open?”
Subtlety is the keyword here. Others would call it mature, cerebral humor, where less is more, but for most modern day young adults, explicitness is a plus. The language Borat uses is full of sexual innuendos, which, unlike puns, are obvious, but also very funny.
Cohen exploits the cultural differences of Borat and the featured Americans, creating uncomfortable situations which, interestingly enough, produce genuine human responses. Whether many of the scenes in the film are scripted or improvised is up for question. The camera filter on the subway scenes certainly suggests that it is a hidden camera and the public’s reaction to Borat is real. This is just part of the genius of the film, since it poses as a documentary, yet weaves in and out between documentary and narrative. The narrative parts are the weakest section of the film, but fortunately they do not overextend their welcome.
One of Borat’s most blatant and unknowing faux pas is his view of Jews. Scarily enough, he shares the notion of some Midwesterners circa 1960s that Jews have horns on their head (heard that story from my Mom years ago and couldn’t believe it at first- I was young, what can I say). Unlike the protestors seeking to ban the film for its (not so?) obvious satirical stance, I was laughing at the Jew jokes just as much as those ripping on females, blacks, gay, rednecks, and everyone else you’d find in America.
If you already like Borat from the television show, you will most definitely enjoy the movie. For those unfamiliar with Borat, and not into bathroom humor, this isn’t for you. Cohen satisfies the common viewer with enough sex jokes and bathroom humor to last the film’s length. The political incorrectness works so well because Cohen is aware of what he is saying, while many of the people he speaks with are completely unaware of his awareness (follow that?). In short, it’s a twist on dramatic irony with Borat and the viewer playing the joke on the uninformed interviewee. I am anticipating the DVD release, hoping it restores plenty of the footage that didn’t make the final cut of the film.
Movie Grade: A-
Synopsis:
In Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen - star of HBO's hit comedy "Da Ali G Show", takes his outrageous Kazakhstani reporter character Borat to the big screen. In this hilariously offensive movie, Borat travels from his primitive home in Kazakhstan to the U.S. to make a documentary. On his cross-country road-trip, Borat meets real people in real situations with hysterical consequences. |
