October 14, 2008
Okay, I think I finally get the whole Borat thing…
I tried to watch Da Ali G Show and I never could get into it. I’m all about dry British comedy, but I just couldn’t get into his shtick. I sat down to watch Borat prepared to be irritated and disappointed, but I was pleasantly surprised that it had me laughing hysterically from the very beginning. (Next bachelorette party I go to, I’m bringing a fist-shaped dildo…I’m also adding it to my Christmas list, if Santa is reading this.)
In addition to hilarious, I also found Borat to be very educational. For instance, I had no idea that Kazakhstan was a real place until they got all pissed off about Borat. I though it was a fake made-up country, like Kerblakistan in Austin Powers. (Yes, I went to public schools.) I don’t get all pissed off about that Mickey Rooney’s retarded parody of an Asian Man in Breakfast at Tiffany’s…much. Or how about all those films making fun of Germans, like Triumph of the Will? (Technically, it’s not a comedy, but it sure made me laugh – that parts I didn’t sleep through, that is.)
I wanted to believe that all Borat’s “interviewees” were in on the joke, but judging from the litany of lawsuits that came out after the film premiered, they obviously weren’t. It’s sad that the real losers are Americans. At least Kazakh can plead their case that Borat is a mean spirited stereotype that doesn’t reflect their country in the slightest. The United States doesn’t come off so well, as all those plain old Americans that Borat encountered are Grade A ASSCLOWNS. And please tell me that Pamela Anderson was in on the joke – she’s really not that stupid, is she?
So Sacha Baron Cohen has been in the news recently – he’s been interrupting fashion shows while filming his next project – Bruno. Judging from Borat’s naked wrestling scenes with Azamat, Cohen will take things even further in his portrayal of an extremely swishy fashion designer. I’m looking forward to checking Bruno out.
Rating – R
Runtime – 84 minutes
Genre – Mockumentary
Director(s) – Larry Charles
Writer(s) – Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines
Actor(s) – Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Luenell
BOB Rating – Three BOBs
Favorite Quote – "What kind of car can I buy that attract woman with shaved vazhïn?" - Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen)