The dream 2012 scene that made Javier Bardem forget his lines: “I’m sorry, man”
Javier Bardem was always going to follow in the footsteps of his famous actor mother into the family business, who, after earning recognition in his native land, moved over to the United States in the early 2000s, wowing global audiences with his emotional command and sinister aura.
Now widely regarded as one of the finest actors on the planet, with an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Bafta to prove it, in 2012, Bardem also joined a very elite list of actors, appearing as the villain in Sam Mendes’ Skyfall, the movie that celebrated the 50th birthday of the James Bond franchise.
Daniel Craig’s third outing as 007 is widely regarded as one of the best instalments in the series’ history, combining the standard high-octane action with strong character development and emotion, while Bardem played Raoul Silva, a former MI6 agent turned cyberterrorist. Not only did he give a great performance, but he was also given the honour of letting the entire world know that Bond swings both ways.
Instead of the usual world-conquering baddies Bond has faced over the years, Silva’s goal was simple: when he worked for the British secret service, he was betrayed by Judi Dench’s M and now seeks his revenge. The entire movie revolves around the relationship between Silva, M, and Bond, culminating in an epic battle at Bond’s old family home in the Scottish wilderness.
In an interview with The Guardian ahead of the film’s release, Bardem was naturally asked about what it was like to spend so much time with Craig and Dench, and he mentioned being particularly taken aback by her Dameness, to the point where it got in the way of filming.
“When she opens her mouth and looks you in the eyes, you’re like, ‘Wow! This is a big deal’,” he explained, “You feel a force of nature against your chest… I looked at them both and forgot the lines. There was a silence, and Sam said, ‘Cut, what’s wrong?’ And I said, ‘I’m sorry, man, I just realised I’m in a James Bond movie, and M and James Bond are looking at me’.”
Dench became only the third actor to play M in an official Bond flick (don’t ask me to explain that now, because I simply do not have the time) when she replaced Robert Brown in GoldenEye, but her relationship with Bond is a tricky one.
She initially didn’t like Pierce Brosnan’s incarnation, referring to him as a “dinosaur”, and warmed slightly to Craig’s version, particularly in Skyfall, where the two become incredibly co-dependent. Skyfall marked her final appearance in the role, although she did return for a brief cameo in Spectre.
Anyone born in the UK will know that Judi Dench is the very definition of a national treasure. An outstanding talent with a warmth and humour that has made her a favourite among multiple generations, it’s not hard to see why Bardem was so taken aback by being in her presence.
