31 reviews
OSS 117 is a french secret agent, a very very french one. His new mission is to exchange a microfilm for money with an ex Nazi in Brazil. for this mission, he will have to team up with a Jewish sexy secret agent and the hippie son of the ex-Nazi. Whatever...The story is not that interesting, this is a parody of 007, a fine one. here, the hero is stupid and old fashioned, but sure to be the opposite. every single line he says is full of anachronism and ignorance, he has no idea of what he's dealing with and he's kind of childish. But he's the best french agent. Hubert Bonisseur de labathe is our own french Austin Power, for a more mature audience. Here, the laugh comes from the gap between the world OSS thinks he lives in and the real world, and the fact that, even facing the real world, he never changes his mind. The first episode was great, funny and thrilling, a complete absurd spy movie. this one is funnier, because now, we now the main character is a complete idiot, but he always gets what he wants, even if quite don't understand how.
This second OSS 117 is actually some kind of remake of "Furia A Bahia Pour OSS 117" made in the sixties with Frederick Stafford.But the stories are different ,only the location is the same.André Hunebelle's work was entertaining ,but Hazanavicius's beats him hands down.Like the first film ,nothing is to be taken seriously and that's fine with me,particularly with an actor as funny as Jean Dujardin.
A spoof on spy thrillers which does not spare anybody from James Bond to the Nazis to the CIA ,with a lot of hilarious lines .In spite of occasional parts which drag on (the chase in the hospital) ,there's almost never a dull moment in "Rio Ne Repond Plus" (the title ,like in many spy thrillers ,bears no real relation with the plot!) Allusions to James Bond and Hitchcock abound.His Jewish colleagues call him " double one seven" .Bill Trumendous (what a name!) is some kind of Felix Leiter (Ken Samuels ) ,roaring with laughter ("That Hubert!he was a born joker!")and cracking bad jokes .The ending combines "Vertigo" and "North By Norwest" ;the "I've got a screw loose because of something which happened in my past" trick was much better applied on "Le Caire Nid D'Espion" though :the circus is not that convincing.The split screen was a famous gimmick in the second half of the sixties ("the Thomas Crown Affair" " the Boston strangler" ) and it is used with good results ,notably in the scene of the phone calls.
The action takes place in the sixties hippie times ,but OSS has still got the mind of a man of the fifties .Completely uneducated ,he substitutes a macho attitude and an obsolete moral ("he may be a Nazi,but he is still your father !honor thy father!") for his total incompetence.He may be stupid but he is not malicious when he asks his (female) colleague what the Jews have against the Nazis.It's not sure he knows what he is taking about when he replies " Ah !concentration camps!what a carry-on!" Jean Dujardin shines in this part of the dumb spy and the last scene about China with puns galore -which Sacha Guitry might have loved- may suggest a third episode in this country (Didn't they fight against the Americans in WW2?/ Those were the Japanese/I see ,the Japanese Chinese.)
A spoof on spy thrillers which does not spare anybody from James Bond to the Nazis to the CIA ,with a lot of hilarious lines .In spite of occasional parts which drag on (the chase in the hospital) ,there's almost never a dull moment in "Rio Ne Repond Plus" (the title ,like in many spy thrillers ,bears no real relation with the plot!) Allusions to James Bond and Hitchcock abound.His Jewish colleagues call him " double one seven" .Bill Trumendous (what a name!) is some kind of Felix Leiter (Ken Samuels ) ,roaring with laughter ("That Hubert!he was a born joker!")and cracking bad jokes .The ending combines "Vertigo" and "North By Norwest" ;the "I've got a screw loose because of something which happened in my past" trick was much better applied on "Le Caire Nid D'Espion" though :the circus is not that convincing.The split screen was a famous gimmick in the second half of the sixties ("the Thomas Crown Affair" " the Boston strangler" ) and it is used with good results ,notably in the scene of the phone calls.
