Historically, James Bond movies have confirmed Laura Mulvey's theory. Is that still the case today?
“You think women as disposable pleasures rather than meaningful pursuits”[1]
The 2006 movie Casino Royale presents women differently in comparison to the original Casino Royale (1967). The women in this movie are not depicted in the typical James Bond manner, and this more dominant female role is best shown through the character of Vesper Lynd, as she is seen as being ‘cut above the average Bond Girl’[2]. The more dominant role played by Vesper Lynd contrasts with the role played by Ursula Andress in Dr No (1962), who portrays the objectified female. Laura Mulvey’s theory, the ‘male gaze’ has become a big influence on the way of thinking of women and her views are expressed in her essay ‘Visual pleasure and narrative cinema’. Within this essay, she discusses how women are seen as ‘the bearer of meaning and not the maker of meaning’[3] and this is well illustrated by the role played by Ursula Andress, whereas Vesper Lynd is portraying a female who creates meaning and challenges the character of James Bond.
[1] Casino Royale (2006)
[2] Film 4 review of Casino Royale (2006)
[3] ‘Visual pleasure and narrative cinema’, Laura Mulvey (1975)
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