Jagshemash!

Rating: 7/10 (12 November 2006)

BORAT is a film that I had been heavily prepped for. I had been told it was one of the funniest films ever made. I had also heard that it was pretty much the most offensive thing ever made. Well, both counts are wrong. Borat is a funny movie, there is no denying this, but it isn't the funniest movie ever made. In fact, it's not the funniest movie of the year (which, in my opinion, was Clerks II). However, it is very original and enterprising, two qualities that movies recently have very little of (Employee of the Month, I'm looking in your direction), so I have to appreciate it. If not, we might never get more of those kind of films! The plot (if you want to call it that) consists of this. Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) is a minor Kazakhstani TV personality. He is sent by the government of Kazakhstan to the United States in order to learn more about the prosperous country in the hopes that the lessons he brings back could transform Kazakhstan. Once in the United States, Borat sees Pamela Anderson on a rerun of Baywatch and decides that he must make her his bride. So he sets off on his way to California, with his camera crew and producer. That's all there is. It's pretty much a way to set up uncomfortable situation after uncomfortable situation featuring Borat as interviewer, talking to everyone from a feminist women's group to a dinner party of conservative southerners.
Now, if you consider yourself a "blue-stater," you'll find a lot here to laugh at. If you're a "red-stater," you might find yourself the butt of a couple of jokes, as Cohen skewers many of the midwesterners he comes across, satirically pointing out racism, homophobia, sexism, conservatism, hatred, bigotry, etc. Granted, he probably used the best footage (as he stays in character and much of his "on the spot" interviews are not scripted), but it still certainly leans in one way. You have to give him credit though, because it is very funny at times.
My friend, upon exiting the preview screening, summed up the film like this: "That movie was out of control," he said to me. "But did you think it was funny?" I asked him. "Yeah, but it was out of control." Cohen is not afraid of anything, and that's certainly to his benefit - he pretty much has to be fearless to play this character. As for the "is it funny" part - yes, it is funny, but it isn't as funny as I had hoped it would be. The set-ups are great, and the satire is spot-on, but often times I found myself smiling more than laughing. When I did laugh, it wasn't from the gut, but more a chuckle. But I'm nitpicking. This film is so much funnier than any of the "frat-pack" movies. The problem is, I think I'm a little too hooked on Cohen's fellow Brit Ricky Gervais's THE OFFICE and its brand of humor. Yes, they share a lot in common, but THE OFFICE is less satire and more character humor. DA ALI G show had more of this character humor, but with Borat Cohen aims more towards satire, which is funny in its own way, but not quite as much as it could have been.
In the end though, I would gladly pay $8 to see it again. I shouldn't be so picky. Perhaps the amazing quality of DA ALI G show and the advance reviews gave me too much hope. BORAT is a ridiculous film -- it is indeed out of control, as my friend said. And don't believe the hype -- it's not nearly as offensive or controversial as some people might want you to think. They just don't get it.
Review by Ross Putman, written for http://www.boxofficefanatic.com