Brilliant

Rating: 9/10 (30 November 2006)

Thanks to sharp satirists that came before, like Lenny Bruce, Andy Kauffman, Norman Lear, Redd Foxx and Eddie Murphy, Sacha Baron Cohen and his colleges create a sensation with "Boart." Co-scripter Anthony Hines and Director Larry Charles join forces with Cohen to satirize every sacred cow they can conjure. This includes nationalism, racism, politics, sex and religion.
One outrageous joke after the next leave some audiences in stitches throughout. Indeed, it would be good to have nurses in the lobby to treat those whose sides ache (or have upset stomachs).
Not that this is everyone's cup of tea; far from it. Like much avant garde and underground humor, there is much here that could be construed literally, and be downright offensive.
I suspect this will play better in larger cities and more hip cosmopolitan regions than in more conservative provinces. Well, if some folks don't "get it," that's their problem.
The rest of the younger, hip set will, and laugh themselves silly over the stinging satiric thrusts taken at so many folks' ridiculous prejudices.
There's never been a film quite like "Borat," and it lifts the humor bar several notches higher (or lower, depending on your point of view) -- daring others to "top this." As for "bad p/r," what's scandalous today will be tame turkey tomorrow.
"Borat" is a brilliant piece of work, powerful and unforgettable.