“Quantum of Solace” on DVD
© MGM / Eon

James Bond is back…again!  And this time, he’s got some unfinished business lingering from Casino Royale, the debut for the current Wearer of the Tux, Daniel Craig.  Quantum of Solace follows 007 from Italy to London, then to Haiti, Austria, back to Italy, then Bolivia….and finally to Russia, where he confronts the treacherous ex-boyfriend of Vesper Lynd.

Along the way, he enlists the aid of CIA operative Felix Leiter, former suspected traitor Rene Mathis, Agent Fields (”Just Fields”) from Station B, and Camille, an enigmatic and beautiful member of Bolivia’s secret service…as he investigates Quantum, a worldwide criminal organization with tentacles into the highest levels of business and government, and foils a plot to overthrow a South American country and control one of the world’s most precious natural resources…

All in 106 minutes!

The Film

From the opening, ominous low flyover of Lake Garda, intercut with close-up shots of an Aston Martin DBS at speed, it’s clear we’re in new territory for James Bond.  And then…there we are, riding along with him through a twisting mountainside tunnel, amid automatic gunfire, screaming tires and pinwheeling point of view.  It’s a maelstrom of visual confusion, and it’s clear that this is no accident.  The close-in, handheld-style camera work—and a buzz saw-like, all-over-the-place editing approach to the action sequences—is probably the most controversial aspect of the film.  There is a school of thought that says that such ’subjective perspective’ camera/editing work effectively immerses the viewer in the chaos of the moment—where detachment and ease of perspective is impossible—and thus achieves an element of ‘artistic truth.’  However, in QoS this clearly comes at the expense of some viewer convenience.  Clearly, the editing philosophy of the film is problematic, and hopefully it will not be repeated in future Bond films.  The good news is that the overall effect of this is muted somewhat on the smaller screen of the home theatre, which seems to contain and focus the point of view in a way that the big screen could not.

Similarly, the convenience of watching movies at home mitigates another issue many fans had with the film: that of narrative pacing.  Director Marc Forster declared that he wanted this film to be, as he put it, “Like a bullet fired from a gun.”  Thus, the bullet on a flat trajectory, as seen during the titles sequence, turns out to be not only a metaphor for Bond himself, but also for the film as a whole.  The kinetic forward momentum of the piece can be overwhelming, and the cliche of not having a chance to ‘catch one’s breath’ is a perfectly appropriate one to use.  Unfortunately, this pacing takes a toll on plot and character accessibility for some viewers, who might be looking for a more conventional narrative.  Scenes such as those between Bond and M, Bond and Mathis, Bond and Leiter, Bond and Fields, Bond and Camille, etc., give us what we need—and indeed contain many wonderful moments, with humour and fine dramatic performances—but are over before we can savour them…and we do yearn to savour such things, like Bond himself enjoys fine food and drink.  Because of Forster’s ’bullet fired from a gun’ ethos, he deliberately decides not to let certain dramatic beats play out to a more satisfactory conclusion.  Instead, he essentially demands that we keep up, which can be an alienating prospect.  Many go to a Bond film to simply be entertained, not challenged.  Frequently I have hit the ‘review’ button to enjoy some of the film’s finer fleeting moments…but granted, such a thing shouldn’t be necessary.

The locations are lush and beautifully photographed, and the captions that introduce them are visually interesting.  The Perla de las Dunas hotel in the desert is very evocative of legendary Bond production designer Ken Adam’s distinctive style—and the interiors, particularly the space where Bond and Greene have their climactic fight as the flames erupt around them, looks like something Mr. Adam would have conceived—even the texture on the walls looks like ‘classic Bond.’

