To me, The Man with the Golden Gun is the most problematic of the Bond film's that we've viewed. Although Bond's misogynistic ways have been apparent in each film, I think TMWTGG takes racism, prejudice, and just cruel treatment in general to new levels. One example that I can't seem to wrap my mind around is when Bond pushes the young boy who tries to sell him something out of his boat. We're used to seeing Bond treat others as disposable, but to use a child (he accepts his help to get the boat running faster) and to push him away without a second thought seems mercilessly cruel. What strikes me as particularly telling is that the boy was trying to sell Bond a carved elephant structure--something blatantly un-English but related to Asian culture. When Bond resists buying the elephant, I think the act represents Western society and culture rejecting and refusing to "buy" into Eastern customs or ideas. Last class, we spoke a little about Orientalism, and I think that scene depicts an especially ripe depiction of the fear of it, and works to imbue Western minds with an immediate rejection of "otherness."
           Another aspect of Bond films that we touched upon last week was how Bond is portrayed in very sexual situations even when he is alone or with men. As I was watching Scaramanga chase down opponents in his strange maze, I couldn't help but think about it as a sort of sexual fetish. I mean, who finds pleasure and fun in entering a maze that could result in your own death? Again, Bond finds himself in a scene of sexual tension with none other that the villain.
          As an overall thought about the film, I was a little disappointed in Rodger Moore's performance. I just didn't find him as charismatic or as charming as Sean Connery. I think this could've been in part because of all the plot distractions that shifted my focus away from Bond, but Moore just didn't have that certain quality that makes you (sort of) like him even when you know his actions are ridiculous. I think it might even be fair to say that Bond was written to be too mean and too selfish in this film, but that may just be my opinion.