The Next Generation

Rating: 10/10 (15 November 2006)

Comedy is an ever-changing genre in film. From the early silent, slapstick pictures of Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand to the zany and sometimes "clueless" comedies of the 80's and 90's, comedy refuses to remain stagnant.
Each new generation of comedy has its breakthrough film. Frank Capra's It Happened One Night (1931) introduced the romantic comedy; Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Stopped Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) showed the world how to laugh at war and gave birth to the political satire; and Woody Allen's Annie Hall (1977) gave birth to a more artsy comedy, with originality and emphasis on the dialogue between characters. Now Sacha Baron Cohen has delivered the best thing to hit comedy since the banana cream pie: shocking cultural satire.
I sat in the theatre expecting a movie with little rhyme or reason for being made other than simple entertainment and the opportunity to take a few cheap pokes at religion, America, and a host of unsuspecting victims. When the opening credits rolled, I knew I was in store for something completely different. I got what I expected, just not in the manner I expected to.
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Better Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is genius. One of Cohen's hit HBO series Da Ali G Show's characters is Borat Sagdiev, a Kazakhstani reporter who is sent to America to film a documentary about American culture and why it "is greatest country in the world". The mysteries of proper etiquette, rodeos, automobiles, and woman's rights are all revealed to Borat. Starting in Borat's hometown (more like village), he gives the audience an inside look on the inner workings of his town. After showing off his VCR and sister (the number four prostitute in the country), he gets ready to take on western civilization, or at least all that his country missed. His journey will be time consuming, tiresome, and under budget.
The plot is simple. Borat travels across America in search of "cultural learnings" and his dream girl, C.J. Parker of Baywatch (a.k.a. Pamela Anderson). Along the way he encounters counselors, Evangelists, and a host of unsuspecting bystanders. It is rare to find such an entertaining film with such a thin plot line.
Without Cohen, Borat would be another forgettable film. His dedication and fearless approach to the character, however, makes the film work. He is successful in getting the laughs no matter what the cost. No subject seems to be off limit. A man of the Jewish faith, himself, Cohen's Borat verbally attacks the Jewish community, which exposes one society's biggest enemies: ignorance. This gives the comedy edge and a real satirical bite.
This film will undoubtedly offend those who believe that comedy has strict boundaries. For Middle America and those who appreciate crude, abusive, and hard comedy, however, Borat will satisfy. Some scenes in the film are almost embarrassing to watch and might be too "intense" for some moviegoers. A second look, however, will probably force a chuckle if not a belly full of laughter.
Borat has a hard R rating for language, nudity, adult themes, and crude, sexual content. It has a lot of everything for a lot of people. Candid camera moments as well as some classic comedy motifs unfold into a sidesplitting joy ride. Borat will have "Great success!"