The action takes place in the sixties hippie times ,but OSS has still got the mind of a man of the fifties .Completely uneducated ,he substitutes a macho attitude and an obsolete moral ("he may be a Nazi,but he is still your father !honor thy father!") for his total incompetence.He may be stupid but he is not malicious when he asks his (female) colleague what the Jews have against the Nazis.It's not sure he knows what he is taking about when he replies " Ah !concentration camps!what a carry-on!" Jean Dujardin shines in this part of the dumb spy and the last scene about China with puns galore -which Sacha Guitry might have loved- may suggest a third episode in this country (Didn't they fight against the Americans in WW2?/ Those were the Japanese/I see ,the Japanese Chinese.)
- dbdumonteil
- Apr 17, 2010
- Permalink
Comedy spy-thriller with Jean Dujardin as inept secret agent versus nasty high-ranking Nazi played by Rudiger Vogler . Secret agent OSS 117 foils Nazis, beds local beauties , and brings peace to Rio De Janeiro . It's 1967 and the secret agent Hubert Bonisseur De la Bath, a.k.a. OSS 117 is ordered a dangerous investigation in Brazil to the strains of Bossa nova. Hubert Bonisseur is the French spy considered by his superiors to be the best in the business , this time his assistant is the charming Mossad agent who is also seeking the Nazi . He's been sent on a mission to Rio De Janeiro , to look for a former SS officer who went into exile in South America after WWII . His eventful mission takes him all across Brazil , from Rio to Brasilia and the Iguazu Falls , accompanied by a beautiful girl named Dolores Keulachov played by Louise Monot. The man is charming , and so is the young girl spy . Filmed on luxurious sets their tale is by turns an exciting intrigue and a love story . He acts as a playboy , this results to be his cover while he is busy investigating, foiling Nazi attacks and bedding local beauties . Hubert Bonisseur De la Bath, a French spy, is in Brasil to investigate the disappearance an ominous Nazi . He is he smart spy , or is he an imbecile ? He fights well but he's supremely smug and self-confident, even as he's deaf to cultural nuance and others' feelings , so the odds are even that he might survive .
Funny moments along with embarrassing in this second entry about secret agent OSS 117 with a likable Jean Dujardin , role of the accidental spy who doesn't know fear or danger in this comedy spy-thriller . In this entertaining adventure, the most unlikely intelligence officer in French Secret Service must stop a group of international Nazis conspirators led by a previous SS officer before they cause global chaos on the world . Hubert Bonisseur, a French secret agent who dreams of rising beyond his menial job within the OSS organization, after all the other agents are bumped off is hired to discover a microfilm where appears names of collaborationists with Nazis . With one shot at redemption, he must employ all kind of means to unravel a web of conspiracy that runs throughout an ambitious plot . Hubert must use every trick in his play-book to achieve his objectives . For Hugo Bonisseur, disaster may be an option, but failure never is.
This second installment is an acceptable comedy though the formula is well known with 'The Pink Panther' series and recently with 'Johnnny English' by Rowan Atkinson . It stars clumsy Jean Dujardin as one man show accompanied by a gorgeous Louise Monot . The movie gets entertaining and hilarious moments here and there. This slapstick picture contains amusing , funny scenes , fresh and diverting moments but also flaws and gaps . Jean Dujardin steals the show parodying the ordinary international secret agent , James Bond-alike , including his ordinary faces , grimaces and gestures ; he plays stunningly the highly unorthodox agent, the inept and bungler secret agent from OSS .
Appears as secondary the prestigious German actor Rudiger Vogler , Win Wenders's usual ; furthermore two French beauties as Louise Monot and Reem Kherici. The actors seem to enjoy themselves immensely giving funny interpretations . Lively and atmospheric music by Ludovic Bource. Colorful and glimmer cinematography by Schiffman . The film is well penned and directed by Michel Hazanavicius that maintains the slapstick franchise . He also directed in similar style the original film titled ¨OSS 117 El Cairo¨ with Jean Dujarjin and Beatriz Bejo ; both of then will repeat in the successful and recent ¨The artist¨ including Golden Globe nomination . Several chuckles and gags , the result of which is one acceptable second entry . The flick will appeal to comedy fans .
