A Wand of Wonder Review of Borat

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (hereby referred to as "Borat" or "the movie" because I don't feel like typing it more than once) is Sacha Baron Cohen's (Da Ali G Show, Talladega Nights) first starring role in a film. Featuring his character of the same name, Borat fills viewers with disgust, horror, hatred, and laughter at the same time, a blend that works surprisingly well.

If you have seen Cohen's Borat sketches before (a quick GooTube search will remedy that), then you know what to expect from his big-screen production. Borat is a Kazakhstani reporter who is constantly sent to America to gain insight on the American people and culture so the government of Kazakhstan can use his findings to make life in Kazakhstan better. Borat is a drastically exaggerated stereotype of the people of Kazakhstan, and Cohen, though Jewish himself, is consistently anti-Semitic in his portrayal of Borat. Borat contains enough anti-Semitic and anti-gyspy attitudes to make Hitler blush.

Cohen's conversational skill can, and should, be considered an art form. He is able to get anyone to say anything and then pin them so they are unable to repeal it. The satirical nature of this film would be impossible without Cohen's sheer conversational proficiency. Borat brings out the very worst sides of people effortlessly and almost innocently encourages people to be the filthy prejudiced morons that they hide from everyone around.

At first glance this movie seems to be a straightforward gross-out comedy, but upon a little afterthought it becomes so much more. Borat is the most pure form of satire available - A real character making people say things from their own minds. The movie conveys the aggressive attitudes of subway-going New Yorkers and the candid prejudice of the American South, Cohen's favored enemy, often without even the smallest bit of provocation. Borat manages to uncover the collective xenophobia of the United States by embarrassing everyone in front of millions of people.

The humor here is nothing short of disgusting. There are numerous scatological, sexual, and racial references. You will be offended, you will laugh, and you will hate yourself for laughing so hard. I felt very guilty after it was all over and the pain in my soul lingered for quite some time after.

The story is pretty straightforward, but I will not go into details because the funniest parts of the movie are the ones you don't see coming. The addition of an actual story in this movie is what gives it that extra boost and it keeps it from being an extended "best of" episode of Da Ali G Show. Though it is ludicrous and flimsy, the story gives the entire movie a drive, a purpose, a structure that keeps the movie from feeling scattered and anticlimactic. I was impressed that they added a story at all, and the fact that much of the movie pertained to that story made me like the movie that much more.

Borat is once again sent to America to interview its citizens so Kazakhstan can flourish. In his first night in the hotel he sees an episode of Baywatch, falls in love with Pamela Anderson, and sets off with his producer to find and marry her. His journey takes him through a gay pride parade, a southern etiquette dinner party, a yard sale, a Pentecostal service, and a night in a Jewish household, with numerous other events scattered in between. Overall the comedy is fresh and even when it falls flat Cohen seems to realize it and he does something completely off-the-wall to redeem himself. I can honestly say that I didn't stop laughing until well after the movie ended.

If you've heard anything about this movie then you have obviously heard about Borat's nude fight with his producer. I am assuming that I am not spoiling anything by referencing this as everyone else has spoiled it already. This scene is in no small part hilarious. You will cringe, you will look away, and when you think the worst is over, it gets even more horrific. How the two filmed this while keeping a straight face and any sliver of pride is beyond me, but it starts off funny and elevates to hysteria before it ends. You may think that you won't like it, but you will laugh even only if it is a natural denial of horror.

My only regret with this movie is that it has effectively killed the character ot Borat. With all of this exposure Cohen will never be able to elicit honest responses from the American people again. However, I'm fairly certain that Cohen's other character, Brüno, the flamboyant homosexual, will get a starring role in the future. Here's to hope.

If you've read this far then you shouldn't need much more encouragement. However, if you skipped this far to get to the stars, I'll sum it up with "go see this movie."

My score: 10/10 . Whether you like poop jokes and racism or not, you will laugh no matter what. Go see the movie today, but leave the kids at home. I'm convinced that I wasn't even supposed to see this movie, but I'm very glad I did.