Expected more. Much more.

Rating: 3/10 (29 June 2009)

I bought this DVD thinking that the film will be brilliant. Many of my friends saw it and loved it, and it couldn't be bad if it has a rating above a 7 on IMDb, right? Wrong. I expected a lot more from this film.
The story isn't too bad, it's a Kazakh guy who's come to the US to make a documentary. On his way he meets various people and finds himself in various strange situations which we should find funny and fall off our chairs laughing. I didn't. Most of the jokes/gags/situations/whatever you want to call them looked so forced, I wondered if Cohen really has to make it all so over the top and try so hard to be funny. I just repeatedly raised my eyebrow and asked myself why on earth this is considered to be so brilliant.
I should've rented it instead, and saved myself some money, instead of buying it.
I didn't find the film offensive, I just didn't find it funny. I do see though why some people would find it offensive.
I am a fan of comedy, and I don't see using stereotypes, sex or whatever else that people may find offensive, as something unsuitable, as long as it is used in an intelligent way. Here the envelope is pushed too far, and the film just loses out, because I think that it had the potential to be a cult classic. Well, it did became one in the end, but I don't think it earned it.
What should you do? If you want to see it badly, rent it, or ask a friend who has it if you can borrow it. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother spending the money.