciting and interesting, to be a part of... I was, in that sense, very intrigued ...Daniel Craig took the franchise in a different direction and he’s such a superb actor that I thought there was a possibility to explore something with him, which I was interested in.”
It turned out to be a well-founded decision. Quantum of Solace boasts eye-strainingly frenetic action, an imposing major scene cut majestically to an operatic soundtrack, and several adrenalin filled chase sequences. It's also punctuated by pleasurable minor touches such as the context maintaining lettering for the inter-titles that inform what country Bond is in. Well, if you can't experiment with extravagant typefaces in a Bond film, where can you?
Olga Kurylenko is a Kick Ass Bond Girl
New Bond girl Camille is also given full licence to thrill in Quantum. She has her own agenda, which she pursues with a steely determination. M aside, Camille is one of the strongest roles ever written for a woman in a Bond film. She even rivals Tomorrow Never Dies Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) at kicking ass. The only down side is that with all her own baggage to handle, Camille's relationship with 007 boils down to little more than convenience. But as Bond isn't over Vesper yet, a full blown love affair would hardly have rung true anyway.
In the end, Bond comes down to the performance of one man. Daniel Craig is living embodiment of the theory every era gets the Bond that befits. So although Quantum struggles to reach the exceedingly high bar set by Casino Royale, Bond himself goes from strength to strength. Is he the best Bond ever? He might just be.
- Quantum of Solace
- Starring Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench
- Written by Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade
- Directed by Marc Forster
- Running time: 106 minutes
Further reading: Best of British James Bond Baddies.
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