Borat sure to entertain
Ian Abreu
Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Sacha Baron Cohen has always found a way to keep his name in controversy, whether it was in his outlandish humor on his ever-so popular British television show "Ali G", or even when debuting a new movie: "Borat: Cultural Learning of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan." He has crossed yet another boundary of inappropriateness through both shock humor and crudeness.
Borat Sagdiyev (Cohen), a Kazakhstanian TV reporter, is dispatched to America on a mission. That mission is to learn American traits and customs and to bring them back to his native land so that they too can become modernized. Borat and his producer, Azamat Bagatov (Ken Davitian) are supposed to shoot interview pieces around New York City, but suddenly they become sidetracked as Borat decides to embark on an impromptu trip to Los Angeles so he can meet his idol, his love, his obsession: Pamela Anderson.
From that point on, the story evolves, or devolves for that matter. Borat meets inner-city youth kids, becomes "gangsta," he runs into a Jewish bed and breakfast, flees the scene, all while ordering a prostitute and having her visit during a formal dinner with "high society" folk.
Throughout the course of the movie, there are barrages of anti-Semitic jokes; all of which are in good humor I'm hoping, considering Cohen himself is Jewish.
Borat portrays women in this movie as second-class citizens. Although comical, it is quite sad when you come to the realization that in some countries, women are viewed in such a negative light. However, I suppose poking fun at the ignorant is the best way to express true feelings. Laughter always beat violence!
The film was well directed by Larry Charles who gave the film a genuine documentary feel with frequent camera shaking, out of focus shots, and random, street-side interviews. From watching this film, the viewer can really begin to feel that this is an actual documentary. That is how real this flick actually feels; in fact, some of the interviewees believed that this was a legitimate documentary.
Will "Borat" become an all-time classic? No. However, it's sick, twisted humor and popularity will propel this movie to the next plateau, becoming a "cult classic." "Borat" will join the ranks of "Office Space," "40-Year Old Virgin," and "Animal House."
"Borat" is one of those movies that you have to see. Love it, or hate, the viewer will stay glued to the screen, regardless of its content.
Seeing this movie really is a must!
Borat Sagdiyev (Cohen), a Kazakhstanian TV reporter, is dispatched to America on a mission. That mission is to learn American traits and customs and to bring them back to his native land so that they too can become modernized. Borat and his producer, Azamat Bagatov (Ken Davitian) are supposed to shoot interview pieces around New York City, but suddenly they become sidetracked as Borat decides to embark on an impromptu trip to Los Angeles so he can meet his idol, his love, his obsession: Pamela Anderson.
From that point on, the story evolves, or devolves for that matter. Borat meets inner-city youth kids, becomes "gangsta," he runs into a Jewish bed and breakfast, flees the scene, all while ordering a prostitute and having her visit during a formal dinner with "high society" folk.
Throughout the course of the movie, there are barrages of anti-Semitic jokes; all of which are in good humor I'm hoping, considering Cohen himself is Jewish.
Borat portrays women in this movie as second-class citizens. Although comical, it is quite sad when you come to the realization that in some countries, women are viewed in such a negative light. However, I suppose poking fun at the ignorant is the best way to express true feelings. Laughter always beat violence!
The film was well directed by Larry Charles who gave the film a genuine documentary feel with frequent camera shaking, out of focus shots, and random, street-side interviews. From watching this film, the viewer can really begin to feel that this is an actual documentary. That is how real this flick actually feels; in fact, some of the interviewees believed that this was a legitimate documentary.
Will "Borat" become an all-time classic? No. However, it's sick, twisted humor and popularity will propel this movie to the next plateau, becoming a "cult classic." "Borat" will join the ranks of "Office Space," "40-Year Old Virgin," and "Animal House."
"Borat" is one of those movies that you have to see. Love it, or hate, the viewer will stay glued to the screen, regardless of its content.
Seeing this movie really is a must!
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