MovieChat Forums > OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus (2009) Discussion > Noel Flantier

Noel Flantier

posted 14 years ago by Ashley Pomeroy
4 replies | jump to latest

Overall I preferred the first film, although this has the powerful sight of Reem Kherici in a leather Nazi dominatrix outfit, which is worth the price of admission ten times over. It's a shame she wasn't in it more. In her leather Nazi dominatrix outfit.

Still, I'm baffled by the "Noel Flantier" joke. Our hero is given that codename and he despises it. The problem is that all French names sound silly to me; I can't tell if it's just a silly name, or a reference to something, or a poke at the fact that Hubert is a silly name, or what. I understand the gag whereby the man who gives out codenames has a silly name himself, but is there something more?

[–] alanbobet 14 years ago

You're correct in assuming that the reason for the joke concerning the "Noel Flantier" name is that French agent OSS 117 considers that name as well as as the other name "Lucien Brammard" he was given as his cover identity in the first OSS117 film,as ridiculous sounding to him,when we viewers know the character's real name of Hubert Bonisseau de la Bath is a really ridiculous sounding name for a secret agent,especially a French one!

[–] toursiveu 12 years ago

Hubert Bonnisseur de la Bath is an aristocratic name, in the OSS 117 novels, he was a wealthy man from a rich family.
Of course, the name "Flantier" is ridiculous because it has "flan" in it... In french, "flan" is some sort of jelly or pudding. Phonetically, "Flantier" sounds a little bit ridiculous and old-fashioned... and typically french.

[–] rexamillion 9 years ago

I don't speak French but I know 'Noel' means 'Christmas'---someone should mention that.
Maybe it sounds like a silly version of Christmas Pudding then?
French speakers, help!

[–] toursiveu 7 years ago

Well, Noël is a pretty common first name for french men.