Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Penny Thoughts ‘12—For Your Eyes Only (1981) ***½

PG, 127 min.
Director: John Glen
Writers: Richard Maibaum, Michael G. Wilson, Ian Fleming (stories “For Your Eyes Only” and “Risico”)
Starring: Roger Moore, Carole Bouquet, Julian Glover, Topol, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Cassandra Harris, Jill Bennet, Michael Gothard, John Wyman, Lois Maxwell, Desmond Llewelyn

Perhaps James Bond is not what you typically think of when you think of for Valentine’s Day, but 007 films consist of two things—action and sex. When Bond isn’t saving the world by blowing up submarines and turning to bad guys’ torture death traps against them, he’s saving the world by having sex with the most beautiful women in the world, good and bad alike.


Is that romantic? Well, when stated like that, no it is not; but in the movies Bond always woos his women in a romantic setting. There’s silky lingerie, champagne, soft music, a hit song filled with innuendo by Sheena Easton perhaps.

James is not discriminating. He teases Moneypenny with his flirtations long past her sell by date. He seduces Pussy Galore for Queen and country if he must. Usually, it’s not even a necessity. I think he does it more for them than for himself. Hey girl, I’m about to bring down the organization your work for and destroy everything you’ve strived to achieve; let me make it worth your while.

In many ways, a James Bond film is the perfect Valentine’s Day type movie. It gives both sexes everything they want out of a movie. The women get their romantic locations, lavish expenses and Daniel Craig (or whichever decade’s equivalent). Men get great action scenes, huge explosions and the sexiest women in cinema. What more could you ask for in a Valentine’s Day movie?



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