Funny moments along with embarrassing in this second entry about secret agent OSS 117 with a likable Jean Dujardin , role of the accidental spy who doesn't know fear or danger in this comedy spy-thriller . In this entertaining adventure, the most unlikely intelligence officer in French Secret Service must stop a group of international Nazis conspirators led by a previous SS officer before they cause global chaos on the world . Hubert Bonisseur, a French secret agent who dreams of rising beyond his menial job within the OSS organization, after all the other agents are bumped off is hired to discover a microfilm where appears names of collaborationists with Nazis . With one shot at redemption, he must employ all kind of means to unravel a web of conspiracy that runs throughout an ambitious plot . Hubert must use every trick in his play-book to achieve his objectives . For Hugo Bonisseur, disaster may be an option, but failure never is.
This second installment is an acceptable comedy though the formula is well known with 'The Pink Panther' series and recently with 'Johnnny English' by Rowan Atkinson . It stars clumsy Jean Dujardin as one man show accompanied by a gorgeous Louise Monot . The movie gets entertaining and hilarious moments here and there. This slapstick picture contains amusing , funny scenes , fresh and diverting moments but also flaws and gaps . Jean Dujardin steals the show parodying the ordinary international secret agent , James Bond-alike , including his ordinary faces , grimaces and gestures ; he plays stunningly the highly unorthodox agent, the inept and bungler secret agent from OSS .
Appears as secondary the prestigious German actor Rudiger Vogler , Win Wenders's usual ; furthermore two French beauties as Louise Monot and Reem Kherici. The actors seem to enjoy themselves immensely giving funny interpretations . Lively and atmospheric music by Ludovic Bource. Colorful and glimmer cinematography by Schiffman . The film is well penned and directed by Michel Hazanavicius that maintains the slapstick franchise . He also directed in similar style the original film titled ¨OSS 117 El Cairo¨ with Jean Dujarjin and Beatriz Bejo ; both of then will repeat in the successful and recent ¨The artist¨ including Golden Globe nomination . Several chuckles and gags , the result of which is one acceptable second entry . The flick will appeal to comedy fans .
OSS 117: Lost in Rio (2009)
Sequels being what they are, this is not quite a match to the original spoof from 2006. But when you have something almost as good as something really terrific, it's still enough. This is enough, for sure, even with the novelty of the situation worn thin.
The main reason is lead actor Jean Dujardin, who continues his parody with aplomb--all the same suave, self-effacing, sexist, racist, ridiculous mix. Instead of Muslims taking the brunt of the jokes, it's Israelis. But the impossibly short skirts and general parading to a male audience is still in place, for better or for worse. And lots of wonderful facial expressions and double-takes.
The rest of the production team is intact here: director, cinematographer, composer. The time period is something like 1968, a few years later than the "Nest of Spies" 2006 version, which is more 1963-ish. So there is an entertaining but less stylish move from "Mad Men" territory (the drinks, the music, the high style) into counterculture territory(most notably the hippie orgy stuff). The hilarious flashbacks of the first movie (on the beach) have been updated to a dramatic but unfunny circus act. And so on. Which is to say, this is a slightly different and slightly less movie.
But, it is still filled with fast, and ridiculous, and comic situations. The cars are great, and Rio is great (it seems to have been largely filmed there, or some impressive CGI stuff is at work). The campy final scenes at the big Jesus statue overlooking the city is purely a Hitchcock spoof (mostly "Suspicion" on the Statue of Liberty with a little "North by Northwest" at Mr. Rushmore). Oddly, this is a kind of parody of something so specific, a kind of post-modern reference, it distracts slightly from the more generic parody that makes up the whole. However, I have to quickly add that it's really well done, very visually astonishing.
So, see this movie if you've seen the first, by all means. If you have a choice (and currently both are streamable on Netflix), I'd start with the start, and then see if you're ready for more. And hang in there because it seems there almost has to be a third. Success is hard to repress.
Sequels being what they are, this is not quite a match to the original spoof from 2006. But when you have something almost as good as something really terrific, it's still enough. This is enough, for sure, even with the novelty of the situation worn thin.
The main reason is lead actor Jean Dujardin, who continues his parody with aplomb--all the same suave, self-effacing, sexist, racist, ridiculous mix. Instead of Muslims taking the brunt of the jokes, it's Israelis. But the impossibly short skirts and general parading to a male audience is still in place, for better or for worse. And lots of wonderful facial expressions and double-takes.