It’s interesting that one of the many criticisms leveled at the film, when it debuted in the cinema, was an apparent lack of emotion, but like anything in QoS that doesn’t explode or move at high speed over land, sea and air, it can be lost in the jetstream of the film’s dizzying pace.  Craig’s performance is pretty much perfect; internalization is the most difficult acting assignment, and sadly it’s not always recognized or rewarded.  His denial (with M) of caring about Vesper…his no response to Mathis’ saying “She died for you”…his reaction when Mathis, with his last breath, tells Bond to forgive her—and himself…his face when presented with Fields’ oil-coated corpse, his playing of the scene where Camille tells him that his prison is ‘in there’ (Bond’s mind)…are all quite rich.  The disposal of Mathis’ body was poignant:  Bond’s remark that his friend “wouldn’t care,” the jarringly field-expedient utility of removing the cash from the wallet, the way the camera lingers on the dumpster from above—it all elicits revulsion, which it is intended to do, and belies the grief so brilliantly underplayed by Daniel Craig, but it also speaks to the compartmentalization required by someone in Bond’s line of work in order to avoid going insane.

Supporting performances were all very solid.  Giancarlo Giannini was pitch-perfect in every scene, as was the great Jeffrey Wright—his scene with Bond in the bodega, where they spar briefly over the notion of failed British empire and American corruption, is well done.  I look forward to more of Wright’s Felix Leiter in films to come.  Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton are both very effective (especially Camille).  Mathieu Amalric’s Dominic Greene isn’t the best Bond villain, but that’s not his fault.  He’s very good in every scene, possessing the most punchable face and demeanor of any baddie since Kronsteen, and is clearly another relatively minor stepping stone up from Le Chiffre, as we ascend the organizational chart of the nefarious ‘Quantum’ in future outings.  His fight with Bond is fantastic, and his ultimate fate is something that would have made Ian Fleming smile.

The scene between Bond and Vesper’s ‘ex’ is positively electric; a rather nice ‘book-end’ to the opening (pre-title) scene of Casino Royale, with a decidedly different outcome.  Though the ultimate resolution might seem disappointing at first blush, it banks significant character capital for the future, and the love knot left in the snow signals a necessary closure for James Bond, who is now free to do what he does best…and nobody does it better.

Quantum of Solace is, essentially, the violent and lightning-quick third act of Casino Royale—that film’s angry and misunderstood little brother—and, like ‘Tosca,’ it isn’t for everyone.  Like a bullet fired from a gun, it howls along on a short and flat trajectory, and takes its target down.  

The DVD

Picture transfer and sound quality seem fine on the DVD version, considering what this quickly diminishing format is able to deliver when compared to the broader features and capabilities of the ascending Blu-ray format. 

Ironically, given the feature film’s short running time, it’s very possible that they could have squeezed all of the provided Special Features into a single disc release…but that would have robbed Sony of an obvious marketing opportunity—namely, having a “Two Disc Special Edition” alternative to the Ultra-Vanilla single disc option, given that they clearly have a long-range strategic plan to release a more improved (three-disc) version down the road, probably to coincide with the theatrical release of Bond #23.   

Besides the feature film itself, Disc One contains the “Another Way To Die” music video, featuring Alicia Keys and Jack White, and Theatrical and Teaser trailers.  Music videos have been a staple of Bond DVD releases for some time, and the trailers are also pretty standard stuff.

Disc Two’s Special Features include Bond on Location, a very good 24-minute featurette on the production’s globe-trotting schedule.  The other featurettes—Start of Shooting, On Location, Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase, Director Marc Forster and The Music, average out to just over three minutes apiece, which is a bit disappointing in terms of substance.  Many snippets and sound bites from the Bond on Location featurette are repeated during subsequent featurettes, unfortunately creating a sense of wasted opportunity.  Interestingly, the final special feature, Crew Files (which first appeared, in individual installments, on the official Sony/Eon Quantum of Solace website), contains 32 fascinating and often quite funny (if lamentably brief) glimpses into the jobs and personalities of many people involved in getting the film made, and provides some of the disc’s best added value. 

