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

Overall 2.65 of 5 view all 72 reviews

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h8govt
Carolina Beach, NC

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It was alright except for the many stereotypes

wicked sense of humor, comedy fan, Lover of quirky, unique films

Pros

shows gaps in common sense, some of it is smart and satirical, funny, rude humor

Cons

some cheap shots

NOV

2007

Finally had the opportunity to watch this and try to understand the hype surrounding this. After viewing this I thought it was silly to an extent regarding these culture clashes. The way the film is made is quite unorthodox because there are few actors and the main part of characters are people who really think they are talking to a reporter from Kazakhstan, just a candid camera. It is not surprising the huge controversy aroused as some of the people tricked into the 'documentary' have already sued Cohen.

The film is funny and you will sure laugh at one stage or another. But there are many clichés and stereotypes that Cohen uses as he wishes presenting a subjective vision of society. First of all, he could have used a fake country instead of Kazakhstan. It would not been so easy to trick some of the 'victims' into the 'movie film' but the comical effect would have been the same without offending anyone. Just like Molvania from the guys of the hilarious travel guides from Jetlag Travel (from which I think Cohen gets some of the inspiration).

Then, there is the Jew issue. Although Borat (and all Kazakhstan according to the movie) is afraid of Jews and hates them profoundly, the film is not offensive to Jews at all. Jews pictured in the film are very nice people and the display of hatred against Jewish is so over stated and absurd that the irony is far from subtle. It cannot be any other way as Cohen is a Jew himself. However this is used as excuse: "Look, I'm laughing at me making jokes about Jews... now I am legitimated to laugh at anyone as I wish".

The target of Cohen criticism is clear, the white Christian traditional southern people. He laughs at some evangelists in a church, high class republican southern people, drunk college guys, people attending a Rodeo... using sometimes hidden and sometime obvious insults, always protected by a camera and the "I am from another culture, you should be respectful". Some of the people pictured could be idiots but you can find idiots in every single community in the world. In fact, outside the USA the film has been taken as an opportunity to laugh at those type of Americans. The rhythm of the movie is a little uneven with some slow spots making the short 80 minutes of movie a little bit too much. However, as ridiculous as this movie is and the absurdity's of the situations described in Cohen acting is bit hilarious.