photo: Bonnie Glaser
Hope everyone had a great weekend! I finally got to see Spectre, thanks to my wonderful friend Bonnie who babysat (above are Mélanie and me at a very fun dinner with Bonnie afterwards – Bonnie is the photographer).
Over all I loved it, particularly how it wove in the last three movies. I never would have though so before, but after Spectre I can see Ralph Fiennes as Carfax (though I think his M has a stronger moral compass than Carfax as well).
The first scene between Bond and M really reminded me of scenes between Malcolm and Carfax, right down to the setting and body language.
Bond’s very spare London flat reminded me of the description of Malcolm’s lodgings in Lisbon pre-Suzanne in His Spanish Bride.
I thought there were lots of issues that parallel the Rannoch series – the moral choices in the spy game, following orders versus pursuing one’s own idea of what’s right, personal life conflicting with the spy game. The ending surprised me. I liked it, though I wish there’d been time to develop the love story as much as in Casino Royale.
On a fun side note, Rule’s restaurant where M is eating and Q and Monnypenny find him goes back to the early 1800s. I’ve eaten there myself and in London Gambit Crispin hosts a supper party there after Manon opens in a new play at the Tavistock. Here I am having dinner there on a research trip after see La Cenerentola at Covent Garden.
Who else has seen Spectre? What do you think? Of the film, of the spies, of any parallels or contrasts to the Rannoch series?
Tracy Grant - Novelist 
December 1, 2015 at 4:32 am
Love the hint about RULES in London Gambit. Would love to eat there. It will be a while before I see Spectre so bring on spoilers and any comparisons to Rannoch series
December 1, 2015 at 8:02 am
It was so fun to see Rules in Spectre, Patti, especially since I saw a bunch of other parallels to the Rannoch wolrd in the movie and there was one of the settings. It’s a lovely setting and a very good restaurant. Do see Spectre when you can – I really enjoyed. Have you seen Casino Royale?
December 1, 2015 at 1:13 pm
I did but afraid I do not remember it enough to comment on any continuity or comparison
December 5, 2015 at 7:16 am
Patti, if you can it’s worth it to rewatch Casino (and maybe Skyfall) before you see Spectre. Lots of great plot detail that connects one to the other.
December 4, 2015 at 11:45 am
I haven’t seen Spectre yet but Quantum Of Solace and Skyfall were on TV during the past two weeks. I wasn’t keen on Solace but I really enjoyed Skyfall. I thought the first half was a bit dull, too much action and no story or character development, but once they all got back to England and MI6 blew up it got really good. The second half was fantastic. How was his house in Scotland? The surrounding countryside looked like the aftermath of a nuclear explosion, whilst the house itself looked like something from The House Of Usher. No wonder he said he always hated it. I am looking forward to Spectre but I don’t know when I will get the chance to see it. December is always a big balancing act time wise, and it is really hot here, which doesn’t make me feel like getting out and doing stuff.
December 5, 2015 at 7:14 am
I think you’ll like Spectre, Suzanne – it has a lot of plot, like Skyfall and Casino and some interesting detail about Bond’s past. I miss Judi Dench’s M but the relationships among Bond, the new M, the new Q, and the new Monypenny that begin in Skyfall are really fun as they develop.
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