A Review by Phil Calabro
2006, 20th Century Fox, Dir. Larry Charles - Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian
Where to start with this one....hmmm. If you haven't turned on your TV recently, or just don't know enough about the comedian himself, chances are you've never heard of Borat. He's a middle-aged journalist from the country of Kazakhstan, has a thick bushy mustache, and knows nothing about American culture. He is, to Americans, your average oblivious foreigner. But there's more to a movie like 'Borat' than just mangling the English language and watching him stumble across New York City like an idiot. Here is a satire - so simple, yet so remarkably sharp - that blows away the comedies of today. The gangly character is the brainchild of British-Jewish comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, better known for the moronic hip-hopster Ali G. Cohen flounders across the country in disguise, with Ken Davitian portraying fellow Kazakh producer Azamat Bagotov, interviewing real American folk and throwing in as much offensive and awkward conversation as possible. But Borat brings out the worst of people - exposing skin-deep bigotry and ignorance - through the miracle of comedy. But you can't help laughing - in fact, you're bound to be in tears by the end. 'Borat' is genius at its best.
The plot aforementioned doesn't really need to be described anymore, and I'd prefer to save as much for you to find out for yourselves. Borat Sagdiyev (Cohen) has been recruited by his government with Azamat (Davitian) to learn more about American culture as to benefit their own country. Trekking out to New York City, the reporter meets several people before learning the miracles of cable television. It is there that he watches a show of such genius - known to us as 'Baywatch' - and our hero is lovestruck by blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson. But after all, Borat is married - he wants to meet this Pam woman. In one fell swoop, Borat packed his bags anyway and persuades Azamat to travel cross-country to marry her. In their trip, they encounter and interview a great variety of people, all ending in wild consequences. Again, I refuse to tell anymore - the laughs come a mile a minute, and to delve on one could affect the rest of the ride. Let's just leave it at that.
Cohen has created such an elaborate, bizarre world all around Borat. Laced with anti-Semitism and various bigotry, it's no wonder why the Kazakh government has been up in flames over the portrayal of their country. Borat brings up every category of offensive humor possible, jabbing at every race, creed, and language - and whipping out gags involving bestiality, incest, and other scatological tidbits. Sure, you may squint at some the film's filthy humor, but it's hard to not laugh. Borat is too lovable - he means no harm to anyone he meets, he's just not like them. He tries to be as hospitable as possible, even though Americans aren't used to being kissed as a greeting. It's hard to really critique Cohen as his character, as he has become a wholly different person in the making. Ken Davitian is in the same boat, as he has become Azamat Bagotov in essence. The two as a comic duo are inseparable, and watching the two communicate is hilarious.
Example: Our suited protagonist enters a gun shop, and asks politely what kind of gun would be best "to shoot a Jew." The storeowner looks at Borat, and without a pause, suggests a particular handgun. It's 'Borat's un-edited vignettes along his road trip that fire up the social satire, letting the character narrate his stops with sly political commentary trickling underneath. One minute, he will throw a joke about the nature of American government, next minute he's making a joke involving STDs. The variety of director Larry Charles' final picture shows surprisingly depth for such situational comedy, and exhibits Cohen's talent for improvisational humor. Every person we meet is stunned or shocked by his behavior, and most of all, it's always going to surprise us. Is there good reasoning for some people becoming infuriated with Borat's casual racism, or is it for the better? I vote for the latter, otherwise the opportunity for good satire is missed. Cohen stresses the uselessness of political correctness through his humorous displays of rancor.
If you are easily offended by jokes involving race, sex, and other crude acts, then this is simply not your type of movie. But for those who appreciate laugh-out-loud acts of silliness and dirty jokes, as well as poignant satire, 'Borat' has your name written all over it. It is, in essence, the funniest movie of 2006.
