Before there was James Bond, there was Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath. Codename: OSS 117!

Okay, I admit failure. Why, WHY, have I never heard of OSS 117 until now? I thought I was more than “hip” when it comes to international film fare. And as someone who loves spy pictures (and the spoofs that go along with ‘em) overlooking “OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies” is an unpardonable sin. James Bond? Yeah, seen ‘em. “Casino Royale” (with Peter Sellers and Woody Allen)? Saw it. “What’s Up, Tiger Lily?” “Austin Powers.” Yes, yes. And let’s not forget Stephen Chow’s brilliantly goofy Bond send-up “From Beijing with Love.” “OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies” just took first place as the greatest spy spoof I ever saw. Sorry, Stephen.

It’s 1955. French agent Hubert is dispatched to Cairo to find out what’s going on in the Suez Canal. A Russian freighter carrying a shipment of arms has gone missing–along with a French operative, Hubert’s own best friend, Jack. Soon he’s up to his perfectly folded pocket square in trouble, dealing with a deposed king’s lascivious daughter, a group of religious radicals and a splinter cell of Nazis. “Make the Middle East safe,” Hubert’s superior tells him. His reply? “No problem!”

He arrives in Cairo, meets his contact, assumes his cover, then manages to offend just about every ethnic or religious group he encounters while bumbling his way through the mission. He doesn’t know anything about the culture, he doesn’t know when he’s being insulted… shoot, he doesn’t even know when he’s being tortured (he thinks he’s getting a massage). He’s double-crossed, triple-crossed and falls backwards into and out of life-or-death situations…and his hair always looks perfect!

Jean Dujardin plays the titular spy OSS 117 brilliantly, beautifully–think James Bond + “The Naked Gun’s” Frank Drebin + Gob Bluth. I’m totally serious. If you love “Arrested Development’s” Will Arnett, you have to see this guy. In a wonderful performance, Dujardin swaggers through his role blending comic arrogance and cluelessness. He’s got such Connery-like presence. That laugh…those eyebrows. Gotta be those eyebrows.

“OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies” was released in 2006, but I defy you to look at this film and say they didn’t capture the ’50s PERFECTLY. The sets, the costumes, the music, the camera work, even the look of the film with its bleached out color palette captures the era flawlessly. Oh, the music! If you’re having a good old-fashioned cocktail party, this soundtrack is a must-have.

As far as I can tell, the sequel’s already in the can and trailers are floating around the internet. This reviewer can’t wait to see OSS 117 blunder through his next assignment!