The rest of the production team is intact here: director, cinematographer, composer. The time period is something like 1968, a few years later than the "Nest of Spies" 2006 version, which is more 1963-ish. So there is an entertaining but less stylish move from "Mad Men" territory (the drinks, the music, the high style) into counterculture territory(most notably the hippie orgy stuff). The hilarious flashbacks of the first movie (on the beach) have been updated to a dramatic but unfunny circus act. And so on. Which is to say, this is a slightly different and slightly less movie.
But, it is still filled with fast, and ridiculous, and comic situations. The cars are great, and Rio is great (it seems to have been largely filmed there, or some impressive CGI stuff is at work). The campy final scenes at the big Jesus statue overlooking the city is purely a Hitchcock spoof (mostly "Suspicion" on the Statue of Liberty with a little "North by Northwest" at Mr. Rushmore). Oddly, this is a kind of parody of something so specific, a kind of post-modern reference, it distracts slightly from the more generic parody that makes up the whole. However, I have to quickly add that it's really well done, very visually astonishing.
So, see this movie if you've seen the first, by all means. If you have a choice (and currently both are streamable on Netflix), I'd start with the start, and then see if you're ready for more. And hang in there because it seems there almost has to be a third. Success is hard to repress.
- secondtake
- Sep 16, 2011
- Permalink
Apparently, there was some OSS 117 series back in the 60s. I have never seen it and know nothing about the films. I do know, however, that just recently there have been a couple cute French spy films starring Jean Dujardin. Neither film makes a lot of sense, but they are entertaining and fun. Previously, OSS 117 went on a mission to Egypt. Now he's being sent to Rio to track down an ex-Nazi and obtain a list of French collaborators. Oddly, this film is set in the 1960s--and the previous one was set in the 50s. No matter, it's the same silly old spy character.
As I said above, the film makes almost no sense at all. The Nazis have two Mexican luchadors (wrestlers in hoods) who run about Brazil in suits! This is an obvious nod to the silly Mexican luchador films where you see characters like el Santo going on dates, fighting crime or monsters or making love--all in the silly hood. There are also some black Nazis--again, this film never tries very hard to make sense! While it is all silly fun, this is still a rather adult movie--much more so than the one set in Cairo. There is some nudity, a lot of blood and a CIA agent named Bill who uses the most amazingly colorful language I've seen in a long time. Also, while it makes fun of OSS 117's racism, sexism and overall arrogant xenophobic manner, the easily offended might still blanch at the film. But considering he IS supposed to be an idiot, his comments about Jews, women and the like are all intended to point out his idiocy.
In many ways this film is like an Austin Powers and Matt Helm film put together. Like Helm, there is the Dean Martin music and OSS 117's manner is pure Helm. Plus, like Helm, Dujardin is a nice looking guy. It is a bit Powers-like....but much, much more subdued and subtle--something you'd never call a Powers film! Cute and entertaining in a very low-brow sort of way.
As I said above, the film makes almost no sense at all. The Nazis have two Mexican luchadors (wrestlers in hoods) who run about Brazil in suits! This is an obvious nod to the silly Mexican luchador films where you see characters like el Santo going on dates, fighting crime or monsters or making love--all in the silly hood. There are also some black Nazis--again, this film never tries very hard to make sense! While it is all silly fun, this is still a rather adult movie--much more so than the one set in Cairo. There is some nudity, a lot of blood and a CIA agent named Bill who uses the most amazingly colorful language I've seen in a long time. Also, while it makes fun of OSS 117's racism, sexism and overall arrogant xenophobic manner, the easily offended might still blanch at the film. But considering he IS supposed to be an idiot, his comments about Jews, women and the like are all intended to point out his idiocy.
In many ways this film is like an Austin Powers and Matt Helm film put together. Like Helm, there is the Dean Martin music and OSS 117's manner is pure Helm. Plus, like Helm, Dujardin is a nice looking guy. It is a bit Powers-like....but much, much more subdued and subtle--something you'd never call a Powers film! Cute and entertaining in a very low-brow sort of way.