All in all, the Special Features on Disc Two run about 90 minutes—45 minutes of which are used up by the Crew Files Behind-The-Scenes clips.  Commentary tracks, especially one with Craig himself, would have been most welcome.  No doubt we’ll get some when the next version of Quantum of Solace is released on disc…but meanwhile, it’s hard not to be cynical.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Quantum of Solace—perhaps the most unapologetic, uncompromising film in the Bond canon—benefits by the transition to the small screen, thanks to a more focused media venue.  However, in these economic times, a little more “Bang for the ‘Special Edition’ Buck” would have been a good thing.

Buy Quantum of Soalce on Blu-Ray and DVD

Quantum of Solace is available online and in all good DVD and Blu-Ray retailers.

• Quantum of Solace on DVD from Amazon.co.uk
• Quantum of Solace on Blue-Ray from Amazon.co.uk
• Quantum of Solace on DVD from Amazon.com
• Quantum of Solace on Blu-Ray from Amazon.com

By David Zaritsky

Dear Mr. Ford,

Enclosed please find the routing number to my checking account to which every two weeks my paycheck will be deposited for your withdrawal for the next three years.  In addition I have enclosed the deed to my home and shortly there will be a delivery of my car on a large car carrier as the title has been signed over to you.  I hope the sum of all this is enough for the lovely tie your company designed for Quantum of Solace.

Yours Truly,

The much poorer David Zaritsky

The above is a slight exaggeration.  Only slight.  When I began writing the “On a Budget” articles for those wanting to dress like Bond the world was a very different place…a much fatter place.  Back then those on a budget or those that were budget minded appreciated the articles and the places to find alternative brands to capture the same look.  NOW with the financial environment we live in these articles seem to resonate even louder, acting as a resource for those that are experiencing the recession we are living in BUT who have not lost their desire to dress well.  Before we dive into the discussion I do want to let everyone know that I am a HUGE fan of the brands that Bond wears in Quantum of Solace.  I own the Ryder 3 boots, the Staprest jeans, the 7 of Mankind Jeans, the Tom Ford sunglasses and clothes, the black Y-3 jacket, and others so I am the first to tell you there is nothing like the original makers and brands to deliver what you see on screen.   Those brands have worked hard to develop their look and feel and I support them both philosophically and financially.  That being said I am also keenly aware that not all of us are built financially equal yet we are built the same when it comes to the penchant for capturing the look of QoS- thus this article is for you.  The article will be divided by outfit and described how the viewer sees it on screen, but in no particular order.

TOSCA:

If only you and I could be like Bond and walk into an opera dressing room and pilfer a tux JUST in the right size for us.  But alas, we are not Bond.  I do implore each of you to visit www.uniformalwearhouse.com.  Not only can the everyman walk away with the perfect fitting tuxedo, not only can you choose the correct style shirt and bow tie but you will do it all by spending between $59.00 and $150.00.  I was telling a work colleague about this site and explained to him that no discerning gentleman should rent a tux when this site exists.  After all, do you know what people DO in rented tuxes?  You don’t want to know.  The site also carries shoes but to truly acquire the TOSCA scene look of Bond and mimic the Churchs he wears I would go no further than www.target.com and look at the Mens Merona Teddy-Cap Toe Dress Shoes for $26.99.

HAITI:

In Haiti Bond wears the Levis Staprest crème colored jeans which have been discontinued and fetch a mint on the open market.  He also wears a Tom Ford navy polo that IF it were available would cost $495.00.  After his ‘altercation’ with Slate he finds himself in the possession of a Y-3 black jacket that is rarer than hen’s teeth and goes for hundreds of dollars when you can find one.  Finally, he wears those amazing Ryder 3 chukka boots from Churchs, retail price of $500.  So all in your entire Haitian Bond outfit will cost you roughly $1500.00 IF you could find all the pieces. OR….

