Bond...James Bond. But no, this is the story before Bond, the story that inspired Bond. This ladies and gentlemen, is Fleming, a 4 part mini-series from Sky. Apparently it's Sky who are behind it, as they're quoting it as an original Sky production, yet Wikipedia claims Fleming comes from BBC America (make of that what you will). Anyway, Fleming I found to be a rather enjoyable, slickly told, smoothly executed look at Ian Fleming's war years, where the budding author (played by Dominic Cooper) tries to prove himself amid the second world war, whilst also dealing with his far from simple relationship with Ann O'Neill, portrayed by Lara Pulver. As I say I mostly enjoyed it, and would certainly reccomend it, yet I feel there were some areas that held Fleming back from being a TV mini-classic, for which I certainly feel it had the potential to be.
Thus let us naturally take a look at the iconic man himself. Part of the problem I think, is that at no point were the minds behind Fleming clear cut about who they wanted Fleming to be, or at least if they were they did not really show it. The Lothario ladies' man, the aspiring soldier, the genius spy sleuth and tactician, the brutish cad, or the hero of the day. Of course, in actuality Fleming is portrayed as all of these, as the series very much takes us through his journey throughout the war. If they pulled off a character that was portrayed as a brilliant balance of all these elements and more that would have been great, but somehow I feel they just didn't. Another part of the problem I'm afraid, is the actor they got to play Fleming. Dominic Cooper's Fleming was solid do not misunderstand me, but in terms of him playing any depth or diversity in his character...oh dear. As for Fleming's make up, I think it's also confusingly unclear as to whether they wanted him to be true to Ian Fleming the man, or be more reminiscent of James Bond the legendary character, and what's more which character traits are meant to go with which and/or both. Cooper is fine with the action and adventure side, and he easily slips into the smooth-talking aloof ladies' man in a suit, but when it comes to all the other facets; the depth, the gritty, emotive and raw drama (physically and emotionally) I feel he misses the mark more often than not. This results in a central character who only seems suitable half of the time, which in a mini-series like this just isn't enough, and the other half seeing the character rushing into everything in a scene all guns blazing, with an arrogance that (part of the character or not) doesn't seem totally deserved. I don't blame them for the casting of Cooper as Fleming, at times I praise them for it, I just wish he were a tad more watchable and believable.
Where Cooper fails however, he is saved by Lara Pulver who plays Ann O'Neill opposite him. Feisty, emotive, formidable, loving, lustful, deep, vulnerable, sexy, somber I could go on and on; Lara Pulver is brilliant. Having made quite a name for herself with shows like Spooks and Sherlock, she had a lot to live up to as I'm sure many were watching her performance closely in Fleming, but they had nothing to fear. At almost every turn Lara Pulver encapsulates perfectly the character and story of Ann, who is trapped by marriage and circumstance during World War II, and who embarks upon a tempestuous relationship with Fleming, eventually culminating, as Fleming fans will know, in their marriage.
For me, she is definitely the stronger of the pairing, and what's more she only enhances the dynamic that is so crucial to this story. Ian Fleming and Ann O'Neill work brilliantly when portrayed by Dominic Cooper and Lara Pulver, chiefly because each compliments the other so well, and one knows when to rescue the other when they are falling so well.
Fleming is by no means a tale of just two characters, oh no. They are surrounded with a rather wonderfully talented crop of actors who bring to life characters that are just as engaging. Lesley Manville is great as Fleming's scheming and snobbish mother. Yes on the one hand it is slightly clichéd as she does at times fall into the "domineering mother" role, but even this she does brilliantly, alongside some incredibly subtle and slithering scenes that somehow put me in mind of a Bond villain at times. Samuel West plays Rear Admiral John Godfrey, Fleming's commanding officer and the perceived inspiration for the Bond character M. West again is greatly suited to his role; a perfect blend of pompous upper class admiralty, along with roguish flair and admiration for Fleming and his escapades. Popular and staple Thespian Pip Torrens is ideally cast as Esmond Rothemere. And finally we have Anna Chancellor as Second Officer Monday, or Moneypenny to some. Hers is the character I feel mirrors her Bond counterpart the most in Fleming, but by no means is she a simple and boring character to watch, as she lights up every scene with oodles of wit, charm and presence.
Looking away from the cast for a moment, the other key reason Fleming doesn't work as well as it should have is the Bond element I mentioned earlier. Naturally I know that with anything that looks at Ian Fleming, Bond certainly couldn't be absent, and in many areas I applaud them for emphasizing the connection. Some of the cinematography, sequences and locations are magnificently Bond-esque, particularly the opening of episode one where we get a look at "Goldeneye". Also listen closely to the soundtrack and you will notice a healthy smattering of Bond chords played throughout, often to wonderful effect. It's just in terms of the plot developments, and some of the cast/characters where I found myself wishing they'd make up more of their minds. Either tell the story of Bond through the eyes of it's origins, or tell the story of Fleming whilst keeping a stylized, tactful and weather eye on the James Bond legend to come. Or something to that effect anyway. Trying to mold everything together, as it often seems those behind Fleming have done, and as an audience member one is left with a twisting, turning and confusing state of limbo between historical, factual drama, and slickly paced and stylized fantasy.
Limbo or not, Fleming is very much in the eyes of the beholder, and I suspect most beholders will enjoy it as I have. It does have just enough historical content, which is then glamorized in quite a pleasing and watchable way for television, resulting in an enjoyable and individual British pre-Bond romp.
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