- planktonrules
- Feb 3, 2011
- Permalink
The two new OSS 117 movies has a kind of humor which is both intelligent and dumbed-down at the same time, which I find extremely amusing. It really reminds me of the classic Pink Panther movies with an almost as good leading man as Peter Sellers in Jean Dujardin. And unlike Steve Martin completely ruining Clouseau, Dujardin is quite brilliant.
The comments regarding the movies' being anti-semitic, are obviously a case of a complete lack of humor and therefor understanding.
Whether you will enjoy or hate this movie really comes down to what kind of humor you have. I can't wait for the sequel!
The comments regarding the movies' being anti-semitic, are obviously a case of a complete lack of humor and therefor understanding.
Whether you will enjoy or hate this movie really comes down to what kind of humor you have. I can't wait for the sequel!
- writers_reign
- Jan 19, 2010
- Permalink
Well actually there are quite a few "Oss 117" movies, but this is the second one with Jean Dujardin as Oss 117! A third one is about to follow (and I hope IMDb is right and it will come out next year/2010). I love the movies. And you actually don't have to have seen the first one ... but it's great, so actually maybe you should (have)! ;o)
Seriously though: Jean Dujardin is back, as an obnoxious agent, but a lovely one at that. An agent, who does not know the word regret and or the meaning of "political correct". So he hasn't changed (really) from part 1, but that's exactly how we like him. With this movie (and the one before that and surely the one after that), you will either love or hate the movie/character.
So are you into a "Bond" movie that actually is rather a spoof and will you love it? I still haven't seen the original movies, but I'm afraid I'm too spoiled by these movies, so I won't really enjoy the earnest Oss 117. Anyway, I can only highly recommend this movie ...
Seriously though: Jean Dujardin is back, as an obnoxious agent, but a lovely one at that. An agent, who does not know the word regret and or the meaning of "political correct". So he hasn't changed (really) from part 1, but that's exactly how we like him. With this movie (and the one before that and surely the one after that), you will either love or hate the movie/character.
So are you into a "Bond" movie that actually is rather a spoof and will you love it? I still haven't seen the original movies, but I'm afraid I'm too spoiled by these movies, so I won't really enjoy the earnest Oss 117. Anyway, I can only highly recommend this movie ...
In late 2011, "The Artist" got released. It went on to win Best Picture (only the second silent movie to do so), as well as Best Actor and Best Director. Prior to its release, I had never heard of Michel Hazanavicius or Jean Dujardin. Right after I saw "The Artist", I saw an earlier collaboration of theirs: "OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies".
"OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus" ("Lost in Rio" in English) is the sequel to that movie. It's a litany of silly fun as Dujardin's suave spy gets sent to the Brazilian metropolis to find a Nazi fugitive. The movie finds time to make fun of stereotypes, namely the chauvinistic Frenchman and the ugly American. There are a few incongruous aspects, but this sort of movie is all about blatantly silly fun, and it's very much a good time, as was "Nest of Spies". As for "The Artist", its win combined with the Oscars won by "Hugo" have hopefully put the "freedom fries" attitude to rest forever.
"OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus" ("Lost in Rio" in English) is the sequel to that movie. It's a litany of silly fun as Dujardin's suave spy gets sent to the Brazilian metropolis to find a Nazi fugitive. The movie finds time to make fun of stereotypes, namely the chauvinistic Frenchman and the ugly American. There are a few incongruous aspects, but this sort of movie is all about blatantly silly fun, and it's very much a good time, as was "Nest of Spies". As for "The Artist", its win combined with the Oscars won by "Hugo" have hopefully put the "freedom fries" attitude to rest forever.
- lee_eisenberg
- Jan 5, 2013
- Permalink
- morrison-dylan-fan
- Jan 5, 2019
- Permalink
Although I was pleasantly surprised by the previous OSS movie ; this sequel is just terrible. The story lacks rhythm and logic. Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath in the first movie was a caricature of the conservative Frenchman of the 50s : racist, sexist, arrogant... However, these traits were not emphasize so much as in the sequel and he had charisma.In Rio ne répond plus, he is just a one dimensional obnoxious a**hole. The other characters are simply useless (especially Dolores ; I cannot even blame the actress for her performance, as the character lacks personality). As for humor, I did laugh a few times, but not as much as I was hoping. French cinema at its worth.
