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Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

The path from television to the big screen is not an easy one. Charlie's Angels (2000), Dukes of Hazard (2005) and even Sacha Baron Cohen's first theatrical (although not in the US) spin off, Ali G Indahouse (2002) were all hit or miss. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan proves there's possibility for success after all. Cohen plays Borat Sagdiyev, the ultimate fish out of water, armed with a slew of sex and race jokes that only an immigrant could get away with.

I was fearful. How could a sketch that normally runs for five minutes last a full hour and half? Director Larry Charles knows what he is doing. He sets the movie as a road trip, with each pit stop providing Borat and his manager, Azamat Bagatov (Ken Davitian) an opportunity to question American culture. There are very few pauses in between the episodes that make up Borat, which for a comedy, is a blessing. Cohen already has proven himself hilarious as Borat on Da Ali G Show and extends this service to the filmgoer. The title says it all, as a news reporter, Borat is sent to America to film a documentary. His culture shock, fueled by his broken English and an unfaltering Eastern European accent, seem to justify the ridiculous questions and situations he places on each person he encounters. Prostitutes aren't invited to dinner parties? I must be hanging out with the wrong type of people.

Immigrant humor is not a new topic, and it's one that the Marx Brothers (dare I say) perfected in the early 20th century with a countless number of films (with Duck Soup (1933) around the top of the list). Using an outsider's standpoint, the comedian can question the values that the host country takes for granted. Just to name a few: laws, etiquette, and attire, which all have norms for specific cultures. Seeing the respective norms for opposing cultures clash often results in laughs. Normally an example would fit nicely right here, but as one opposed to giving away plot or jokes, I'll provide an example from the Marx brothers.

It can be argued that the greatest obstacle between immigrants and natives is the language barrier. Cohen, like the Marx brothers, knows this and tests the strangers he encounters with his mock naiveté of the English language. Herein lies the different between the aforementioned comedians; Borat is persistent on having a pussy magnet installed in his new car, while Groucho Marx as Rufus T. Firefly in Duck Soup has the following exchange with Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont):
Mrs. Teasdale: "As chairman of the

reception committee, I welcome you with open arms."
Rufus T. Firefly: "Is that so? How late do you stay 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.