Live and Let Die
Live and Let Die
Director: Guy Hamilton
Producers: Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman
Writers: Ian Fleming (novel); Tom Mankiewicz
Title Song: Lyrics by Paul and Linda McCartney and Sung by Paul McCartney and Wings
Opening Action Sequence: In New York City, New Orleans, and San Monique Island, three secret service agents are murdered, each in a different fashion. One is killed by way of a deafening hearing device during a diplomatic meeting, one is stabbed while watching a "funeral" pass by in the streets, and the third is killed in a ritualistic voodoo fashion, which involves a deadly snakebite.
Bond Visits: San Monique Island; United States (New Orleans, Louisiana and New York)
Film Gross: $35,377,836--United States; $126,400,000--Worldwide
Kananga's plan is simple: supply Americans with billions of dollars worth of free heroin, eventually forcing the populace to rely on him in order to feed its addiction. And, to keep snoopy locals away, enforce the threat of voodoo on anyone who interferes.
Throughout his mission, James looks to CIA agent Rosie Carver (Gloria Hendry) and Kananga's tarot-reading slave, Solitaire (Jane Seymour), for assistance. Solitaire is initially unwilling to help 007, fearful that she will be killed by her master. However, she changes her mind after making love to Bond, which also causes her to lose her ability to see into the future.
Before he can complete his assignment, Bond must confront Harlem thugs, Tee Hee (Julius Harris), who sports a deadly mechanical claw, and many more of Kananga's henchmen, all with some voodoo thrown into the mix.
However,
Roger does fairly well in his first attempt as 007, and leads us through
great locations in a decidedly different kind of Bond movie. In this
one, James is not fighting to save us all from World War III, and S.P.E.C.T.R.E.
is nowhere to be found. Instead our hero is trying to prevent mass
drug dependency in the United States (hey, it's better than handing out traffic
tickets!).
The first half of the movie is promising, introducing everything from the slums of Harlem (where Bond is referred to as a "cueball" and a "honky") to 007's apartment. Then it becomes utterly laughable as Bond hopscotches across a row of crocodiles and causes a villain to literally inflate until he bursts. Gimme a break!
Kotto's performance as Kananga is disarmingly wicked (he boasts a perpetually unnerving smile) plus, his henchmen are dastardly and cool. For instance, a giddy muscleman named Tee Hee uses his mechanical claw to get things done, while his obese sidekick, Whisper (Earl Jolly Brown), sits around and mumbles inaudibly. Cartoonish fare, but lots of fun to watch.
Unfortunately, the women are pretty bland, overall. Much like Tiffany in Diamonds Are Forever, Rosie is yet another airhead that is caught under 007's spell (and she's a CIA agent?). Her role consists of either screaming in terror or running around in her bathing suit (sometimes both apply). Unlike Tiffany Case, however, Rosie's character is taken a little too seriously.
Then there's Jane Seymour as Solitaire. She serves her purpose well as yet another Bond girl, but her performance and character are both easily forgettable. What more can I say?
So, even with some uninteresting characters, a few unintentionally humorous moments, and an abundance of preposterousness, this film manages to remain an average James Bond adventure. This is mostly due to some exciting chases, thugs that seem to have leapt from a comic book, and a capable performance from Roger Moore. It's certainly not a great 007 flick, but it's enjoyable if taken at face value. Plus, it's got one of the most catchy theme songs in the series. So catchy, in fact, that it was nominated for an Oscar.
Grade: C