En garde, worldwide enemies of France, along with all freedom-loving people! Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath AKA super-agent OSS 117 is on the case! Actually, he’s on two cases as a pair of his deadliest missions is now available in a nifty ultra-cool double BluRay gift set. Yes, I know Santa “made the scene” over a week ago, but if you’re wondering what to do with your gift cards or return credits, well…
First, let’s crack open the dossier file on this operative. The character springs from a series of novels begun by writer Jean Bruce, beating Ian Fleming’s 007 by six years. Of course, the movie studios beckoned, and a movie franchise premiered in 1957 and concluded in 1970. Ah, but you can’t keep a good spy down. Five years before they teamed on the Oscar-winning THE ARTIST, director/co-writer Michel Hazanavicius and star Jean Dujardin re-imagined the hero as a slapstick and often clueless oaf. The inspiration for the 21st-century incarnation is of course OG superspy Sean Connery’s Bond, along with touches of James Coburn’s Derek Flint and Dean Martin’s Matt Helm. However, most current audiences may compare him to Maxwell Smart (Don Adams and Steve Carell) and Mike Meyer’s Austin Powers.
The major difference from the last two agent’s exploits is the filmmaker’s expert mimicking of the look and style of the spy genre of the 60s. For instance, in the first parody flick from 2006, OSS 117: CAIRO, NEST OF SPIES, which is set in 1955, there are lots of rear-projection sequences, day-for-night photography, and bright “pulp novel” color (except for the black and white WWII flashback prologue). Dujardin is the perfect sexist equal opportunity offender in his slick-tailored suits accented by his goofball grin and expert comic timing. He’s sent to Cairo to track down the killers of an old pal. And for the romantic subplot, he’s paired with future THE ARTIST co-star Berenice Bejo as a tough Arab operative.
And on the second disc we jump ahead to swingin’ 1967 for OSS 117: LOST IN RIO, as Hubert heads to “warmer climes” to make a payoff (cash for a list of French Nazi colluders). The colors are still eye-popping reflecting the “mod” look (lots of hippies). Plus there’s a great nod to that era’s multi-image, split-screen storytelling ala THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR, not to mention the use of footage from a 50s classic, a Hitchcock-inspired finale, and Matt Helm himself, Dean Martin, crooning on the soundtrack. Hubert hasn’t become more enlightened with time as he clashes with another beautiful female spy, this time from Mossad, played by Louise Monot while eluding former Nazis, vengeful Asian assassins, lucha libre goons, and an American CIA contact who mumbles English language expletive-laden insults.
Now, the gorgeous BluRay transfers should be enough to satisfy any spy parody fans. Ah, but that’s not all you get! Each disc is jam-packed with fantastic extras. There are deleted and alternate scenes, bloopers, feature commentaries, photo galleries, teasers, trailers, and “making of” docs. Actually, the second disc has a bit more as we’re with the cast as they descend upon cinemas running sneak previews and has a very funny on-set profile of star Dujardin. It’s hours of sublime entertainment. And it would look great next to a heart-shaped box of Valentine’s Day candy, or it could easily fit into an Easter basket of goodies. Magnifique, Monseuir OSS 117!