I depise comedies, especially French comedies - I am French - except old Louis De Funès, Bourvil and Fernandel films - and I hate those stupid movies where I need some one to tell me when to laugh.... But those 0SS 117 features starring Jean Dujardin, there are three of them so far- I LOVE IT. And I was at first very reluctant to imagine OSS 117 as comedies. You see, I saw the genuine OSS 117 when I was a kid, starring Frederic Stafford, which were not comedies at all. So I was afraid to watch those; but what a surprise after the first time I saw them. Here the peculiarity is not the story of course, it is so stupid, but that's precisely the purpose of this masterpiece. To, FOR ONCE, the film presents a hero who is very handsome, the most handsome man on earth, womanizer, great fighter, so elegant, but AND THAT IS ALSO THE EXQUISITE CONTRAST, a guy totally racist, sexist, childish, pretentious, antisemitic, without any education nor culture, idiot at a scale you can't even imagine. I could not stop laughing during the time I saw those movies. Jean Dujardin reminds Jean Paul Belmondo, for instance in LE MAGNIFIQUE, but Belmondo's character was less idiotic, or also Dean Martin in MATT HELM films. Anyway it is absolutely impossible to show a more dumb character on screen. Just enjoy this wonderful tribute to the sixties espionnage films period and more precisely the MATT HELM and FLINT film series starring Dean Martin for the first and Jim Coburn for the second.
- searchanddestroy-1
- May 25, 2023
- Permalink
Like its predecessor, this film offers us a successful parody of 1960s films in terms of style and technique, increased dark humor compared to the first film, remarkable style, and a Jean Du Jardin who consistently exudes irreplaceable charm.
The criticism implicit in some of the jokes, especially about the extent of collaboration, is also remarkable, a sign that the humor here is not merely superficial.
More generally, it is refreshing to have such politically incorrect humor. This is a film that is aware of its audience's intelligence to see beyond mere humorous provocation. That's what's missing in this day and age.
Also, Bill Tremendous' character is hilarious and memorable. The first scene with him takes your breath away.
The criticism implicit in some of the jokes, especially about the extent of collaboration, is also remarkable, a sign that the humor here is not merely superficial.
More generally, it is refreshing to have such politically incorrect humor. This is a film that is aware of its audience's intelligence to see beyond mere humorous provocation. That's what's missing in this day and age.
Also, Bill Tremendous' character is hilarious and memorable. The first scene with him takes your breath away.
- Motion-Picture-Watchmen
- Jun 10, 2022
- Permalink
I am yet to see The Artist, the film that conquered the Academy preferences and received the Oscar for the Best Film, as well as the Best Actor award for Jean Dujardin. I had recorded however about one year ago one of the previous films made by director Michel Hazanavicius with Dujardin in the principal role as well. Now I included it in the holidays season viewing package, and it was one of the most pleasant and holiday-suited choice that I made.
Lost in Rio (the English title) or Rio ne répond plus happens in the 1960s, when most of the novels of Jean Bruce were written. Bruce's hero Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath was a replica of James Bond, one of the many created in the decades after the apparition of the novels of Jan Fleming, but he had a French touch and Gallic humor, which is the focus of the interpretation of director Hazanavicius. At no moment does he try to be politically correct, actually under the cover of making a film about the 60s he allows to himself to mock and exaggerate stereotypes of French, German and Israelis, Nazis and Nazi-hunters, macho men and babe-shaped women. The result is pretty funny.
Do not invest too much into probing the credibility of the story, sit, relax and prepare for a few good laughs. If you follow this path there are good chances to enjoy this film. Jean Dujardin is certainly a great actor, and watching his work is a delight. An eyebrow, a faint smile or an hysterical laugh can sustain a full gag. He is in good company. I remember some of the French comedies of the 60s and they were really good, not only because they were blessing by actors such as Louis de Funes, Fernandel and Bourvil, but also because they allowed themselves to be crazy and ignore the social conventions. Everything was fair game for laughing. Films like this one, even if they do not hit gold as The Artist contain the promise of starting to build another significant lot of comedies in the French cinema.
