The Blonde Bond

As I recall...

What a miracle it was, that after all these while, in the midst of my indubitably hectic schedule, I managed to grab hold of a seat in the cinema to actually cherish the cinematic feeling of watching the latest Bond flick, Casino Royale.

From the words of mouth and the reviews of critics, and not forgetting my ever-dependable sis-in-law, Casino Royale is said to be different from the normal formulaic nature of the 007 Spy Series previously handed over to cinema fans on a golden plate. This time around, they said James Bond is brasher, more masculine and macho, and merciless to the point of making Pierce Brosnan looked like a sissy.

From the opening sequence, I must say, those words were sneeringly true.

Bond was no usual Bond. This is a Bond whom we have yet to grow accustom to for he was still at his infancy, a spy but not quite a "00-kind" of spy. In order for him to attain the license to kill (and to thrill), he had to accomplish the penultimate requirement of “slaughtering” 2 assignments. In the opening sequence, we get to see the two, in a fleetingly gritty fashion.

Bond was no usual Bond. This is a Blonde Bond, no typical black, prim and proper hair. This is a crew cut version of what we used to come to know of a debonair and dashing super sleuth, with an irresistible English accent, fortunately still intact.

Bond was no usual Bond. He is this time a heartless killer, gruesome and frighteningly brutal when it comes to slicing and dicing his opponents - blowing up Embassies, bashing up dozens of henchmen along the way, doing his own stunts without much help from any typical and usual Bond Gadgets and Gizmos. This time, Bond decides to kill off his opponents largely with his bare hands.

Casino Royale blasts us with a difference in approach and style. Just like any other franchises e.g. Superman, Batman, producers are heading for the roots or the basics nowadays. Batman Series went back to the fore with Batman Begins, while Superman decided to Return to where it all started. Same goes here. James Bond in Casino Royale is a Bond who has no need for technical wizardries (hence Q was not included in the original line up), could not be bothered whether the Lemon Dry Martini is shaken or stirred, and underneath that ruthless demeanor, has a soft spot for a charmingly beautiful lady, played overwhelmingly and deliciously tasteful by Eva Green.

The producers must have had a stronger-than-Brosnan (and obviously Moore) personality in mind. Hence, the reason why Daniel Craig (of "Munich" and "Road to Perdition" fame) was chosen for the role. And by gosh, he fits the role like a glove.

And though I sincerely felt that no one could overtake Sean Connery as the ultimate Bond ever, after all he made the character his with his also rugged and smoldering demeanor, Daniel Craig to me came distinctively a close second.

The World In The Eyes Of Fink... Barton Fink

For the year 2008, I plan to review all the movies that I have been wanting to watch but couldn't for reasons whatsoever... Hence, I kicked off the indomitable plan with "Barton Fink" - the 4th movie to be co-produced, co-written and co-directed by the Coen Brothers i.e. Ethan & Joel Coen.

They have just won the Best Picture Award at the Oscars recently for their latest feature film "No country For Old Men", and it's only fair that they should be the subject of my new venture.

Looking back in retrospect, just like any of their other movies, the title of this movie itself sounds catchy and original. Now, who in the world would have thought of such a title in the first place? Barton Fink? Is he Jewish or what? Judging by the character played by the ever-so-reliable John Turturro (in his best form ever), Fink could easily be recognised as a Jewish lad. These siblings from Minnesotta really knew their stuff...

"Barton Fink" is essentially a story about a new Writer struggling to make an impact in Hollywood. Having had a one hit wonder in Broadway, Fink was summoned to Hollywood by a giant (in every sense of the word) Movie Producer a.k.a. Movie Mogul, Jack Lipnick (played by the Oscar nominated Michael Lerner). He was at first reluctant, but he had ambitions that would dare him to take up the challenge.

It pretty much sums up The Coen Brother's background themselves, having had the opportunity to appear on the Big Screen with "Blood Simple" and moved on with Arty-Farty and not too commercially successful flicks. It's like they are raging their own war against the Hollywood Studios who often dictate what sort of movie they should be making.

In this movie, Fink was asked to produce a 'Wrestling' picture for Wallace Beery - the most popular actor of the time. Set in the early 1940's / 1950's, the Art Direction and the Cinematography by Roger Deakins (the Coen Brother's most faithful collaborator) were luscious and beautiful - carefully setting the mode, the mood and the tone of the movie, which started off with an awful lot of promise and ended up with a rather dark, sinister tale of human morality and quiet ambiguity.

Fink, who was struck with a 'Writer's Block' syndrome, in an effort to overcome his chronic depression, managed to attain the assistance and support of his 'mysterious and over-friendly' neighbour, Charlie Meadows (John Goodman, in one of his utmost convinving fashion), a sexy and generous Personal Assistant to a famous Writer, Audrey (played with much needed angst and sensuousness by Judy Davis), and Fink's highly adored but eternally drunk Writer, W.P. Mayhew (played by the almost unrecognizanle John Mahoney).

Throw in a couple of odd characters, played by oddball, zany character actors like Steve Buscemi, Tony Shalhoub and Jon Polito, what we have here is a totally unpredictable tale of clever 'whodunnit' and artistic featurette in the highest order.

I enjoyed watching "Raising Arizona" and I thought "Fargo" was a much better movie than "The English Patient". I have respect for these 2 brothers and the kind of film they made over the years. And after 20 years in Hollywood, finally they deserve all the recognitions they got for "No Country For Old Men".

But "Barton Fink" is where they gained they first few recognitions in Hollywood and overseas. It garnered 3 Oscar nominations, and won Best Picture, Best Director for Joel Coen and Best Actor for John Turturro at the Cannes Film Festival. Deakins, the cinematographer, himself got a few nods and Awards from several Film Critic Societies.

It's the kind of film that warrants your attention and glues you to your seat while you savour the deliciously written script.

Cheers to the Coens!