James Bond is the most successful movie franchise of all time (provided that you adjust the earlier grosses for inflation) countless articles have been written about "Who was the best James Bond?"- it usually seems that there is no right answer seeing as each actor throughout the franchise's history has brought something different to the role. After reading Ian Fleming's original novel I have a true appreciation for Daniel Craig's portrayal in the 2006 film. (The 1967 adaptation of Casino Royale was not exactly faithful to the book...)
While I loved Ian Fleming's attention to detail with James Bond's meticulous nature (aka: powder on doorknobs, carefully placed hairs, sleeping with his hand on the gun under his pillow, etc.) there was something about James Bond (at least in this novel) that seemed somewhat robotic to me. And yes- I get that he has to be a robot to a certain degree to survive the "licence to kill", but seeing as it's the beginning of his career I was hoping for a little more color in his emotions (as infrequent as they may be). Hence why I once again tip my hat to Daniel Craig for making James Bond vulnerable- even with the absence of a back story- while never diminishing his masculinity.
The scenes in the Casino were difficult for me to understand at times as I was initially uninformed on the rules of Baccarat. My only other HUGE question mark was that I truly did not understand WHY Vesper Lynd was sent to Casino Royale in the first place. She was sent as Bond's "assistant", but I never saw her "assist" in anything other than giving him a hard on. (In the film they were thankfully able to give her a better role in Bond's assignment)
Despite my inability to truly separate the book from the film (which has been seared into my brain), I did have fun in the world of James Bond. However, I have a hunch that I will eventually more satisfied by some of Fleming's later 007 novels.
B-
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