I said I would and so I will. Combine my love for the Bond films and blogging, that is. But after all, I decided to keep it short and just write one mega entry instead of several ones. I have a tendency to get a bit carried away whenever I get to talk about things I love, so consider yourselves warned.
First of all, let me start by pointing out that I get how the entire concept of Bond girls can be seen as problematic and I'd be more that willing to give it a little twist. People could really get more creative with the casting! How about even a someone bit older for starters? Or like for instance, my favourite time of the year, aka the Eurovision song contest, was the best one for years really. Mainly because of Conchita Wurst. The winning song, Rise Like A Phoenix, sounds like a Bond theme – the name and the melody – and Conchita would be a dashing Bond girl if you ask me. I mean, come on: how is this not perfect in every possible way?!
Besides, in Skyfall, the villain Raoul Silva has James Bond tied to a chair: he's caressing him and saying how there's always a first time for everything. To which James replies with ”What makes you think this is my first time?”. Maybe just keeping it cool, maybe not. I wouldn't be surprised though.
Anyway, the girls: so basically there are two types of women in the Bond films. The ones that don't end up messing with James and the ones that do. The ones that don't include the secretary Miss Moneypenny who for 23 years was played by Lois Maxwell. It was never quite clear whether their constant flirt was as harmless in her viewpoint than it was from James' (likely not) but I definitely liked her character. In 1987 Maxwell was replaced by a 26-year-old Caroline Bliss and in the Brosnan era she was played by Samantha Bond (talk about a fitting name). The latest, Skyfall, is one of my absolute favorites in the fim series and I was so jazzed to get another Moneypenny for whom I totally fell for and look forward to seeing more of her! And then there's my all time favourite character M, who became that once Judi Dench was casted. Basically she's James Bond's boss and made her first appearance in 1995 in Pierce Brosnan's first film. I definitely enjoyed their chemistry. Daniel Craig hasn't kept the flirting game going that strong so there's been a slight shift in that relationship during his time but I love it none the less. Especially in Skyfall.
Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny and Judi Dench as M.
But well, I guess its' about the time we get to the business and talk about that other lot, the actual Bond girls. I've made a top seven of my favourites. Mainly because, not that I don't like the others or find them gorgeous, I didn't want there to be any fillers. These seven are the best of the best and I love them dearly. For me being a perfect Bond girls isn't so much about the looks: it really is the personality and the ability to kick some ass that makes me swoon. And also I apparently do have a tendency to fall for somewhat tragic characters.
7. Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach)
The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977
Anya Amasova also goes by the name XXX: she's a Soviet spy who's originally against James and what he stands for. For example she has no problem whatsoever to leave him passed out in some random desert if it means she can gain from it. However since they both are after the same dude it turns out to be more efficient to work side by side. And a bit more that that actually... But nevertheless Anya Amasova is a capable woman and not some poor little creature: don't let her sweet looks fool you!
6. Octavia "Octopussy" Charlotte Smythe (Maud Adams)
Octopussy, 1983
Maude Adams made a pretty forgettable appearance in a Bond film nine years earlier but she returned in quite a spectacular way! Because oh Octavia! She has an island only for women where she describes these women share some sisterly love. Yeah right. In addition to this pretty titillating island she has a circus and an octopus. That's my kind of a girl! Also, I am totally into that how she's not a goody good kind of a person but a diamond smuggler and a cool headed business woman.
5. May Day (Grace Jones)
A View To a Kill, 1985
May Day is a woman of a few words but she makes it up with her impeccable sense of style and inhuman strength that makes her throw her enemies literally out of the way. She's teamed up with the mean guy which makes it pretty awkward that she hooks up with James, too, but whatever. Anyways, she's played by Grace Jones – does one need more reasons really.
4. Teresa "Tracy" Draco aka Countess Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969
Okay, let's make it clear: this in one of my favourite Bond films and I totally dig the sad love story! Tracy has a history and a deadwish and all these things make her way more interesting than most Bond girls out there. When she's first introducing herself she makes it clear: ”Teresa is a saint; I'm known as Tracy.” Also, Diana Rigg is Rachael Striling's mother. Like mother like daughter! Love them both.
3. Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh)
Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997
Wai Lin is breathtakingly efficient spy who's also really skillfully mastered in combat sports. In the film they mainly toil in Wai Lin's comfort zones so she's really on top of James for most part (metaphorically, mainly, although probably in other ways, too). And like all my other fave Bond girls, she doesn't warm up to James just like that
2. Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman)
Goldfinger, 1964
Pussy Galore – well, not the best name out there. To be honest, I did not expect much from a Bond girl named like that. But oh boy was I mistaken! Because Pussy Galore: what a cool cat. First of all, she's the oldest Bond girl having been 36 when filming (that really isn't much: for example Daniel Craig turned 46 this year and 35+ generally is that best age for women if you ask me!). Also, in the book version, Pussy Galore's a lesbian. In the film she falls for James just like they all will. But then again that's kind the the thing. Pussy Galore works for the bad guy, too, and she's a top pilot. Like her part namesake Octopussy, she also has a circus: a flying one. She leads a group of female pilots. Sweet!
1. Vesper Lynd (Eva Green)
Casino Royale, 2006
Oh Vesper! I don't even know what to say about you! First of all, Eva Green: one of the hottest women out there. And second of all: she as a tragic Bond girl you're not certain whether you can trust or not = LOVE. I was pleasantly surprised by this film altogether and I don't even know how many times I've seen it. Mainly because of Vesper/Eva. The character's interesting and she has some killer outfits, too.
I really tried to keep it short! You are welcome!
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