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It takes a certain kind of comic genius to create a character who is, to quote the classic Sondheim lyric, appealing and appalling. But be forewarned: Borat is not "something for everyone." It arrives as advertised as one of the most outrageous, most offensive, and funniest films in years. Kazakhstan journalist Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen reprising the popular character from his Da Ali G Show, leaves his humble village to come to "U.S. of A" to film a documentary. After catching an episode of Baywatch in his New York hotel room, he impulsively scuttles his plans and, accompanied by his fat, hirsute producer (Hardy to his Laurel), proceeds to California to pursue the object of his obsession, Pamela Anderson. Borat is not about how he finds America; it's about how America finds him in a series of increasingly cringe-worthy scenes. Borat, with his '70s mustache, well-worn grey suit, and outrageously backwards attitudes (especially where Jews are concerned) interacts with a cross-section of the populace, catching them, a la Alan Funt on Candid Camera, in the act of being themselves.
Early on, an unwitting humour coach advises Borat about various types of jokes. Borat asks if his brother's retardation is a ripe subject for comedy. The coach patiently replies, "That would not be funny in America." NOT! Borat is subversively, bracingly funny. When it comes to exploring uncharted territory of what is and is not appropriate or politically correct, Borat knows no boundaries, as when he brings a fancy dinner with the southern gentry to a halt after returning from the bathroom with a bag of his feces ("The cultural differences are vast," his hostess graciously/patronisingly offers), or turns cheers to boos at a rodeo when he calls for bloodlust against the Iraqis and mangles "The Star Spangled Banner."
Success, John F. Kennedy once said, has a thousand fathers. A paternity test on Borat might reveal traces of Bill Dana’s Jose Jimenez, Andy Kaufman, Michael Moore, The Jamie Kennedy Xperiment, and Jackass. Some scenes seem to have been staged (a game Anderson, whom Borat confronts at a book signing, was reportedly in on the setup), but others, as the growing litany of lawsuits attests, were not. All too real is Borat's encounter with loutish Southern frat boys who reveal their sexism and racism, and the disturbing moment when he asks a gun store owner what gun he would recommend to "kill a Jew" (a Glock automatic is the matter-of-fact reply). Comedy is not pretty, and in Borat it can get downright ugly, as when Borat and his producer get jiggly with it during a nude fight that spills out from their hotel room into the hallway, elevator, lobby and finally, a mortgage brokers association banquet. High-five! --Donald Liebenson
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Sacha Baron Cohen's comic genius enables him to get away with behaviour which to most of us, would be suicidal. The antics of Borat, as he travels across the "Us of A" are hilariously funny, but nevertheless cringeworthy and a kick in the teeth! There are spine chilling moments, which leave you thinking, if this is American society, then God help us. For example, the comments about Jews in the rodeo, the young men from a college "fraternity" who refer to women as "bitches" and that American is governed by such minorities as Jews. Those who come off best are a group of young black men on a street corner, and a Black prostitute with a big heart....
It could be argued that Baron Cohen manipulates people and situations, but then, you cannot manipulate what isn't there already. Hilarious comedy, but with a powerful sting in the tail. Middle America cannot be very proud of herself, having watched this....
It could be argued that Baron Cohen manipulates people and situations, but then, you cannot manipulate what isn't there already. Hilarious comedy, but with a powerful sting in the tail. Middle America cannot be very proud of herself, having watched this....
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Just like Marmite, you'll either love or hate this film, as the reviews show - I don't think I've seen any rating that's not 1 or 5 stars.
Easily offended? Then stay away, it's definitely not for you. But if you can handle the pushing of boundaries and simply outrageous brass neck of this film, then it will reward you.
Easily offended? Then stay away, it's definitely not for you. But if you can handle the pushing of boundaries and simply outrageous brass neck of this film, then it will reward you.
25 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Sacha Borat aka Borat, the charmingly offensive, Kazakhstan reporter has written and appeared in a hilarious anti-PC film that tramples over every cringing, PC attitude, where previously, 'decent' folk once feared to tread. His exploits in seeking to introduce America for the benefit of Kazakhstan TV have deeply upset Kazakhstani politicians and tourism officials alike. (Did Kazakhstan have a tourist industry before this film?)
