Mirrors in Skyfall

Charmed & Dangerous

I've noticed there are a number of scenes with Bond looking into a mirror in Skyfall:

1.In Turkey, when we first glimpse him "enjoying death"', popping pills (painkillers?)

2. At the new MI6, digging the remains of Patrice's bullet from his shoulder

3. Shaving in Shanghai

4. Moving the large mirror with Kincaid at the lodge.

I'm guessing this is purposeful by the writers/ director, but why? To show Bond's introspection or something else? Any ideas?

walther p99

Charmed & Dangerous wrote:

I've noticed there are a number of scenes with Bond looking into a mirror in Skyfall:

1.In Turkey, when we first glimpse him "enjoying death"', popping pills (painkillers?)

2. At the new MI6, digging the remains of Patrice's bullet from his shoulder

3. Shaving in Shanghai

4. Moving the large mirror with Kincaid at the lodge.

I'm guessing this is purposeful by the writers/ director, but why? To show Bond's introspection or something else? Any ideas?

not just Skyfall, there's a few mirror scenes throughout CR and QOS as well.

always shaken

isn't there a mirror scene in Goldfingers private jet and I think it was a 2 way one

MadMax

Charmed & Dangerous wrote:

I've noticed there are a number of scenes with Bond looking into a mirror in Skyfall:

1.In Turkey, when we first glimpse him "enjoying death"', popping pills (painkillers?)

2. At the new MI6, digging the remains of Patrice's bullet from his shoulder

3. Shaving in Shanghai

4. Moving the large mirror with Kincaid at the lodge.

I'm guessing this is purposeful by the writers/ director, but why? To show Bond's introspection or something else? Any ideas?

Also you could add the time he spends staring at his reflection in the pool in SkyFall. This picture from his back was analyzed in one of my magazines. If you're interested I could translate the thing He was compared to Narcissus in the article. Bond was said to be puzzled between shame and admiration for himself at his age. "We're both played out." :007)

Charmed & Dangerous

Thanks all for your views. It does seem interesting that it appears four times in SF. - not to mention the pool ( I'd certainly be interested to read your article Mad'ax, thank you). Scenes with mirrors have often appeared as Walther P99 and Always Shaken note, Eg PTS fight in Casino Royale and of course in Goldfinger's jet. But his seems a bit more purposeful...

Thunderpussy

I did think as Bond hears the news of the attack on MI6 while looking in a mirror.
Then had to leave his "new" life to go back to reality, removing the fragments from his shoulder looking in a mirror. Was a kind of nod to "Alice in Wonderland" , leaving one reality for another.

Lexi

Charmed & Dangerous wrote:

I've noticed there are a number of scenes with Bond looking into a mirror in Skyfall:

1.In Turkey, when we first glimpse him "enjoying death"', popping pills (painkillers?)

2. At the new MI6, digging the remains of Patrice's bullet from his shoulder

3. Shaving in Shanghai

4. Moving the large mirror with Kincaid at the lodge.

I'm guessing this is purposeful by the writers/ director, but why? To show Bond's introspection or something else? Any ideas?

Actually in the first scene you mention, he looks anywhere OTHER than the mirror, as if he's ashamed of who he's become, as he can't even look at himself....I only noticed that as I had read this thread just a few days ago, and then watched Skyfall that evening.

Craig also has good mirror scenes in CR....especially after he killed the man in the stairwell...and he's cleaning himself up....
Then again when he drinks the salted water to make himself sick. Rather reminded me of the iconic scene in Bullett with Steve McQueen.

This is why I love Craig in the role as Bond....these little nuances are acted brilliantly, and for me adds layers to 007`s character...something I felt Brosnan's Bond just didnt do.

Blackleiter

Lexi wrote:

Charmed & Dangerous wrote:

I've noticed there are a number of scenes with Bond looking into a mirror in Skyfall:

1.In Turkey, when we first glimpse him "enjoying death"', popping pills (painkillers?)

2. At the new MI6, digging the remains of Patrice's bullet from his shoulder

3. Shaving in Shanghai

4. Moving the large mirror with Kincaid at the lodge.

I'm guessing this is purposeful by the writers/ director, but why? To show Bond's introspection or something else? Any ideas?

Actually in the first scene you mention, he looks anywhere OTHER than the mirror, as if he's ashamed of who he's become, as he can't even look at himself....I only noticed that as I had read this thread just a few days ago, and then watched Skyfall that evening.

Craig also has good mirror scenes in CR....especially after he killed the man in the stairwell...and he's cleaning himself up....
Then again when he drinks the salted water to make himself sick. Rather reminded me of the iconic scene in Bullett with Steve McQueen.

This is why I love Craig in the role as Bond....these little nuances are acted brilliantly, and for me adds layers to 007`s character...something I felt Brosnan's Bond just didnt do.

I agree, Lexi. It's the "little nuances" that set Craig apart from most of the other Bond actors. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he brings to the role in Bond 24.

Charmed & Dangerous

Lexi wrote:

Charmed & Dangerous wrote:

I've noticed there are a number of scenes with Bond looking into a mirror in Skyfall:

1.In Turkey, when we first glimpse him "enjoying death"', popping pills (painkillers?)

Actually in the first scene you mention, he looks anywhere OTHER than the mirror, as if he's ashamed of who he's become, as he can't even look at himself....

That's a great point Lexi and I think we're finally getting to Mendes's intentions in using the mirrors. Perhaps it's because they reflect his state of mind, as madMax and Thunderpussy have also mentioned. At first he does seem ashamed if himself, but by the end he has regained his purpose in life...

Lexi

Charmed & Dangerous wrote:

That's a great point Lexi and I think we're finally getting to Mendes's intentions in using the mirrors. Perhaps it's because they reflect his state of mind, as madMax and Thunderpussy have also mentioned. At first he does seem ashamed if himself, but by the end he has regained his purpose in life...

I would think so.... from deflection to reflection... as well as using it as a lie (Scotland lodge) - it would seem the mirror analogy can depict quite a few emotions, without saying a word B-)

Thunderpussy

The mirrors don't bother me. I just can't figure out all those shots of
trains pulling in to tunnels. What's the meaning in all that ? )