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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product Description
Feature mockumentary starring Sacha Baron Cohen that brings one of the 'Da Ali G Show' star's most popular characters to life on the big screen. Borat Sagdiyev (Cohen) is a leading journalist from Kazakhstan's state-run television network. He is sent to the United States to report on all aspects of American life. However, after stumbling across an episode of 'Baywatch' while channel-surfing in his hotel room, Borat becomes more interested in locating and marrying the show's star, Pamela Anderson. He purchases a ramshackle ice-cream truck in which he and his faithful producer Azamat (Ken Davitan) make their way across the Great Plains and on to the sunny West Coast - all the while coming into contact with a wide variety of 'typical' Americans.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By T. Charles
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!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Eye Can
Format:DVD
After all the anticipation and hype I was expecting something a bit fuller than this. The comedy starting off so well seemed to dry up for extended chunks of time
Dare I say it BECAME A bit boring as character starting off so promising struggled to fill out the time. Parts of film though and story line brilliant I wish they could have developed more and cut out some of the padded out scenes
Dare I say it BECAME A bit boring as character starting off so promising struggled to fill out the time. Parts of film though and story line brilliant I wish they could have developed more and cut out some of the padded out scenes
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Bando Massiv
Format:DVD
Best movie-film ever. I would like to purchase this movie-film. Everybody must buy it. I could not stop laughing when I saw this movie-film. I saw it in November when it came out and I'm still quoting lines from it and watching clips of it on YouTube. It's amazing how Sacha Baron Cohen pulled this act off. I would really love to own an ice cream truck and have a pet bear, just like Azamat and Borat in the film. This film has made me want to visit Kazakhstan.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Speedy Delivery and Great Looking Product
I was very impressed with the speed of the delivery.
DVD is in good condition and sealed.
I haven't played the DVD yet, as it is a present so unfortunately i cannot... Read more
DVD is in good condition and sealed.
I haven't played the DVD yet, as it is a present so unfortunately i cannot... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Kayleigh Galdes-Giappone
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny but not to everyones taste
I gave this DVD this rating because I find this type of humour funny.
I like the way he has no qualms about asking stupid questions somewhat like Jonathan Routh, of the... Read more
I like the way he has no qualms about asking stupid questions somewhat like Jonathan Routh, of the... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Plas Man
3.0 out of 5 stars
Service and product was good. Bit disappointed in the film.
No complaints with the supplier but having previously seen extracts of this film, i had expected more from it than it was able to deliver. Read more
Published 1 month ago by DewaMan
3.0 out of 5 stars
Watchable once
Being honest, I'm not a massive fan of Sasha Baron-Cohen, but this made me smile and cringe in equal measure. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Adil-smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
jeeeee
whats not to love about borat! its hilarious and must be watched by all ! its full of funny one liners and scenes ! better than his other ones!
Published 2 months ago by Daniel Taylor
4.0 out of 5 stars
hIs one and only greatest creation
I like gypsy tears, very much.
a conundrum for you, I hate sacha baron Cohen acting in anything, but with this movie, his only watchable role, it actually worked, and it was... Read more
a conundrum for you, I hate sacha baron Cohen acting in anything, but with this movie, his only watchable role, it actually worked, and it was... Read more
Published 2 months ago by A Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious, if you're into that kind of comedy.
It's definitely not for everyone, but if you don't mind the adult themes and erm... "graphic" scenes, then you'll definitely enjoy the movie. Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. Malone
5.0 out of 5 stars
DVD
This was retturned unopended as it was a duplicated Xmas present but it had arrived on time which was as stated.
Published 4 months ago by D. Hawkes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing.
I love his jokes, about religion, and all the stuff with jews, and the stuff about gypsys. Great film. Don't miss it, and for such a low price, there is no reason not to purchase.
Published 4 months ago by Faginlovingboy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Marmite film indeed...i LOVED it.
Many people will not understand Sacha's comedy from Ali G and Borat.
He explores different characters. In this film he did it perfectly. Read more
He explores different characters. In this film he did it perfectly. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Isaac Blackburn
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