directed by Guy Hamilton
written by Tom Mankiewicz
starring Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Julius Harris, Geoffrey Holder, David Hedison, Gloria Hendry, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell
Voodoo charms, tarot, and heinous plots inform this thrilling addition to the Bond Cannon. Roger Moore takes the helm and proceeds to maintain Bond’s affable charm and fierce hold over the tender bits of every woman he meets.
In this installment three agents mysteriously die at the hands of assassins in New York, New Orleans and a small Caribbean island called San Monique. Bond goes on an epic voodoo excursion to the island via New York. He discovers a colorful, stimulating world filled with magical incantations, succulent voodoo magic and the exquisite pull of the Tarot as he attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery. He is called to the island where the tyrannical Dr. Kananga (Kotto) holds sway and is greeted with a fabulous display of local tribal ceremony. Along the way he meets and lusts after the luscious young Solitaire (Seymour), the virgin Tarot mistress who reads the future and present for the diabolical Dr. Kananga. She is to remain pure for her readings to have any effect and it’s immediately clear that Bond will pop that cherry for his own pleasure and edification.
The voodoo in this film certainly appears to be authentic and adds a scintillating backdrop to the story. It’s ribald and intensely sexual as its adherents grind and moan in a grand excess that sharply contrasts with Bond’s square, hopelessly white mien. He looks out of place with the natives and has a difficult time making himself inconspicuous. Voodoo is presented as sacred magic and the displays reflect this consideration in their primacy and unassailable totality. It has a decisive rhythm which is ably captured by cinematographer Ted Moore. There is a tremendous energy to these scenes and they intensify the narrative with a fluidity that is intoxicating and glorious.
The story involves the heinous plans of a man named Mr. Big who proves to be Dr. Kananga in disguise. He wants to place two metric tons of heroin into the market for free in order to drive all other suppliers out of business while doubling the number of addicts. Then he intends on charging outlandish prices and thereby cementing his position in the industry for many years to come. The film pits Bond’s haughty glamour against the venomous yet strident personality of the good doctor. It’s a nifty brand of warfare that leads to a spectacular if overlong boat chase that seems to drag on and on with no seeming end it sight. Of course Solitaire finds herself caught in Bond’s irresistible web and her pristine physicality lends a delectable aspect to the film. Bond takes her and leads her on a path toward ruin that is only thwarted by her willingness to continue following her man.
The film possesses an intensity that is maintained throughout. This is readily achieved by the occult aspects that play out in dramatic fashion and add a threat to the proceedings that Bond must circumvent. This is a dark world peopled by confusing deities who may or may not possess those who participate in the rituals. It is decidedly removed from the perfectly ordered universe in which Bond usually carries himself in and the contrast greatly enriches the film. There is a real sense of being led out of one’s senses or at least one’s comfort zone into a hysterical, treacherous place of potential danger where the usual rules do not apply.
Roger Moore captures all of the nuances one has come to expect from the Sean Connery and George Lazenby versions. He’s suave, even-tempered and impeccably dressed at all times. He conveys the same structured charm that attracts all those who are sucked into his realm. He is the proper man that cannot be wrecked by any vice that otherwise drains the life of lesser men who prove unable to handle themselves when confronted with tastes that overwhelm them.
As a Bond girl Jane Seymour projects a terrifying innocence that is almost too fragile and delicate. She represents a certifiable force of nature who is stripped of her powers by Bond’s unwavering sexual logic. He tricks her into bed and she is left with nothing but brief pleasure and the realization that there will now be a price on her head. Such is the consequence of falling for a man who treats most of his women with casual, throwaway disdain after using them for his own enormous pleasure. That she is a virgin only adds to the deliciousness of the endeavor. Solitaire is literally brought into the world by an intruder with a resolute focus on attaining his aim and who recognizes no protestations in the process. There has always been something of a rapist in Bond as he continuously forces himself on women who are seemingly too weak to resist. He takes what he wants and merely puts another notch in his belt after he has finished with them. Solitaire is a particularly juicy conquest for everything she represents: unsullied purity, sweet-faced innocence and a lack of womanly pretense.
Dr. Kananga is a decidedly devious villain. He also presents a formidable personage that is both glamourous and absolute. He is a man of tremendous charisma and a perfect foil for Bond who must use all his resources in order to defeat him. He knows how to use the frightening aspects of the occult and voodoo to control his subjects who seem to worship him as a god after a fashion. He cares not for the meddling insistence of Bond and the outside world that he represents.
Possession by another, whether human or supernatural, plays as a theme that works its way throughout this film. Solitaire, it can be argued, is taken over by Bond’s potency just as the villagers are possessed of the spirits of gods who speak through them. Disassociation reigns in this film as various states are either suggested or played out that conflict with normative societal routine. Also the introduction of heroin into the narrative enhances this idea bringing forth yet another way that consciousness can be altered if only for a brief period of time. Bond is such a loose cad who nonetheless values his particular grip on reality so it’s interesting to place him against the volatile realm of alternative realities in which he proves to be horribly inept. One would never imagine Bond imbibing a strange pill or doing anything that didn’t serve some sort of purpose in the end. In this film Bond is calculating to a fault and his limitations are clearly demonstrated when he’s faced with the strange affectations of Voodoo and the Tarot.
The performances in this film all work well within the construct of the script. Roger Moore makes a most welcomed debut here although he seems more tightly wound than previous incantations. He possesses all the requisite qualities and his performance adds a rich texture to the character. Yaphet Kotto is formidable as any Bond antagonist and even manages to ratch up the deviancy of the type through his character’s diabolical plan to ruin the lives of as many people as possible. Kotto is quite good here at playing a man who imagines he’s got all the bases covered. His supreme confidence vibrates in every frame. Jane Seymour as mentioned is quite lovely if helpless in her role as the primary Bond girl. She captures the character’s general winsomeness and proves to make a mesmerizing damsel in distress. It’s a great pleasure to watch her in peril primarily for her relative innocence. Julius Harris has a menacing gaiety about him throughout this film. He’s the grinning, laughing torturer who adds a supreme giddiness to the canon of Bond villains. Gloria Hendry bounces into every frame and the screen immediately comes alive with her presence. She’s lean, athletic, and so easily cajoled by Bond’s vital, carnal aggressiveness.
Overall, this film does everything a Bond film is supposed to do. It’s intense, vibrant and the characters are all properly conveyed by a standout cast. It uses its plot devices to its advantage by allowing them to unveil themselves naturally and without pretense. The ensuing scenes are filled with amusement, wonder and a strong connection to spiritual reality as it exists for some people who take great solace in their beliefs. It captures a mood that is readily maintained throughout and the end result is quite enjoyable on every front.
No comments:
Post a Comment