How do you talk about a hilarious, barrier busting film with graphic nudity, raging anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim(ism?), that is pro-gun, pro-incest and pro-attacking Pamela Anderson with a Kazakh wedding sack, and have it come off as the sweet, innocent and good-natured film that it is?
Search me.
It’s enough to know the film is a relentless killer, causing audiences to scream and double over for much of its 88 minutes.
It opens in Kazakhstan with the traditional ceremony The Running of the Jew.
If that’s offensive to you, leave the theater immediately.
Sacha Baron Cohen, has enjoyed status as the most influential star for the past few weeks thanks to Borat, has a brain that bears scrutiny. Against all odds, he has charmed the beast.
The man is entirely original, observant and utterly fearless. The Borat character, from Da Ali G series, borrows from Jackass from time to time, but its spirit is unique.
Borat Sagdiyev is on a mission from the Kazakh government to learn more about he greatest country on earth, the ‘US and A’ for a national television documentary.
He and his producer land in Manhattan and settle into their hotel rooms.
In a life changing moment, he spies C.J., Pamela Anderson, on Baywatch. He experiences bliss. He knows he must have her.
The mission changes and the search refocuses on Pa-MEL-a.
Thus begins a road trip across the states. Along the way, he tastes aspects of American culture, and I mean tastes.
He approaches each situation, like etiquette class and a formal southern dinner, an evangelical soul saving meeting and buying guns and cars with the same openhearted enthusiasm.
His limitations with the English language save his rear many times –people simply can’t believe what he’s saying to them.
Borat’s innocence and willingness to share stories of life in Kazakhstan, goes way beyond the pale. He pushes every possible button.
Frankly, I don’t know how Cohen escaped with his life.
The people he meets along the way are real people, not actors, and their often horrified and often violent response to Borat is real.
He talks about his sexual relations with his mother in law, his sister, his male friends. He sweetly asks his hosts how to dispose of a plastic bag filled with Borat doo doo.
Dressed in cowboy Americana, he addresses a rodeo crowd in Roanoke Virginia, praising the US for its ‘war of terror’ and ‘killing of every man woman and child in Iraq’ - to wild cheering.
Borat and his producer find themselves in a bed and breakfast run by an elderly Jewish couple. As Kazakhs in Borat’s world are terrified of Jews, they make a nighttime dash – for real.
He hitchhikes a ride with shamefully ignorant and misogynist frat boys.
Baron-Cohen is a master actor. He stays in character through police arrests, drunkenness and assaults.
I heard about an incident in the States when he drank too much on a wine tasting tour and passed out in the bathroom. His crew was terrified that he would come to as Baron-Cohen and give away the whole game. But he awoke asking for ‘more vines, please!’
It s one thing to say its a blistering tell-all on American culture, at least in some circles, but that is not its strength. It’s all about Borat, Borat, Borat! And that’s plenty.
Opened November 3 wide USA and UK. MPAA: Rated R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language.
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