Lost in Rio (the English title) or Rio ne répond plus happens in the 1960s, when most of the novels of Jean Bruce were written. Bruce's hero Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath was a replica of James Bond, one of the many created in the decades after the apparition of the novels of Jan Fleming, but he had a French touch and Gallic humor, which is the focus of the interpretation of director Hazanavicius. At no moment does he try to be politically correct, actually under the cover of making a film about the 60s he allows to himself to mock and exaggerate stereotypes of French, German and Israelis, Nazis and Nazi-hunters, macho men and babe-shaped women. The result is pretty funny.
Do not invest too much into probing the credibility of the story, sit, relax and prepare for a few good laughs. If you follow this path there are good chances to enjoy this film. Jean Dujardin is certainly a great actor, and watching his work is a delight. An eyebrow, a faint smile or an hysterical laugh can sustain a full gag. He is in good company. I remember some of the French comedies of the 60s and they were really good, not only because they were blessing by actors such as Louis de Funes, Fernandel and Bourvil, but also because they allowed themselves to be crazy and ignore the social conventions. Everything was fair game for laughing. Films like this one, even if they do not hit gold as The Artist contain the promise of starting to build another significant lot of comedies in the French cinema.
Discovered this film by accident -- was totally unaware of the series it is meant to spoof or its predecessor by the same actor/director team (also responsible for The Artist).
Laugh out loud funny take on 60s spy movies really captures the look of the era -- great split screen visuals and color -- with a soundtrack that will have you heading to ITunes. As for the humour -- if you are easily disturbed by sexism, racism, antisemitism, homophobia and misogyny then this is probably not the film for you even if all of the jokes are self-aware of their inappropriateness and everyone gets skewed equally.
Laugh out loud funny take on 60s spy movies really captures the look of the era -- great split screen visuals and color -- with a soundtrack that will have you heading to ITunes. As for the humour -- if you are easily disturbed by sexism, racism, antisemitism, homophobia and misogyny then this is probably not the film for you even if all of the jokes are self-aware of their inappropriateness and everyone gets skewed equally.
- meduzahollywood
- Jul 21, 2020
- Permalink
After the surrender of France in World War 2 there were essentially two factions within the country with far different agendas. The first group was known as the Free French and they were determined to continue the war against Germany any way they could. The second group consisted of those in the Vichy government who sought to mitigate the worst impulses of the Nazis by ostensibly working with them to a certain extent. At least, that is what many of these people tried to do. Unfortunately, some of them were viewed as traitors to France and were labeled collaborators in spite of the fact that it was difficult to determine the exact reasons why people acted the way they did. It was a complicated time. Be that as it may, this film essentially begins in 1967 with a top French official receiving a ransom note from a former Nazi official by the name of "Professor Von Zimmel" (Rudiger Vogler) demanding 50,000 Francs in exchange for a list on microfilm containing the names of several collaborators within the French government. The demand also stipulates that they want OSS Agent 117 "Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath" (played by Jean Dujardin) to deliver the money to them in Rio de Janeiro. Realizing the damage this information could have within certain branches of the French Government they agree to pay the ransom immediately. However, upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro, OSS Agent 117 meets members from the Mossad who propose a mutually beneficial arraignment which stipulates that they will help him get the microfilm while at the same time they capture Professor Von Zimmel and take him back to Israel to stand trial for his war crimes. Hubert agrees but what he doesn't realize is that Professor Von Zimmel has an ulterior motive for requesting him. Likewise, Hubert also doesn't know that his mission is going to become even more difficult due to the Chinese sending assassins to kill him for an incident that happened a little while earlier. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say I was pleasantly surprised at how well this comedy turned out as it was, in my opinion, even more humorous than its immediate predecessor. I especially liked the performance of Jean Dujardin who played the role of a bumbling and incompetent spy to near perfection. In any case, I recommend this film for those looking for a comedy of this type and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.
