Sacha Baron Cohen brings one of his characters to the big screen in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. Borat is a “documentary” about one of Cohen’s characters who made his debut on Da Ali G Show. What makes this great is that even though it is not a “real” documentary, it sets itself up as one.

Borat, a television reporter from Kazakhstan, comes to America to film our culture in order to educate the people of his homeland. However, plans change when Borat sees a re-run of Baywatch. He instantly falls in love with Pamela Anderson and immediately sets out to find and marry her.

One of the more interesting parts of the film was the reactions of the people in the film to Borat’s behavior. Borat greeted most people by kissing them on the cheek, which is not a normal thing in our culture. It was amusing to see how the reactions varied from people playing along to other people being completely disgusted.

What also interested me about people’s reactions was how intolerant some people are about other cultures. During one scene Borat is at a fancy dinner party and shows, what we consider, proper etiquette. Because of this one of the women at the table says how easy it would be to “Americanize” Borat, like there was something wrong with his culture.

There are a few things in this film that may offend people. Do not see this film if you do not like anti-Semitic jokes (although Cohen himself is Jewish). Borat is probably best to see in the movie theater. In a theater there is a large crowd enjoying the film and laughing along to the funny, yet disturbing, scenes.

Before seeing this movie I was a bit skeptic but I was pleasantly surprised at how funny this film was. There were many jokes in this movie that I normally would not have laughed at, but this film just made them hilarious. I literally spent most of the film in tears.

Cohen’s performance in this film is also quite admirable. Not many people are so dedicated to a character that he or she would allow another person to sit on his or her face in the nude. This man is truly devoted to his art.

Grade: A

STAFF WRITER
CASEY VANDERWALL
Email address:
cev7732@sjfc.edu

 

To be completely honest, when I found out I would have to pay $8.75 to see Borat, I wasn’t excited.  I thought it was going to be another “shocking” comedy, along the lines of Jackass or Wedding Crashers.  Not to speak poorly of both movies, but that type of humor, although hilarious at points, is not usually my cup of tea. 

Don’t get me wrong, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was not without its intensely gross and utterly offending moments, but it has an air of intelligence as Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G) makes his way across the “U.S. and A.”

 Borat, however, succeeds at being the funniest movie of the year, and perhaps the funniest movie in a long time. 

It is shock humor with a brain.  It is also the perfect definition of “politically incorrect”; I found myself laughing uncontrollably (until I cried at some points) while the whole time thinking, “I should not be laughing, this is completely horrible.”  It is, but the movie is done in such a way to that is delves into true human nature and digs out what people are truly like. 

People in the film are confronted with those whose culture is completely opposite of theirs while a camera is in their face, and the results are hilarious and jaw dropping. 

At some points, I found myself in disbelief at some of the things Americans were saying about people different from themselves. 

Although some parts are obviously staged, a bulk of Borat’s encounters are impromptu encounters with real people.  The realness of some parts adds to the appeal of the movie as well. 

As a society we are used to seeing similar skits and messages on such shows as Saturday Night Live, but when you realize that real people - not actors - are saying things unscripted you are appalled and enthralled at the same time. 

Another amazing aspect of the movie is how Cohen can keep a straight face for the whole two hours of the movie.  I, for one, would not be able to contain his composure through any of his outrageous actions. 

 As a whole, Borat brings attention to cultural issues in the “U. S. and A.” in a way that audiences can relate to, and laugh at uncontrollably.

Grade: A-

STAFF WRITER
SARAH JONES
Email address: slj06863@sjfc.edu