Conversation between Bond and M (Spoilers)

Smoke_13

Back at the estate, there's a dialogue between Bond and M where M says something to Bond to the effect of, "How old were you when your parents died?" Bond replied, "You know the answer to that, it's in my file." - I'm sure that's not exactly it, but hopefully it's close if I'm recalling it correctly.

If M knew the answer to the question like Bond said she did, and I believe she did, why ask Bond? Was she just trying to start a conversation -an icebreaker?

Bond didn't respond to the question any further than that and then the two of them just stood there silently for a bit.

Why was the question brought up and why wasn't it answered past Bond's reply?

77007

Probably just to acknowledge the fact that it happened without giving too many details, for added intrigue perhaps?

Sir Miles

It was just a plot device to re-affirm the fact that Bond's parents had died...but it could have been a way to get Bond to 'open up' to her about how he feels about his parents and losing them when he was so young...

Lexi

Sir Miles wrote:

It was just a plot device to re-affirm the fact that Bond's parents had died...but it could have been a way to get Bond to 'open up' to her about how he feels about his parents and losing them when he was so young...

I think it was to 'tell the audience' (who might not know about Bonds parents) that they had died when he was young.
The fact they (the director) decided not to go into any detail, I suppose makes reference that it's a topic Bond has shut down about.

Just like when Bond said "Done" when the psychologist asked him about Skyfall. A buried box... not up for discussion.

....And didn't Bond say "You know the story...." or something... ?

Thunderpussy

I agree "Plot detail" has to go some where. Along with this, later
Kincade tells M about having to tell the young Bond about his
parents, and how after that he wasn't a Boy anymore.

Smoke_13

Lexi wrote:

Sir Miles wrote:

It was just a plot device to re-affirm the fact that Bond's parents had died...but it could have been a way to get Bond to 'open up' to her about how he feels about his parents and losing them when he was so young...

I think it was to 'tell the audience' (who might not know about Bonds parents) that they had died when he was young.
The fact they (the director) decided not to go into any detail, I suppose makes reference that it's a topic Bond has shut down about.

Just like when Bond said "Done" when the psychologist asked him about Skyfall. A buried box... not up for discussion.

....And didn't Bond say "You know the story...." or something... ?

Thanks Lexi. Wow, not sure how I could have forgotten about the psychiatric evaluation, it was only in every preview, but somehow I did. It does have a lot more meaning now. Before seeing the film I had just assumed the mention of Skyfall during the evaluation was the botched attempt to retrieve the hard drive.

I've never been a fan of the "tell the audience" dialogues. Like sports movies when the announcer says, "If so-and-so sinks this putt (or hits a home run) etc. he wins!" I usual sentiments are if the audience is too daft to figure it out for themselves too bad.