- druid333-2
- Jul 7, 2010
- Permalink
- butterman_1999
- May 7, 2019
- Permalink
This film is a great test to see if your friends have a sense of humor, because no intelligent comedy fan could enjoy this. Don't let the excuses that it's "silly" humor fool you; I love silly humor, and I truly love racial and edgy humor, and this film fails at both.
The writing is simply uninspired and feels like a rushed room full of executives wrote it rather than anyone who's ever worked as a comedy writer. The last joke of the movie is such a stinker it sums up the whole film. Bad jokes and lazy writing disguised with charm and good acting.
I saw this film in a theater full of fans who wanted desperately to love it, but an hour in the crowd went permanently silent as the onslaught of forced humor weighed on us all. Many jokes seemed like they would have been funny 40 years ago but today are so hackneyed and simplistic it's just uncomfortable and intellectually insulting.
To put it simply, if you found this movie hilarious, I'm willing to bet my life that you never make other people laugh.
The writing is simply uninspired and feels like a rushed room full of executives wrote it rather than anyone who's ever worked as a comedy writer. The last joke of the movie is such a stinker it sums up the whole film. Bad jokes and lazy writing disguised with charm and good acting.
I saw this film in a theater full of fans who wanted desperately to love it, but an hour in the crowd went permanently silent as the onslaught of forced humor weighed on us all. Many jokes seemed like they would have been funny 40 years ago but today are so hackneyed and simplistic it's just uncomfortable and intellectually insulting.
To put it simply, if you found this movie hilarious, I'm willing to bet my life that you never make other people laugh.
- Comediator
- Mar 4, 2012
- Permalink
OSS 117: Lost In Rio is the sequel from OSS 117: Cairo, Nest Of Spies from 2006. It's about the same level of humor, I wouldn't say there is any difference of quality between those two movies. It's still as silly as it can be, not the kind of humor everybody likes. For me it's just about okay, good enough to watch once but that's about it. The French secret agent OSS 117 is a mixture of Austin Powers, James Bond and Peter Sellers in The Pink Panther. He's a bit stupid but always manages to solve a case and that with alot of luck. Jean Dujardin has the right silly face to play that role. OSS 117 is a bit sexist and racist if you ask me but I guess it fits his character from the sixties. The whole shooting of the movie feels like everything is from the sixties, even the making of the movie. Don't expect a serious story because there is absolutely nothing serious about this movie. A Sean Connery look-a-like secret agent, charming but sexist, a couple dozens of goodlooking girls, a bunch of bad guys and that's what you get for the entire movie.
- deloudelouvain
- Aug 16, 2018
- Permalink
A spy spoof where the hero is a low-brow and self-important tough guy? Well, we're nowhere close to a genius idea, yet it proves to be a really fine approach when depicting racial/sexual prejudices in that big jaw-dropping mouth of OSS117.
Unfortunately he will never be made to look altogether ridiculous. His female sidekick has the unredeeming part of standing one foot in reality while listening to the French agent's abysmal puns without ever punching him in the mouth.
All this stuffy stuff is a big joke, OSS117 is a funny a**hole (at least he thinks he's funny) and nothing is serious. The movie ends up as stupid as its main character, except for a couple of fine one-liners. I suppose we can call this a success as long as there is an audience willing to revere in dumb and dumber bouts of action canned with zero respect for the craft of visual storytelling. A full bag of (mostly) terrible jokes will never make up for the skills of polishing a storyline and building characters, even stupid characters. Even more über stupid characters.
Unfortunately he will never be made to look altogether ridiculous. His female sidekick has the unredeeming part of standing one foot in reality while listening to the French agent's abysmal puns without ever punching him in the mouth.
All this stuffy stuff is a big joke, OSS117 is a funny a**hole (at least he thinks he's funny) and nothing is serious. The movie ends up as stupid as its main character, except for a couple of fine one-liners. I suppose we can call this a success as long as there is an audience willing to revere in dumb and dumber bouts of action canned with zero respect for the craft of visual storytelling. A full bag of (mostly) terrible jokes will never make up for the skills of polishing a storyline and building characters, even stupid characters. Even more über stupid characters.