9 replies to this topic

[JCRendle]

Who should be Bond's object of flirtation in Bond 22 or later films, Loelia Ponsonby or Miss Moneypenny?

[Publius]

Can I choose None of the Above? Seriously, I've never been a fan of the "Bond flirts with secretary before seeing M" bit. I've always found it among the more dispensable elements of the series.

If I had to choose, I'm completely neutral between the two, who I imagine would be differentiated only in name and by the person playing either on-screen. If they must do it, all I ask is that they get a good actress and try to make it interesting for once.

[Leiter]

Personally, I would prefer Ponsonby only because then we can have 008 and 0011.

[JCRendle]

But wasn't 0011 lost in service when we saw poms?

[Qwerty]

Either or. I wouldn't mind one way or the other.

[Leiter]

Did they ever say anything else about him? He could still be alive for all we know.

[Mr Malcolm]

Moneypenny. If we're having a bit of flirting (and it can be fun if it's written well), then she's there and ready to go, and introducing a different secretary who does exactly the same thing would be somewhat redundant. If Loelia is going to be introduced, then she'll have to have something sufficiently different to do.

[Lazenby880]

I suppose the problem is that the producers originally just transferred banter between Bond and Ponsonby to Bond and Moneypenny for the films, therefore why change the character if she essentially serves the same purpose? As I far prefer Ponsonby as a character to the literary Moneypenny I would prefer the former, although she would have to fulfil a different role, or at least enjoy a different relationship with Bond, for her to be worthwhile.

Frankly, I am pleased they have jettisoned formula and left Moneypenny out of CASINO ROYALE. A blink-and-you-miss-it role (with, preferably, Ponsonby) may be tolerable in the future, but why bother?

[Loomis]

Frankly, I am pleased they have jettisoned formula and left Moneypenny out of CASINO ROYALE.

Definitely, although you know she'll be introduced in the next film, doubtless with losta backstory (be interesting to see whether it chimes with Kate Westbrook - doubtful, as her Moneypenny was born in 1900 or something, and, anyway, I expect they'd have to pay for the rights, but anyhoo....).

[Lazenby880]

Definitely, although you know she'll be introduced in the next film, doubtless with losta backstory...

I understand that sentiment, and it is one I would have wholly shared until fairly recently. Now I am beginning to feel rather more optimistic with the evident courage Eon displayed in casting Daniel Craig and two relatively unknown female leads, in throwing away formula and doing something (apparently) pretty divergent from the recent Bond trends, and in culling Q and Moneypenny in the first place.

Who knows? They might stick to their guns. Let us hope that they do.

Edited by Lazenby880, 06 July 2006 - 11:59 PM.