Some four weeks after it was announced, you’re probably still wondering what the title of the next James Bond movie, “Quantum of Solace,” actually means. Star Daniel Craig insisted that the oddly-phrased moniker “ties into the plot,” but don’t tell that to the Oscar-winning writer of the script…because he’s just as confused as the rest of us.
“I have no idea,” Paul Haggis admitted when I asked him for the meaning on the Oscar red carpet Sunday. “It’s not my title.”
Following his stellar work on “Casino Royale,” Haggis passed in his second and final draft of the then-untitled 22nd Bond script just hours before the Writers Strike began. Casting, filming, and an official title have all made major headlines in the months since, all while the high-profile “Crash” writer/director has moved on to other projects.
Sometimes, a star’s lack of words says everything you need to know. So, believe me when I say that Haggis was less-than-enthusiastic about the three-word title that has been attached to his script. When I asked what he thought of it, he just sighed and said: “No comment.”
With the exception of what will be appearing on theater marquees next November, Haggis said he’s encouraged by the reports he’s been getting from “Finding Neverland” director Marc Forster’s set. “I’m not supposed to say anything [about the plot],” he shrugged. “I finished it before the strike, and now they’re off shooting it. I haven’t actually heard from them, other than the fact that it’s going very, very well. And Marc’s doing a great job. That’s what I hear.”
Does is worry you that the main writer of “Quantum of Solace” has no idea what the title means? Or are you willing to give the Bond team the benefit of the doubt after “Royale”?
February 25th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Quantom of Solace come from the book a view to a kill, and means someone has lost all caring for someone. It wasn’t a very action packed story so it doesn’t matter that the writer doesn’t know it. Just shows his lack of research
February 25th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I definitely trust the Bond team. “Royale” was one of the best Bond films. It restarted a golden era of 007. Though it’s not the best news that Haggis doesn’t know what it means, the title seems to fit the movie from what I’ve heard. Daniel Craig said what it meant a while ago, but it was still a little confusing. I trust them though.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
The title actually comes from the short story collection “For Your Eyes Only”. There IS a story called “From A View To A Kill”, but it’s not the name of the book.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:35 am
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=Quantum
“Quantum”
1. quantity or amount: the least quantum of evidence.
2. a particular amount.
3. a share or portion.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/solace
“Solace”
1. comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; alleviation of distress or discomfort.
2. something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief: The minister’s visit was the dying man’s only solace.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Damn, is it really that hard to pick up a book and read? And it’s a short story for god’s sake.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I don’t think it’s very important, that Haggis did not know the title. It’s probably the “best of the rest”, given that most of Flemings’ popular titles have now been exploited.
The excitement is centered around the follow-up from Casino Royale - THAT title needed impact. And it had plenty.
I’m simply thrilled that writing duties have been handed to Paul Haggis; continuing with the previous team would have caused irreparable damage.
Quantum of Solace? Why not! I’m excited already!
February 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
It’s just another way of saying “measure of comfort.”
February 26th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
its from the short story “for your eyes only”
February 27th, 2008 at 12:38 am
I think they shoulda called it “a lil bit o comfort.” That way us dummy Americans would get the title.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I hated Casino Royale. It felt too much like a Jason Bourne movie. I prefer the more campier, over the top Bond films in the tradition of You Only Live Twice. I rather enjoyed Die Another Day but didn’t like The World is Not Enough. For me, Bond is all about the gadgets, over the top villains bent on world domination, explosions, dry humor and sexy women.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Keep the campie Bond scripts give me more like Casino Roayle. The physical violence and brutality is a stark contrast to the Roger Moore piffiness.
As far as I am concerned, the producers can re-make all of the BOND movies with Daniel Craig.
I have to admit that I was one of those who doubted a blonde-haired, blue-eyed British agent would work, but I have been converted.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
‘Quantum Of Solace’ is one of the very few remaining Ian Fleming titles that haven’t been made into a movie. That particular short story is not very cinematic, but it is an interesting look at relationships and human behavior. In the story, when Bond hears the phrase, he restates it as ‘the amount of comfort’ that was no longer present in the plot’s romantic characters. I’m sure they will tie it in somehow, and it really doesn’t matter anyway…I’ll be viewing Craig’s next outing as Bond. Cheers to Craig for his respect of the character, and cheers to the producers for the nod towards Fleming in choosing the title.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I don’t see the problem, its a good title, from Ian Fleming himself, a bit off-kilter, classy title, classic Bond. Much better than Thunderball.
If Haggis had a better one I’d like to hear it.
Royale was outstanding but I know this one won’t be as good, cos I don’t see Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton being anywhere near as good as Eva Green.
And good luck trying to top Sebastien Foucan and Mads Mikkelsen for bond baddies.
Don’t think it will be as sexy or spectacular.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
After Casino Royal, I think I am going to trust the cast and writers and the sexy new bond to make this movie just a fantastic as the last one, no matte what the title is. By the way, there was an interview on you tube with Daniel Craig explaining what the strange title means. It ties into the plot because Bond was left devistated by the loss of vesper in the last movie and quantum of solace means finding a center or discovering yourself, so the next movie will probably be about how james needs to think about his future.
I know i’m obsessed. Casino Royale is my fave movie, but I just saw the invasion with Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman and it was great as well.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Measure of Comfort, as Adam rightly pointed out….broad enough to cover contents of the short story, stretched into a ’summary’ plot with lots of action in between to flesh out the bones…. Yawn
March 17th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I shudder when I see people say they “prefer the more campier, over the top Bond films” as Dan does. The pre-Casino films were becoming too embarrassing to watch, with their sloppy innuendos and their insulting gadgets. Anyone who read Fleming’s original work knows that the stories were about relationships, fear, longing, and several other _real_ things. Casino Royale is the most accurate adaptation of the novels to date. (OHMSS and NSNA both came close.) Unfortunately, I doubt the person who writes things like “more campier” has even read Fleming’s novels.