REVIEW: Funny stuff and more in amusing 'OSS 117'

By DAN BENNETT - Staff Writer | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 9:11 AM PDT ∞

If there was a funnier film released in the past six months (a year? two years?), I'll need a reminder. Meanwhile, "OSS 117: Cairo ---- Nest of Spies," will do nicely.

Based quite loosely on the '50s spy-yarn books starring this character, the film version goes for laughs, and finds those in the best possible ways. Jean Dujardin plays the title character, real name Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath, a French Secret Service Agent assigned to infiltrate Cairo in 1955, and restore order. Seems most every country in the world has an agenda there, and the politics have become too crowded and confusing.

Problem is, OSS 117 is no intellectual heavyweight. He gets the job done in a backhanded way, but not Pink Panther-style. Instead, he's a sort of charming stud, clueless as to his shortcomings as a spy. Still, his debonair charm and impressive fighting skills see him through.

Scenes with dead chickens used as flying weapons, torture by massage, truly bad ballroom dancing and other gags are used splendidly, and "OSS 117" is actually much more exciting than necessary, given its farcical nature. Shot with wide lens and in a nostalgic '50s style, the story also manages to add modern touches without losing our faith. Clever dialogue and an overall intelligence add to the hilarity.

A- "OSS 117: Cairo - Nest of Spies"

Starring: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, Aure Atika

Director: Michel Hazanavicius

Studio: Music Box Films

Rated: NR

RT: 98 minutes

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