The ‘James Bond’ movie Sam Mendes felt was mistreated: “It’s got a bit of a short shrift”
Skyfall might be considered the best recent effort – and even the best overall addition – to the 007 film franchise, but director Sam Mendes had never considered making a James Bond film. That was until he met with Daniel Craig to discuss the possibility. Long time friends, Craig’s casting as the new James Bond was the first time the spy movies had piqued Mendes’ interest.
Speaking to The Playlist, he explained: “I was never interested and I don’t think I saw most of the Pierce Brosnan ones. I was not into them at the time.” Yet, he went on to direct Skyfall and its follow-up Spectre. However, regardless of his previous lack of interest in the fictional international spy, Mendes does seem to have opinions on the Bond films.
Seemingly, he was completely unimpressed by Pierce Brosnan and when it came to Craig, he wasn’t entirely convinced at first. “When Daniel got cast I was interested because he was a friend,” he said. “And, I thought, ‘Wow, I thought I wasn’t interested.’ I was on record as saying that I didn’t he was good casting.” But, Craig finally hooked him, “Then I saw it and was blown away and was suddenly interested, as a character, and eager to see the next one.”
However, the next one wouldn’t actually make for the best watching, especially for those not overly interested in the character. Where Craig’s first appearance as Bond in Casino Royale blew audiences and critics away, Quantum of Solace was criticised for gratuitous action scenes and a plotless script.
Surprisingly, this was the one James Bond film that Mendes actually thought had been given the short end of the stick. “I was slightly disappointed with ‘Quantum’ although I think it’s got a bit of a short shrift, there’s a lot in it that’s interesting.” The contributing factor to his feelings on the second instalment might have had something to do with his friend Craig. While the film was lambasted, Craig’s performance was still praised and seen by many as the redeeming factor of the film.
Despite lacking the stereotypical looks of Bond as described by Ian Fleming, Craig was continually commended for his ironic, cold and distant approach to the character, helping him align more with the original literary character. This approach is sure to be one of the redeeming parts of Quantum of Solace that Mendes refers.
Especially since the filmmaker went on to direct the hugely successful third instalment after meeting with Craig, he said: “When I met with Daniel and he asked whether or not I was interested, I found myself saying yes very quickly. It was just good timing.” And, lucky for fans of 007, Mendes was able to take the best parts of Craig’s previous Bond films and make them even stronger.
Earning $1.109 billion worldwide and winning two Academy Awards, Mendes’ Skyfall ended up being the most commercially successful Bond film in the entire franchise. It was also critically acclaimed for its cinematography by the great Roger Deakins and its handling of Judi Dench’s ‘M’. Once again, Craig was praised for his performance, with many noting it as a defining performance for the actor.
For a director not overly invested in the franchise, it’s a pretty mean feat and one that might not have happened if Quantum of Solace had performed better than it did, even if Mendes holds that it was mistreated by audiences and critics.