You could first buy a Sunspel navy polo instead of the Tom Ford one.  What’s that you say?  Sunspel?  Hey, aren’t those the blokes that made the shirt for Casino Royale?  Why yes they are, and a better representation of what you see in QoS you will not find.  The shirt is comfortable, breathes well and at $95 is an investment in what will be one of your favorite Bond pieces.  Not to mention it carries the Casino Royale crest of approval!  If however $95 is still too steep you could always purchase a great navy polo at http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10038531 which is (wait for it) only $3.  For crème or white jeans you could visit www.levis.com and look under their 501 Original Jeans-Global Blues in the color white.  The blue jean that started it all. Their button-fly 501® Original Jean is still straight through the seat, thigh and leg, just like the Staprest. The tilted waistband pitches toward the front just like it as well and it’s only $59.  There are a multiple of places to buy the black jacket Bond wears while on the motorcycle but I found some of the best ones at Banana Republic and Gap for about $50.  Still breaks the bank?  I have personally seen the George – Men’s Metro Zip jacket at www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10136078 and it fits the bill nicely, even being a slim fit type jacket.  Finally, you will need the suede chukka boots and these can be obtained for ¼ the cost of the Churchs at http://theshopforshoes.com/shop/Classic_Boots.html.  Make sure you look at the John White – Westbury chukkas as they have received HIGH reviews for those that have purchased them.  For under $125 you will have a great replica of the Ryder 3s and these boots are even welted like the Churchs with amazingly high standards.

MATHIS Retrieval:

When Bond has no one to trust he heads to Italy to implore his friend Mathis to join him on his mission.  As he drinks cheap white wine Bond relaxes in a Tom Ford cardigan costing $1300, Tom Ford shirt costing $750, Levis Beige Staprest jeans, and those wonderful Ryder 3 boots for a total of $2600.00.  DON’T spill any wine on your outfit, Bond!  Since we have already discussed the boot alternatives we will continue to work our way up with the pants.  The Levis eco Vintage Straight 539 Pants in beige are a terrific version of the ones seen in the movie and they retail for $39.00.  JCrew has a wonderful slim fit white dress shirt that mimics the feel of sea island cotton but a white shirt like Bond wears under his cardigan can really be found anywhere.  You do want to pay special attention to one that is not broadcloth but rather light and airy.  Finally, the black shawl cardigan can be had at Zara stores now.  Simply replace the buttons that this sweater has with leather cross-hatch ones and viola, instant accuracy.  I also hear that www.marksandspencer.com has a very good alternative called The Autograph.  This cardigan is a chunky mid-weight one as opposed to the Zara one that is light weight.

Perla de las Dunas:

Because a pair of 7 of mankind jeans will set you back $175.00 and we know what the TF Polo and Church’s Chukkas will cost you, but MOSTLY because you can’t buy the dark blue jacket Tom Ford made for the movie we bring you some other choices.  We have already discussed the chukkas and the blue polo but let’s discuss the jeans.  The 501s in Tidal blue are not only a great alternative to the other higher end jeans, but are flattering and comfortable as hell.  I own a pair and I can tell you first hand they are among my favorite jeans.  They can be found in Kohls or at the following web site for Macys:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=321212&CategoryID=16513&LinkType=EverGreen.  As Tom Ford made the blue jacket especially for the film (even though he offers a brown or black one in his store for $2500.00) you will be hard pressed to find one that’s dead on.  That being said www.warriorclothing.com offers an excellent deal on a navy blue Harrington jacket cut to the same vintage patterns of the 60s and 70s versions. It is a plain cotton jacket in Navy with an eye-catching red tartan lining and famed for the unique features on it. It has all the details you need on a Harrington- the button collar, flap style pockets and even the wavy shoulder seam.  This jacket on their web site is only $35.00 and definitely plays the part.  it can be purchased at: http://warriorclothing.com/uk/shop//product_info.php?cPath=74&products_id=548&osCsid=92bdb989bd9593eef05737f1b00af75c

Sunglasses:

The observant among us will notice that I haven’t mentioned anything about sunglasses alternatives.  I truly believe this is one area you shouldn’t scrimp and quite frankly the Tom Ford official ones are a good deal and they look great on.  Bad lenses are a recipe for bad eyesight.  Now, if you already have bad eyesight www.target.com carries a pair of men’s sunglasses that looks the part except it has a little extra ridge material around the nose.  But trust me, if you are going to invest in any Bond piece from this movie the sunglasses and the Churchs Chukka boots are sure things.

