San Antonio

San Antonio (2004), directed by Frédéric Auburtin, was shown at the 2005 Cinefranco Film Festival in Toronto. (www.cinefranco.com)

The film is an uninspired, weak takeoff on the James Bond movies. Bond, of course, is considered highly desirable by the attractive women he meets. San Antonio's attractions are apparently far beyond Bond's level--almost every woman he meets will do whatever San Antonio wishes just for the privilege of a few moments of bliss in his arms.

The film goes beyond being sexist--it's painfully misogynistic in a unpleasant way that I didn't find funny.

The single--but interesting--redeeming feature of the movie was the fact that San Antonio has a partner--Lieutenant Alexandre-Benoît Bérurier, played by Gérard Depardieu.

It's worth the price of admission--almost--to see Depardieu cast against type as the flabby, slothful, bumbling sidekick to the handsome, competent San Antonio.

If you can ignore the plot and concentrate on Depardieu's acting, you could possibly enjoy this film. Otherwise, stay away.