[Review] Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond

During four episodes, BBC America has indulged the viewers with a tale of now Bond’s literary father ended up putting on paper one of the greatest spy tales ever to grace our imagination.

 His name is Ian Fleming and if the title of the mini series hasn’t given a clue it’s about his trials and tribulations from the kick-start of WW2 up to the completion of his first James Bond novel.The question that rises each and every time is this: is it anything good about this show?

Yes. You get a good cast with Dominic Cooper as Ian Fleming, a ladies man, a maverick, a troubled soul who not only revolutionized the espionage of her Majesty’s Empire but left as legacy a spy who loved us, had a license (and still has)  to kill and decides each and every time to die another day while facing it all at Skyfall. Alongside Cooper we find Lara Pulver in the role of Lady Ann O’Neill – the Woman (not only Sherlock’s). A great role, an unorthodox romance and a catalyst for the birth of Bond.

The four-part drama directed by Mat Whitecross (Road to Guantanamo) is set at the outbreak of WW2 when the dashing, trouble seeking playboy Ian Fleming is living the high life, chasing skirts, winning the girls, escaping from every peril and…being Bond avant la lettre while driving his mother Eve (Lesley Manville) insane with the usual dash of disappointment.  The breakthrough comes when Director of Naval Intelligence, Admiral John Godfrey (Samuel West) recruits Fleming and the maverick finally gets a chance to use every trick, skill and idea he’s mind has been blessed with and there are many – from the ability to speak German fluently to reshaping the way British Intelligence operated. 

By his side is the ever  faithful  and witty Moneypenny… well Lieutenant Monday (Anna Chancellor).If you get through the almost four hours you realize if curiosity hasn’t struck a cord that James Bond and Ian Fleming have a lot in common. One could say that Fleming put all his demons, ideas, tricks and tales into one character and the world hasn’t been the same ever since. Ian Fleming proved his critics wrong and made something extraordinary with his life.The cast is perfect with a script full of one liners, subtle punches and enough material for every character to shine and not feel like it’s brought for decorum. 

Dominic Cooper can very well apply when the next Bond selection will happen, his Ian Fleming rendition clearly shows he’s got what it takes to be 007. He’s funny, witty, charming, sexy, dark, brooding, clever and sophisticated and paired with one British actress who lives every fan-girls dream. 

Lara Pulver – we’ve seen her in “Robin Hood” as Guy of Gisborne estranged sister, she dazzled us in “Sherlock” as Irene Adler – makes one fine Lady Ann. The S&M love affair of Fleming and Lady O’Neill is portrayed as sensual, dark and captivating as it can possibly be without falling into a casual romp and a quick realization love knocked at their doors.

Before James Bond began his adventures, one Ian Fleming and his tale is worth taking four hours of your program and watching a well done mini-series compliments of BBC America.