Well, now that the wife has locked me out of my finances and has forced me to write a rescinded letter to Mr. Ford, I too will be dipping back into the world of Budget Bond.  The next article will focus on the suits, ties, shirts, and accessories we see Bond wear in Quantum of Solace.  Till then, watch those sheckles and keep watching those bargain bins…

The Quantum of Solace Score

1. Time To Get Out (3:28) The album opens ominously, with rumbling drums and low strings gradually spiralling up until exploding into a percussion and brass-centred action piece, one of Arnold’s best. The Bond Theme is heard teasingly.
 
2. The Palio  (4:59) Pretty similar to the previous cue, both in arrangement and content albeit with more prominent string work heard between the action bursts.

3. Inside Man  (0:38) A strong bass carries this short piece.

4. Bond In Haiti  (0:35) Scene-setting “local” music with the Bond Theme woven in, much as with previous similar cues (eg “Welcome To Cuba” on Die Another Day).

5. Somebody Wants To Kill You (2:17) Latinesque percussion and guitars interspersed with solid work from the brass and strings.
 
6. Greene & Camille (2:13) A string-heavy slow-paced cue.
 
7. Pursuit At Port Au Prince (5:58) Once again, a low-key ominous string introduction sets the atmosphere before the pace quickens when the percussion enters, only to quicken again and again prior to a classy coda using the Bond Theme on strings.
 
8. No Interest In Dominic Greene  (2:44) The Bond Theme, in distorted form, on keys opens an intriguing string-based cue.

9. Night At The Opera  (3:02) Carrying on from the previous cue and developing its motifs while gradually increasing the excitement, this is one of the best tracks on the album.

10. Restrict Bond’s Movements (1:31) Deep strings and tinkling keys.
 
11. Talamone  (0:34) There’s a great Bondian melody implied in this too-short cue.

12. What’s Keeping You Awake  (1:40) Tinkling keys over long chords from the strings.

13. Bolivian Taxi Ride  (0:39) As with track 4, “Bond In Haiti”, more Latinesque guitars/percussion incorporating the Bond Theme.

14. Field Trip  (0:41) Variations on the Bond Theme.

15. Forgive Yourself (2:26) Atmosphere-setting string work, interrupted by a burst of action music before the recurring piano melody takes over.
 
16. DC3 (1:15) An effective tension-builder.
 
17. Target Terminated  (3:53) Solid, driving action music, not dominated by percussion.      

18. Camille’s Story  (3:58) Low, slow strings with those tinkling keys once again playing the recurring melody (”Camille’s Theme”, perhaps?) leading into a lovely guitar-played coda.

19. Oil Fields  (2:29) A quiet opening gradually builds with the aid of the Bond vamp.

20. Have You Ever Killed Someone? (1:32) The Bond vamp underpins the introduction; percussion and orchestral chords enter then fade away.
 
21. Perla De Las Dunas  (8:07) Another ominous string-filled opening, more developed than previously, leads to standard Arnold action music till around the halfway mark, when sombre strings take over

22. The Dead Don’t Care About Vengeance  (1:14) Haunting strings are jarringly interrupted by guitar.

23. I Never Left  (0:40) The piano motif, again over lush strings.

24. Another Way To Die (4:23) Composed by Jack White, performed by White and Alicia Keys. Unusually, the main title song is placed at the end of the album- but then, in the film itself the gunbarrel sequence appears at the end too. The actual music is fine, though the lyrics and processed vocals have proved controversial among Bond fans. The version heard over the titles is edited.

Buy The Quantum of Solace Soundtrack

You can purchase the Quantum of Solace Soundtrack CD from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.