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"Bond girls are the only thing my husband watches in James Bond movies." Is there anything wrong with that? Anticipating the upcoming James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, THS writers Sue Leeson and Roger Dawkins (who have a history of disagreement over the "sexiness" of short hair), discuss what makes a Bond girl tick. Is it more than just sexy style and great hair?
Bond Girls and Hair
Roger: So what are we discussing exactly?
Sue: We're not discussing how sexy Bond girls are.
Roger: I know, I know, we're...
Sue: We're discussing what makes a Bond girl tick- in other words, what's their image and how do things like fashion and their hair affect their image?
Roger: Ok... that's kind of been discussed quite a bit before hasn't it... ?
Sue: Yes, so we're going to do something else too.
Roger: Oh?
Sue: Some people say that the actresses who play Bond girls are chosen because they have some natural "Bond girl" quality...
Roger: Really?
Sue: Yes... so after deciding what the Bond girl image is, we're going to talk about whether the actresses themselves have got it, naturally.
 What Makes a Bond Girl Tick?
Roger: Ok Sue, don't get annoyed with me...
Sue: What do you mean?
Roger: Like don't start accusing me of being sexist and stuff, ok, 'cos...
Sue: Well don't say anything stupid then.
Roger: !
Sue: Let's just get to the point here: what do you think makes a Bond girl tick?
Roger: Well... I kind of agree with the feminists out there... the ones who say that Bond films did a lot for women's sexuality... you know, making them strong and stuff- women in control kind of thing...
Sue: Are you serious!
Roger: What... ?
Sue: Do you really think all that... I mean, when you're watching a Bond movie... you really think about how it's great because the women are all empowered and "strong"?!
Roger: Well actually...
Sue: I didn't think so... you're telling me what you think I want...
Roger: No. Let me finish...
Sue: ...
Roger: ...
Sue: Ok, ok...
Roger: Thank you. Anyway, I do think that... and I'm not denying that Bond girls are sexy and seductive too, but I guess I'm thinking that because they're strong women, their sexiness and seductiveness isn't about pleasing men... so they're sexy and seductive, but not in a dumb "eye-candy" kind of way.
Sue: Hmmm. Really?
Roger: Yeah, gimme a break Sue! Guys can say women are "sexy" without it being like they want control of them or something.
Sue: Sure, but sometimes guys saying women are sexy can result in a stereotype of "sexiness" that makes other women feel bad...
Roger: Well maybe, but... what do you suggest guys do then? Not say anything at all? Isn't it different now anyway? Like society's different and stuff, so it's just not as simple as what guys say and like anymore...
Sue: Maybe...
Roger: Ok, your point's noted, can I finish then? ...So like I said, I think Bond girls are strong, independent types, but sexy and empowered too...
Sue: Ok...
Roger: And I think the reason they're empowered- I mean, the reason they are sexy but not just sex objects- is because of their style.
Sue: Their style?
Roger: Yeah their style, and more than anything, their hair... their hair is always so sophisticated.
Bond Girls in the Flesh, Hair Exposed
Sue: Like I explained before, some people think that the actresses that've played Bond girls naturally have that "Bond girl" quality, and that's exactly why they get cast in those roles in the first place.
Roger: Really?
Sue: Yeah, so much so that, after doing a James Bond movie, they can't do another role because everyone thinks they are well and truly Bond girls.
Roger: Cool... I mean, that must be tough, on the actresses and all...
Sue: So what do you think? Take a look at these images we've got from the red-carpet and tell me if you think the actresses still seem like "Bond girls," even when they're not in the movies.
Roger: Hmmm. Ok... I guess I'd be looking to see if they still had that "look" about them, you know, that sophisticated style... slightly dangerous... like femme fatales... not trashy...
Sue: Don't get carried away.
Eva Green
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Roger: Ok sure, well I guess Eva Green totally grabs my attention first.
Sue: Me too.
Roger: She looks really elegant and sophisticated in this image- her dress and dark eyes and stuff... it's all great, but I think her sophistication is mainly because of that great hairstyle... What do you think?
Sue: I agree...
Roger: Its length and lovely volume is so sexy, but for me the curls and the dark brooding color- as well as its simplicity as a one-length style- make her look sexy and sophisticated... so I'd have to say that yes, Eva is a Bond girl in the flesh.
Sue: Yeah, for once I think I agree with you.
Roger: ... and she looks like she's straight out of one of those old movies, you know, black and white with all those shadows everywhere...
Halle Berry
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Sue: You mean film noir movies? I guess so, and also... I think this picture of Halle Berry is very similar.
Roger: With a short hairstyle?
Sue: Yes, so what?
Roger: Relax. I didn't say anything.
Sue: ...Yet! Anyway, I think this is the best example of how short hair is sexy and elegant and classy. It shows off her beautiful features, and her lovely jaw and neck, and not to mention her shoulders, and that's why it's so sexy. And it's such a stylish cut- short and simple- without being too flashy and showy...
Roger: Look, I'm totally with you this time... short hair is sexy and sophisticated on Halle Berry, and she looks as fantastic in that image as she did in Die Another Day.
Sue: So you've changed your opinion then since you attacked short hair?
Roger: Hmmm, I wasn't "attacking"... But anyway, you know Halle was recently voted the sexiest woman alive...
Olga Kurylenko
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Roger: So what do you think about the Olga Kurylenko's hair, the newest Bond girl from Quantum of Solace?
Sue: Boring.
Roger: Really?
Sue: Yes, if that's what she looks like in the movie, then I think there will be disappointment. She's not a Bond girl in the flesh that's for sure.
Roger: What do you mean?
Sue: Well just look at this image. There's nothing sexy and glamorous about her style at all. I mean, talk about boring hair! It's more everyday than anything else... those messy bangs that she hasn't even blow-waved smooth are more like a hairstyle for a quick trip to Wal-Mart.
Roger: So you don't think this hairstyle has the same elegant simplicity of Halle Berry's?
Sue: Definitely not. Sure it's simple, but it's too messy and thrown together to be elegant or sexy. I kind of agree with you about Bond girls... they have to appear strong and independent so that their sexiness can't be used against them... but for me Olga just seems a little... I don't know, lazy and casual...? It's terrible.
Roger: Hmmm... ok... don't get all worked up again though.
Sue: Again? I don't know what...
Roger: Forget it, let's finish up here.
Sue: ...
Sue and Roger agree on something: Bond girls are sexy and sophisticated, and they think that the secret to this image is their hairstyles. They say it's their hairstyles that make these women sexy, sophisticated and strong without being purely the sex-objects of men.
Have you tried a sexy and sophisticated hairstyle lately, a Bond girl hairstyle?
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