Film Review: "Borat" (2006)

By now, everyone has heard of Sascha Baron Cohen's "Borat" character, a journalist from the republic of Kazakhstan, first seen in the "Ali G Show". In his first feature film, Borat is sent to New York by his government to learn about the American way of life in order to return to Kazakhstan with an accompanying documentary to enlighten the people of that great country. Upon landing at JFK with his rooster and producer in tow, Borat discovers "Baywatch" and decides that he needs to travel to California to marry Pamela Anderson, documenting his journey via hand-held camera.

Travelling first to Washington DC and then through red states on the way to his destiny, Borat has many adventures along the way: gay pride parades, rodeos, TV interviews, born-again Christian churches, the hood, plantation dinner parties, frat-boy road trips, and Jewish-owned bed and breakfasts, among other places, are all graced by his inimitable presence. The supporting cast is played by (seemingly) unsuspecting Americans who he meets in each of these situations, and what hilariously follows usually involves both his ignorance and disturbingly, theirs.

This flick is not for the easily offended or those who don't appreciate good ol' toilet humour. The shenanigans are so over-the-top that the viewer is left wondering if it's for real. Regardless, what's really telling is that it very well could be, and so many of the stereotypes and excesses of (primarly southern) US society are uncomfortably exposed. Subsequently, Borat is right up there with "Team America: World Police" and "Clerks II" on the "pushing the envelope" factor.

Check it out and fight the forces of political correctness along with Borat for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan. Happy times - iz nice!

Overall rating: 9.25/10