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Mark Kureishy's avatar

You’re absolutely right, Luke, about Julie Christie having ‘it’, whatever ’it’ is, for she could do no wrong, and never looked less than incandescent on the screen while, erm, doing ‘it’!

Also a big fan of Laurence Harvey (perhaps the best possible candidate for Bond to never get it, though I know Connery was absolutely right for the first outings) and Bogarde, who always carried a look of hidden pain in his face and demeanour, even while looking his most very handsome best.

Again, not seen for yonks, but I’ll have to go back now and revisit, which absolutely won’t be a chore, thanks to you, Luke!

Is Shampoo on your to-do list?

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Luke Honey's avatar

and p.s. Sam Neill for me, would have killed it as Bond. Have you seen his screentest on YouTube? Okay, a bit short, but they could have propped him up on an orange box in the snogging scenes.

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Mark Kureishy's avatar

Ha-ha! And, yes, I have seen his 007 screen tests. He absolutely could have done a fine job, height challenged and all.

Give me the leonine Harvey over the hod-carrier Craig any day of the week as Bond!

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Luke Honey's avatar

I would have to rewatch Shampoo. Could do. Boogie Nights (1997) would be a BRILLIANT one to do, but again, I would need to rewatch before writing about it. LOVE L. Harvey. A lesson in urbanity. But too scrawny for 007? Not quite right. Altho' I very much think that Bond needs to be suave, urbane, sophisticated and ultimately a British gent of the old school. Which is exactly why, Mr Craig (altho' a fine actor and nothing against him personally) just doesn't cut the mustard.

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Nick SW8's avatar

Superb performances and direction and a real slice of the sixties just when it's beginning to swing.

But does anyone understand why that woman sings Santa Lucia at the end? I've come to conclusion it's just one of those nouvelle-voguey things that links back to the earlier scene in the film and holds no specific meaning, but..??

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Luke Honey's avatar

Now that's a very good point. Interesting, isn't it, how All-Things-Italian seem to dominate the 60s? In the same way, I think, All-Things-French dominate the 70s. My take on the Santa Lucia thing is that the old woman has very little, yet is happy. Unlike Diana? Kinda Stoic...

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Winter & Dumas's avatar

The Happiness Girl.... outstanding choice here Luke, loved this movie, beautifully shot, the vaccuus and the interesting (or are they ) and Robert's final act of revenge!! Christie was fabulous!

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Luke Honey's avatar

Plus a BRILLIANT script from Frederic Raphael. Sharp and witty: same with his scripts for Two for the Road (1967). Plus Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Despite the criticism, I really like it. Definitely one for a future post...

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Winter & Dumas's avatar

I absolutely agree with you, the script was tight, witty, sardonic and fabulous!!

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Luke Honey's avatar

Quote after quote... Diana (during a fight with Robert). We're NOT married ! At least to each other.

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Luke Honey's avatar

p.s. Frederic Raphael's Somerset Maugham biography also fab- one of my favourite books.

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Winter & Dumas's avatar

Why haven't I read this!; thank you so much Luke, I'll absolutely check this out;

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Luke Honey's avatar

Definitely a MUST for a thriller writer. I like the way Raphael includes his encounter with Maugham- as a hetero backpacker crossing France.

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Winter & Dumas's avatar

I'm looking forward to it!!

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