It’s remarkable how someone without acting experience could become the star of the year's biggest box office success, only to then step away from performing altogether. Could this mark the emergence of a new kind of film—a “Docody,” as I’ve decided to call a documentary-comedy (it sounded better than "commedary")? Is it all just stranger than fiction? These are questions that come to mind when watching this film, but there's so much more to George Lazenby’s story...particularly the way he recounts it. So, what exactly is it? Becoming Bond isn't in the same league as films like The Thin Blue Line, Grizzly Man, Bowling for Columbine, or Citizenfour—none of those Oscar-winning documentaries. In Becoming Bond, Lazenby shares his life story with moments of stark honesty and genuine emotion. Distilled from roughly forty hours of interviews, it could be summarized as a progression from boy to man to James Bond, but that doesn't quite capture the full picture. George has led an eventful life, and he describes it in a captivating manner. This approach means the truth isn’t always straightforward—so much so that around 40 minutes in, there’s this exchange: Director: How much of what you’ve told me is true? George: Which part? Director: The whole story... George: Hey, how can I remember it if it wasn't true? Becoming Bond employs a similar style to Touching the Void, using actors to recreate certain events. However, where that documentary leaned into drama, this one has a more comedic feel—and appropriately, the acting is playful, reminiscent of television series and character types from that era like Batman or The Brady Bunch. The film’s technical aspects are solid; the directing and editing are well-executed, and the score incorporates hints of Bond themes while maintaining its own identity, much like Lazenby's portrayal of Bond. Josh Lawson clearly enjoys himself, successfully capturing George’s mannerisms and confidence, and there are also brief appearances from Jane Seymour and Dana Carvey. One potential criticism is that the supporting characters feel somewhat underdeveloped, but I think this aligns with the film’s focus—it's George’s perspective on his own life. Becoming Bond stands out as one of the most enjoyable documentaries I've seen. It isn’t a flawless film; it doesn’t have Shakespearean drama or explore a world-altering subject. But what makes this movie special is that it feels exactly like how I imagine it would be if I had the chance to chat with George over drinks. That’s a testament to both the filmmakers and Lazenby himself.

Source on TMDB