film_riot Review of Borat

Borat (2006)

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

[7/10 · 28 March 2007]

The first thing to say is that "Borat" is a compilation of partly hilarious comedy scenes, with a really talented leading actor. I really laughed as much as I rarely do in cinemas these days. It's not a subtle humour, it's a "ha-ha-ha"-kind of humour. Some of my favourites: the social behaviour trainer, the feminist group, the car salesman, the rodeo ride…; The victims of his jokes are the ethnic and social minorities, who have to fight hard against prejudices in every day life. There has been kind of a big controversy going on, when "Borat" first hit the screens. The question is: Does Sacha Baron Cohen really uncover prejudices and moral double standards in the people he talks to, or is he only using and treating them the same way he seems to be criticizing, the treatment of the "uncivilized" by the seemingly "civilized and intelligent"? While I do not doubt Baron Cohen's principally good intentions, the way he is proceeding can certainly be discussed.