Written by: Sacha Baron Cohen(screenplay) Anthony Hines(screen play)
Directed by: Larry Charles
Genre: Comedy
*Rated: R
Running Time: 84 mins
Theatrical Release:** November 3, 2006
*Distributor: Fox Films
Staring:** Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Pamela Anderson,
Bob Barr, Alan Keyes, Bobby Rowe
I’m sure you all know who Sacha Baron Cohen is. He’s best known for his weekly HBO TV sitcom Da Ali G show, a stand up comedy show that’s seen on most cable television stations. Sacha has made a big name for himself in his controversial release “Borat”, a movie that has sparked much controversy lawsuits, and ill feedback from the government of Kazakhstan. However, I must give credit where its due and that is “Borat” is one crazy and funny movie. While its humor is indeed crude and highly offensive Sacha Cohen in a whimsical manner drives home his message of hidden racism in the hearts of everyone who has honesty hidden their inner prejudges against others. Sacha Cohen has no shame in “Borat” because he’s Jewish himself, and undoubtedly has set a shameful image of the Jewish people in this movie.
I had the pleasure of attending its premier screening in August and as I sat in the audience I noticed much laughter and enthusiasm from the audience. I found myself laughing at a scene when Borat encounters a group of African American youth standing on a corner, imitating their demeanor in dress and dialect. “Borat” is an entertaining comedy that will make you laugh, its crude homosexual satire is even more grotesque and funny to those who may find this sort of comedy appealing. Most importantly "Borat" is racially offensive especially to the Jewish people. Moreover, every body gets hit hard in “Borat”; whites, blacks, and woman are the most targeted groups.
In this movie, life is simple in the poor country of Kazakhstan. Borat portrayed by Sacha Cohen is a countryman who introduces his family to us he begins with his mother a gentle looking woman and his sister a known Prostit*te in the town, and his brother a well-known criminal. Borat and his friend portrayed by Ken Davitian are sent on a special mission to the USA by the Kazakhstan Minster of Culture to do a documentary of American culture. When Borat arrives in America his first stop is New York City. His first interview on a subway becomes a funny task when he begins kissing the men, and chasing people away when trying to grab them with affection.
Borat’s voyage to Texas becomes more devastating when he stops at a stadium, and shows his anti American patriotism singing songs against President George Bush, and the war in Iraq. His stop at a religious tent meeting service is even more laughable. Meanwhile, Borat makes his way to a group of elite whites and their social dinner’s club, Borat meets a Prostitte, and brings her with him crashing the dinner with the Prostitte, and a bag of human feces. Later Borat meet a group of college kids and finds a picture of TV actress Pamela Anderson, he falls in love with her and vows to find and marry her. When he finds her his attempt to marry her becomes another unhappy moment for him. Borat does the unexpected when choosing his ideal wife. What happens next? You’ll find out if you haven’t seen this movie.
Final thoughts
I’ve pretty much expressed my thoughts on this very controversial and thought-provoking movie. Sacha Cohen pulls no punches with racism, patriotism, and insults his comedic achievement is what carries this movie to its height of success along with great acting from Sacha Cohen and a very good cast. If you enjoy this sort of humor and want a good laugh than "Borat" is for you, you will laugh endlessly. However, I cannot recommend this movie for its crude and offensive content.
"Borat’ gets 3 stars