A little bit of consolation in a time of sadness

BACK STAGE
SASA MAJUMA | Tuesday December 23, 2008 00:00

It has not done as well at the multiplexes as expected, perhaps because it has been labelled as a 'high brow production'. But this is both inaccurate and restrictive. What is a 'Quantum' and what is 'Solace' is probably the source of the problem?
This movie does not teach physics, instead it defies it in all its many chases and in the final sense consumed in flame-you or I would have fallen off a roof or been fried in the fire.

In this flick, quantum is used to mean 'a share', not a discrete quantity of energy' or an 'illegal payment for damages'. 'Solace' simply means comfort.
James Bond, played again by Daniel Craig taking on a straight and mournful face, but allowing a glimmer of emotion to appear, sought consolation both in action and in the arms of a woman.

As some people seek solace in religion, Bond is driven to action because of grief and rage and maybe is capable of 'compassion'? This emotion is certainly not revealed when he seeks help from a friend, Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), who when eliminated is merely tossed in the nearest available dumpster.

The love of his life has been liquidated and he becomes, in consequence, not just a man in mourning, but a wild card seeking retribution. His ready arsenal of wit is still present, as is the famous Aston Martin DBS in an early chase. Chases are also on foot, across rooftops, in small planes, and even in small boats.

Quantum of Solace is the sequel to Casino Royale two years ago (Mmegi 15 December 2006) and perhaps has a little more depth. But Bond is now powered by revenge because his lover has been murdered, and he believes she betrayed him.

He is alone, fighting all establishments - the theme of the Jason Bourne trilogy that concluded with The Bourne Ultimatum which got three Oscars this year-thus this genre of movies remains empowered by revenge rather than seek out other human emotions.

This has also happened to other franchises too, just look at the Batman and Superman series. In Casino Bond's lover Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) died, and he was not sure why. The villain here is head and shoulders above your comic book heroes of darkness.

Dominic Greene, played by the famous French actor Mathieu Amalric, is perhaps the most interesting anti-hero in all 22 James Bond movies that have been made in the last 46 years; an even more remarkable franchise as Ian Fleming only wrote 12 novels and eight short stories!

Greene moves in the highest circles of the superrich and heads of state. He poses as a champion of the environment while secretly working to control resources and nations. In this flick it is not oil he is after but water. He advances himself under the slogan and establishment 'Green Planet'.

Greene's operation in Bolivia is called the Tierra Project, a creative smokescreen to disguise his real intentions.

When Bond tracks Greene down at a black tie outdoor-opera extravaganza in Vienna and taps into his communication system you are in for surprises. The action also takes place in London, Italy, Haiti, and Bolivia as Bond pursues the truth against the wishes of his controllers who want him reined in.

Both Port au Prince and Siena have some of the most interesting rooftops in the world, something most tourists never get to see - now is your chance - but then the movie was actually filmed in suitable places in Mexico, Panama, Chile and on site in Austria and Italy. Not in Haiti or Bolivia.

Don't be late to watch this film. The opening sequences set the pace, and are as wild as ever. There is always another way to die. 'We never really know, do we?' At headquarters in London, Bond communicates with his boss known only as 'M' (Judi Dench again).

She is supported by a variety of lackey's who attempt to carry out her orders while Bond is increasingly disobedient and in contempt of his masters. She says, 'Bond is running wild. Pull him in or the Americans will kill him'. He is forced to rely on other networks to seek sustenance and sustain his actions. That they may die because of him is immaterial.
As is noted, 'You cannot put a price on integrity'. In a number of the early chases, instead of taking them alive to allow for questioning, Bond ends up killing his quarry. M says to him, 'If you could avoid killing every possible lead, it would be deeply appreciated'.

In Quantum there are only a few women in Bond's chase for veracity: first there is 'M'. He succumbs to the beauty of Agent Fields, played by Gemma Arterton, but resists the more striking pulchritude of Camille, acted by Olga Kurylenko, because he knows she belongs to Greene and might help unlock the secrets he is searching for.

Is Camille a double agent, or only a gorgeous innocent caught up in events-in the wrong place at the wrong time? Will she and Bond ever find a quantum of solace?
Quantum of Solace is one hour and 46 minutes long. It is rated PG. The director is Marc Forster. The script is by Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

The cinematographer is Roberto Schaefer. The editors are Matt Chess and Richard Pearson. The music is by David Arnold and the production designer is Dennis Gassner. sasa_majuma@yahoo.co.uk