Apparently, Casino Royale is the best Bond ever, not because of the amazing stunts, or the number of Aston Martins destroyed as accessories to the plot (three apparently), but because 007 has discovered his vulnerability. For Bond to be displaying a level of psychological realism may seem to detract somewhat from the comic book invincibility we know and love but I was spellbound. When he’s kicked or thrown down a flight of stairs he bleeds, the red-rimmed eyes tell of endless sleepless nights, and finally we watch, fascinated, as his heart is well and truly broken.
Which led me to thinking about authenticity, what connects us to each other and focuses our attention. If, instead of exhibiting weakness by allowing other people to perceive our vulnerability we in fact begin to appear more real in their eyes, and our communication takes on a deeper meaning as a result? As the new 007 illustrates, it takes a certain type of strength to be vulnerable, to relinquish the fragile shell we call confidence and just be ourselves.
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