Glorious Ignorance

Rating: 8/10 (3 November 2006)

I didn't like the Borat character when I used to watch the "Ali G" show on HBO. He made me uncomfortable but then again I think that's part of the point. He says and asks things that you can't believe, some of which make the unsuspecting interviewee squirm, and some of the audience as well..at least, me.
But I've not read such glowing reviews for a movie since..."The Departed" came out a couple of weeks ago. A reviewer said he's seen it three times and plans on seeing it again this weekend. Reviewers rarely gush over a movie. I wouldn't have been surprised if he said he'd like to kiss the hem of Sacha's garment.
So I saw the first show on West 23rd Street..minutes ago.
The movie is hilarious. Not consistently, but hilarious enough to recommend. There are a couple of dry spots and some of the jokes do not get the desired effect. However, the stuff that is funny is very funny. And when its not very funny, its deliriously funny.
Borat is an innocent. He does not know what he is talking about. Until he is channel surfing and sees the image of Pamela Anderson on "Baywatch" and then his trip to America, his entire life, has new meaning. He and his companion/producer leave NYC immediately and head for California, via Atlanta. He meets all kinds of people, most of which are scary as hell. The ones he does not humiliate, humiliate themselves, unintentionally. The ones he charms would not recognize charm if it had a neon sign. A lot of the trip goes wrong and he has a disagreement with his companion/producer and they part ways. He has no passport, no money, and accidentally burns his ticket back to his country (don't expect me to remember that particular place or how to spell it) so he's at a total loss..more than usual. He ends up in California and meets up with his companion and they find that, miracle of miracles, Pam is signing autographs for her fans. He can't even propose marriage to a total stranger correctly. But he ends up with one of the only decent people he meets, who, by the way, is the only person he meets that I could even imagine having a cup of coffee with. This country is SCARY. Land of the free my ***.
Again, I recommend the movie. Highly. Several of the 'user comments' on this site seem to have missed the point. Their loss. For the rest of us, enjoy enjoy enjoy. The laughter will do you good.
A reporter from the New York Post asked me questions about the movie upon leaving the theater. I told her I'd give it an '8' out of '10', which is what I am doing.