I don't need to think a Bond villain is invulnerable, some of the best ones have been weasels who probably couldn't win a fist fight against a 12 year old girl without their organization or henchmen behind them. Le Chiffre isn't your typical Bond villain, he's not even really the main villain. MI6 and the CIA only want him for the information he can provide on other people. He's just a banker, not a megalomaniac with a laser satellite and army of stooges or anything. He's supposed to be vulnerable, that's the plot of the story, the guy is in trouble and is looking for a way out so MI6 want to take away his lifeline and force him to deal. I think the scene works well with the narrative. Without it there's hasn't really been any threat towards Le Chiffre other than M and Bond talking on a beach about how somebody must be pissed off at him. That scene shows you he's a desperate man and the lengths he would go toward later make more sense. Without seeing his neck on the line it's kind of like he's just upset and torturing Bond over money as opposed to save his life. And besides, it sets up a nice action scene between rounds of poker. And a nice little twist, almost Red Grant style, where Bond is not only working to bring Le Chiffre down but has to also protect him until the time is right to bring the plan to a close.
"Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell. Would you like a cookie son?"
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