Is Nice!
December 10th 2006 23:19
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Comedy/ Mockumentary (2006)
I finally saw Borat on the weekend after meaning to see it for the past few weeks and I have to say I was actually surprised. It was a lot funnier than I was anticipating and a lot sharper than I was expecting.
Adopting the character of Borat Sagdiyev, a TV reporter from Kazakhstan, Sacha Baron Cohen has raised a great deal of eyebrows and managed to offend a great deal of people inside and outside of this film. It follows the story of (fictional) Kazakhstani TV reporter, Borat Sagdiyev, who is sent to America by his TV station to learn about the American culture and customs and bring this newfound knowledge back to his home country. However, things go awry when Borat discovers Pamela Anderson and convinces his manager (Ken Davitian), to go to California, so that he may secretly pursue Pamela.
This satirical film is smart, witty and at times, disturbing, as it exposes the ignorance, intolerance and blind faith of Middle America. It also features a very convincing cameo by Pamela Anderson, as herself. The scenes that are obviously staged are equally as funny as those that are not and the grey area between only adds to the humour of the piece. Cohen pushes the limits in most scenes although I would have like to see him go even further. Perhaps he did and was unable to show the footage. I’d give my right arm to see the stuff they didn’t get permission to show. Apparently, Sacha Baron Cohen had the police called on him 91 times during the production of this film.
There have been at least three lawsuits taken out against the film/ filmmakers, one in particular by a group of fraternity brothers who after featuring in this film may never get a date ever again...“Is nice!” A German group representing gypsies also filed a complaint, claiming that the film may incite violence against Roma and Sinti gypsies. God forbid people actually receive this film as it was intended…as a satirical film that questions the way in which we live, not a guide to better living.
Borat is as primitive as he is endearing and Cohen should be commended on both his invention of this character and this great film. Directed by Larry Charles, Borat runs for 82 minutes and will do more than make you laugh.
Comedy/ Mockumentary (2006)
I finally saw Borat on the weekend after meaning to see it for the past few weeks and I have to say I was actually surprised. It was a lot funnier than I was anticipating and a lot sharper than I was expecting.
Adopting the character of Borat Sagdiyev, a TV reporter from Kazakhstan, Sacha Baron Cohen has raised a great deal of eyebrows and managed to offend a great deal of people inside and outside of this film. It follows the story of (fictional) Kazakhstani TV reporter, Borat Sagdiyev, who is sent to America by his TV station to learn about the American culture and customs and bring this newfound knowledge back to his home country. However, things go awry when Borat discovers Pamela Anderson and convinces his manager (Ken Davitian), to go to California, so that he may secretly pursue Pamela.
This satirical film is smart, witty and at times, disturbing, as it exposes the ignorance, intolerance and blind faith of Middle America. It also features a very convincing cameo by Pamela Anderson, as herself. The scenes that are obviously staged are equally as funny as those that are not and the grey area between only adds to the humour of the piece. Cohen pushes the limits in most scenes although I would have like to see him go even further. Perhaps he did and was unable to show the footage. I’d give my right arm to see the stuff they didn’t get permission to show. Apparently, Sacha Baron Cohen had the police called on him 91 times during the production of this film.
There have been at least three lawsuits taken out against the film/ filmmakers, one in particular by a group of fraternity brothers who after featuring in this film may never get a date ever again...“Is nice!” A German group representing gypsies also filed a complaint, claiming that the film may incite violence against Roma and Sinti gypsies. God forbid people actually receive this film as it was intended…as a satirical film that questions the way in which we live, not a guide to better living.
Borat is as primitive as he is endearing and Cohen should be commended on both his invention of this character and this great film. Directed by Larry Charles, Borat runs for 82 minutes and will do more than make you laugh.
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's great to read your review, I saw Borat on the weekend and really didn't like it that much. I laughed a bit in the beginning and then it seemed to become too one-dimensional as it progressed. My husband guffawed most of the way through it and I was wondering if it was a gender thing but I don't like defining likes and dislikes according to gender really, so it was really interesting to hear your opinion. That said, I did think it was witty and Sacha is a very convincing actor. That bed scene with his producer just made me squirm too much!
Tracy
Comment by Emma
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