My Name Is Modesty

Starring:Alexandra Staden, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Raymond Cruz, Fred Pearson, Valentin Teodosiu, Eugenia Yuan, Ion Haiduc, Bogdan Dumitrescu (II), Marcello Cobzarju, Dragos Bucur, Dan Astileanu, Damian Oancea, Mihai Bisericanu, Stephen Apostolina, Steve Bulen, Richard Cansino, Bridget Hoffman, Phil Proctor, Al Rodriguez, Laura Iordache
Director: Scott Spiegel
Studio: Miramax
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

My Name Is Modesty is a sleek but hardy entertainment based on cartoonist Peter O'Donnell's story about an orphaned girl who survives wars, deserts, and sundry hardships to become the tough manager of a Tangiers casino. Alexandra Staden (Vanity Fair) is the second actress to play Modesty Blaise in a feature film (Monica Vitti took the role in 1966), and her beautiful cool and enigmatic poise are perfect for the mysterious yet likeable heroine. My Name Is Modesty cleverly introduces Modesty's background and wiles in a thriller set during an armed takeover of the casino. Deflecting demands by a terrorist leader (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) while also creatively keeping hostages alive, Modesty agrees to a game of roulette with the strongman. She plays for lives; he plays to hear chapters from her unknown life, reluctantly told. Directed by actor-director Scott Spiegel and presented by Quentin Tarantino (among the DVD's special features is a conversation between the two), the film is a noble, engaging genre piece. --Tom Keogh

Description

Presented by Quentin Tarantino, MY NAME IS MODESTY is the thrilling adventure about a sexy spy who's skilled in the art of deception ... and the ways of revenge! Orphaned as a child and raised by a casino owner with ties to the mob, Modesty Blaise learned early on how to fight, steal, and spy. Once grown, she becomes the casino owner's bodyguard, but is ultimately unable to protect him from a murderous old enemy. Now, with vengeance on her mind, it's time for payback! Based on the popular "Modesty Blaise" series of graphic novels, it's a stylish big-screen adaptation full of action and suspense!

Customer Reviews:

At last - Although not quite there yet.......2007-01-07

At last somebody who actually cares about the series made a film of it. My only criticism is that it was a bit too low budget. Ms Staden was excellent as Modesty, though I agree that she is going to have to work out a bit if she is going to play the older Blaise in a later film.
One point about the secret agent issue: I suggest that some people read/reread the books. It is very clear that Modesty worked with (although not "for" as she herself underlines on a couple of occasions ) British Intelligence more than once. Indeed two of her closest friends are senior intelligence officers - remember the name Sir Gerald Tarrant anyone?

Misleading Case, Not a Bad Movie...........2006-11-24

As previous reviewers point out, the DVD case is completely misleading. Whoever designed the front cover and wrote the back copy clearly had never seen the movie.

* There are no car chases in this movie
* "most lethal secret agent"?!? (She's not a secret agent)
* "sexy spy" (She's not a spy.)
* "revenge ... payback..." (C'mon ... the women is trying to get out of a hostage situation ...)

In addition to...

* While the female lead had her moments, she looks anorexic (not very attractive). There are SO many beautiful women out there ... where do they producer/directors find these boney women?!?
* The overall acting is stilted at times.

If you can get past the lies on the front cover and the low budget production feel, this movie provides a fairly good story.

I'd give it a higher rating, but the unethical false advertising of the cover is something I find very disturbing.

Limited but enjoyable.......2006-07-04

The blurb on the DVD case is very misleading. I only watched it because I'm a huge comic to movie junkie. I just like seeing characters I've grown up with come out of the 2 dimension paper world onto the screen. The movie was stilted but the depiction of Modesty and attempt at providing some depth to her character and building her background was enjoyable. Not a fast paced movie, but intriguing and worth the watch.

After disastrous 60's movie and TV shows, this one shines.......2005-11-10

For a prequel, this was surprisingly good, expecially when compared with previous attempts. As other reviewers noted, production values are not what they could be and Modesty is too flabby to be the fighting machine she is supposed to be. But the director and actors and the writers actually seemed to understand who and what Modesty Blaise is supposed to be about. As for flab, the TV blonde Modesty played by Diana Crosby (I think that was the name) was flabbier and much more of a weakling and the later dark-haired one on TV smiled too much. Except for the flabbiness, I could almost believe this Modesty. I wish they would start making the Modesty Blaise movies. The public is now ready to accept a strong physical woman such as Modesty. If you are a Modesty Blaise fan, the DVD is worth having. Forget the Monica Vitti version however.

Modesty finally gets her due!.......2005-09-02

Peter O'Donnell has created the perfect female James Bond and now they have put her early days in a film that does her justice. Hopefully this is just the first of many. Now that the books have stopped we only have the films to look forward to. It could have been longer and it could have had more action but it was a great start to what could be a great series. Keep it up!

DVD:

DVD List

DVD

DVD

Fun To Know: Learn to Play Electric Guitar

Thirsty Dead

Johnny Mnemonic [1996]

DVD: New Port South

Prime Suspect 4 - The Lost Child