Oh, James Bond, the quintessential spy who never seems to run out of gadgets, charm, or questionable depictions of women! Our very own Dame Helen Mirren has decided to take the Aston Martin out for a spin and call out the age-old franchise for its, shall we say, less-than-flattering portrayal of the fairer sex. Yes, the legendary actress is not mincing words, and you know what? It’s about time someone did! 🎬💥
Helen Mirren, the Oscar-winning queen of our hearts, has thrown some serious shade at the James Bond series, labeling it as "profoundly sexist." In a recent chitchat with The London Standard, she made it crystal clear that she has never been a fan of the spy series that has us all shaken, not stirred.
"The whole series of James Bond, it was not my thing. It really wasn’t. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond," Mirren declared, with a tone that would make even M raise an eyebrow.
And before you ask, no, she’s not campaigning for a female Bond. She believes the franchise’s very essence is steeped in outdated views, and a gender swap isn’t going to cut it. Instead, she’s all about real-life stories of extraordinary women in espionage. "Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service; they always have been," she pointed out with the wisdom of a seasoned spy herself.
Mirren, with her signature grace, suggests that filmmakers should focus on the awe-inspiring tales of women who served in the French Resistance. Now, those are stories that would make any spy movie enthusiast sit up and take notice!
But here’s the twist—our Dame Helen does have a personal link to the Bond universe. Her cousin, the late Tania Mallet, graced the screen in the classic Goldfinger. So, while she may not be a fan, there’s still a dash of Bond in her family tree.
Nisha’s Nutshell:
Hollywood may have its 007, but let’s not forget that behind every great spy, there’s usually a woman rolling her eyes and doing it better. Perhaps it’s time we let the ladies lead the mission, sans the sexism, of course! 😉
Feel free to discuss, debate, or simply sip your martini while pondering on this spicy take! 🍸✨