But the joke is really on America and Americans and the way that they respond to Borat provides the humour of the film. Their endemic racism, homophobic and their tendency to take things literally and their inability to send themselves up produce some very funny episodes.
Aided by the memorably named Azamat Bogatov, 'Borat' does pander to the lowest common denominator, but somehow he gets away with each outrageous scene and stunt. How he managed to avoid arrest is open to speculation. From watching the film again, it is conceivable that more of the stunts were staged than initally seemed possible. The extras to promote the movie, which are included in the DVD package are worth viewing, as are the deleted scenes. Sacha Baron Cohen's appearances to promote the movie, (chat shows in the US and openings in cities around the world) were conducted in character. Indeed, such is his total immersion in the character that he reminds me of the late, great, Peter Sellers, who was similarly transformed by the characters he inhabited, often to the point that he couldn't step back out of character.
How Cohen plans to follow up this triumph will be eagerly awaited. Nothing else he has tried has worked as well as Borat. The Bruno character is more the stuff of short sketch than full-length feature film. In the meantime, savour the outrageousness of this DVD. Highly recommended.
All stand for the Kazakhstan National Anthem!
But the joke is really on America and Americans and the way that they respond to Borat provides the humour of the film. Their endemic racism, homophobic and their tendency to take things literally and their inability to send themselves up produce some very funny episodes.
Aided by the memorably named Azamat Bogatov, 'Borat' does pander to the lowest common denominator, but somehow he gets away with each outrageous scene and stunt. How he managed to avoid arrest is open to speculation. From watching the film again, it is conceivable that more of the stunts were staged than initally seemed possible. The extras to promote the movie, which are included in the DVD package are worth viewing, as are the deleted scenes. Sacha Baron Cohen's appearances to promote the movie, (chat shows in the US and openings in cities around the world) were conducted in character. Indeed, such is his total immersion in the character that he reminds me of the late, great, Peter Sellers, who was similarly transformed by the characters he inhabited, often to the point that he couldn't step back out of character.
How Cohen plans to follow up this triumph will be eagerly awaited. Nothing else he has tried has worked as well as Borat. The Bruno character is more the stuff of short sketch than full-length feature film. In the meantime, savour the outrageousness of this DVD. Highly recommended.
All stand for the Kazakhstan National Anthem!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Region free disc
i felt relieved when i did not buy the DVD a few years back as now i get to have it on bluray.yes its region free and loaded with bonus features. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. riduan Taha
BRILLIANT!
The dvd was exactly what i was looking for, how it was described and more... I also thought that the price was really good as well. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Roslyn :)
borat dvd
This had me in hysterics, permanently. Its so good, I can watch it over and over again. It arrived promptly too, very happy, thank you.
Published 5 months ago by sara
Not for the squeamish, easily offended or those of a nervous...
After Ali G, Sacha Baron Cohen reinvented himself with this character, Borat.
Borat is a clumsy, bumbling, ignorant idiot who in this film is on a cultural quest to... Read more
Borat is a clumsy, bumbling, ignorant idiot who in this film is on a cultural quest to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Miss Robinson
Borat the movie
Borat's the funniest film I've seen for long time. A mock documentary taking the mic out of Americans is truely inspired. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Turnerstudent
Codswallop
Borat, Bruno, Ali G, all have the same sort of effect on the viewer. Shock, then amusement, then tedium then offence. Read more
Published 12 months ago by B. L. J. Webb
dvd skips
quite disappointed to find that half way through the dvd that it starts gittering and skipping. i have clean disk and tried it in different dvd players. =(
Published 14 months ago by aaron
I like, High five!
I bought this movie for my girlfriend (romantic, I know, but she wanted it). I have given this item 2 stars, not because I dont like the movie, but because when it arrived, the... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nustun
If you like "The Piranha Club" type of humour, check this out
This is a comedy where a journalist from a remote poor country travels to the USA to get to know it better and bring back useful lessons to help his compatriots to modernise their... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Printul Noptilor
"High Five!"
By the time you read this review, I will have died of laughter! This film is just 110% pure hilariousness, that even in the first minute of the film beginning, you will already... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Rebecca
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