Italian authorities are really EFFING up this film

Makeshift Python wrote:

Bond ladies sounds classier than Bond girls.

Halle Berry said Jinx was the the next step in the "evolution" of the Bond Girl. Now Monica Belluci says she is the next step in the "revolution" of the Bond Girl. Stop the world, I want to get off!

I want to go back to a simpler time...when Bond Girls were mindless fluff like Dink...and Goodnight...and whoever that woman was by the pool in FYEO that said "Ah! Ah!". Nowadays a role has to "mean something" in order for an actress to clear her conscience and accept a part.

The last time that happened, we got Stacy Sutton - one part hydrological expert, one part sorority girl.

The problem is not in the depiction of the character on-screen, but the representation by the actor off-screen. There's nothing wrong with an intelligent character or a dim one; the problem lies in the actors or the directors or the writers trying to present the character as something that they aren't.

Prisoner Monkeys wrote:

The last time that happened, we got Stacy Sutton - one part hydrological expert, one part sorority girl.

The problem is not in the depiction of the character on-screen, but the representation by the actor off-screen. There's nothing wrong with an intelligent character or a dim one; the problem lies in the actors or the directors or the writers trying to present the character as something that they aren't.

I was just having a laugh. My favorite Bond Girls, I don't think, would have been considered bimbos. They are:

#1 Natalya
#2 Kara
#3 Holly
#4 Gala Brand Miranda Frost
#5 Fatima Blush
#6 Elektra King
#7 May day
#8 Domino Vitale
#9 Fiona Volpe
#10 Xenia Onatopp

Honorable mention:
Octopussy
Pam

I just get tired of the talking points that these actresses are given to recite; I can still remember Tanya Roberts' quote in STARLOG Magazine regarding her role in AVTAK: "Stacy is not just a pretty girl on Bond's arm. She's very strong, bright, and independent. It's a really good character, an important role in moving the story on." Really? Did she see the movie? She does know she "acted" in this film, does she not?

Some good choices there.

I'm happy to see that no-one has really mischaracterised their roles since DAD. Bellucci's comments aren't exactly anything new, but following SF, I'm confident Mendes can pull it off so that her comments prove true.

And let's be honest - there's already a ring of truth to them. When was the last time an actor her age was cast in a Bond film, much less a character written to be her age?

Wasn't sure where to put this, but this thread seems to be the de facto Italy discussion, so they can go here - Craig and Bellucci on location in Rome:

I've given up noting the usual "this Bond girl is different". They'll always do that. They have to in order to make it seem new and fresh. That's how you promote films. It may be bullshit, but it is what it is. When they keep doing that, I don't acknowledge it anymore.

Well there is some truth to it, in terms of her age.
Who was the oldest prior to this movie? Maud Adams?

Both Maud Adams and Honor Blackman were the oldest leading actresses at 38.

Bellucci looks great, doesn't she? As for different, the last few women really were more memorable than the average IMO, have to give them that. I love how they handle the characters. Though Vesper was not written as good as in the book, was something lacking there. But the best move was to give M the central stage. Overall I like how they treat the female roles, hope they keep up the good work.

Gravity's Silhouette wrote:

Makeshift Python wrote:

Bond ladies sounds classier than Bond girls.

Halle Berry said Jinx was the the next step in the "evolution" of the Bond Girl. Now Monica Belluci says she is the next step in the "revolution" of the Bond Girl. Stop the world, I want to get off!

I want to go back to a simpler time...when Bond Girls were mindless fluff like Dink...and Goodnight...and whoever that woman was by the pool in FYEO that said "Ah! Ah!". Nowadays a role has to "mean something" in order for an actress to clear her conscience and accept a part.  

I bet you have a Bibi Dahl shrine at home where you worship and pray for the return of the bubble-head Bond Girl.

Arguably, Monica has crossed an important step, this is the age of the Bond Girl MILF and we'll be seeing more mature girls in the future, with mature roles to suit.

bitchcraft wrote:

Arguably, Monica has crossed an important step, this is the age of the Bond Girl MILF and we'll be seeing more mature girls in the future, with mature roles to suit.

This is the age of CGI...they'll probably Photoshop the hell out of her. Monica's real life red-carpet appearances are in stark contrast to the heavily Photoshopped pictures of her that are being used to promote the film. Babs Coltrane and the rest of the PR department will be touting how diverse and progressive the Craig films have been when casting the female roles, then hypocritically turn around and edit out the neck wrinkles Miss Bellucci has. You can't embrace being 50 then turn around and deceive the public about how you really look.

You can't put the genie back in the bottle. EON blew it 18 years ago and no amount of public relations and soft-focus and soft-lighting is going to change that, nor make up for the fact that Miss Bellucci looks 50+. There's a reason the women have been young(ish) and if you have to resort to Photoshopping away your neck fat, or putting ice packs on your pectorals to harden them up, or use a toupee, it may be time to pack it in and let a younger actor/actress have their shot. I'm old enough to remember when the series used to sell fantasy....now it's selling its progressiveness.

Sean used a toupee from film two. I guess he was past his prime eh?

Stamper wrote:

Sean used a toupee from film two. I guess he was past his prime eh?

Probably should've stopped at Thunderball. I thought he looked fitter and in better shape in NSNA than in DAF and YOLT.

I'm sure Monica is heartbroken that she no longer is worthy of your attention, GS.