Many stars who play the same protagonist throughout several films develop a fondness for their character. Not so, it seems, for Daniel Craig. When he sat down for an interview with the Red Bulletin, the James Bond actor offered some candid thoughts on 007. (But no, no opinions on whether Idris Elba would make a good successor.)
The main takeaway? Bond is a tunnel-visioned misogynist from whom viewers can learn nothing. He can be a gentleman, though. “Sometimes, anyway.”
The interview opens on a somewhat odd question:
From the Red Bulletin:
THE RED BULLETIN: What could we learn from James Bond that would help us in our day-to-day lives?
DANIEL CRAIG: [Thinks for a short while.] Nothing.
Well, that makes sense! James Bond is a man whose day-to-day life is an unbroken sequence of fisticuffs, car chases, sex with doomed women, and appointments with his tailor. He would have nothing to say to a reader of the Internet about whether or not she should, say, upgrade to the 6 Plus or spring for a new espresso maker or get bangs.
But, as the reporter pressed, “James Bond is one of the most legendary movie heroes of all time. Surely he must have a couple of inspirational personality traits?”
Let’s not talk these films up as some kind of life-changing experience. Bond is what Bond does. Bond is very single- minded. He takes his own course. And that’s simple, which is great.
Ouch. But surely there’s something redeeming about him? Maybe? Of course! Craig offered, “Bond can be a gentleman. Sometimes, anyway.” You know, he protects people. He opens doors, Craig says—“for everyone, that is, not just women….But let’s not forget that he’s actually a misogynist.” The reporter added that Bond has only gotten more chivalrous in recent films, a fact Craig credits to the strong women who now surround him.
And this time you’ve gone one better, showing 007 succumbing to the charms of an older woman.
I think you mean the charms of a woman his own age. We’re talking about Monica Bellucci, for heaven’s sake. When someone like that wants to be a Bond girl, you just count yourself lucky!
Touché.
