British-born comedian Sacha Baron Cohen: So wrong, genius or something else? Well, it's most likely a mix of all three, but his new movie, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," will probably have people polarized on a spectrum ranging from so wrong to genius.
Borat Sagdiyev is one of three Cohen characters that spawned from television program "Da Ali G Show." Top Kazakhstan reporter, Borat gets sent by his government to America to learn the ways of the western world and make a documentary. But when he gets here, he learns he's not in Kansas anymore. His own podunk town can't compare to the things he sees in America.
He brings his own ways and customs into the items he reports on, but while he was only supposed to stay in New York to create his documentary, he finds someone that will make him drive across country. One day in the hotel, he finds the one show that most men find a love for: "Baywatch." Yes it's Pamela Anderson's character C.J. that makes Borat take driving lessons and speed to California to get his girl.
But of course, he continues his job as all important reporter -- taking etiquette lessons, singing a national anthem at a rodeo, talking to people and doing all he can to make himself more Americanized.
Cohen's humor has many people upset, including the real Kazakhstan government which has now invited him to visit Kazakhstan to really learn about the country. But basically, the comedy is so wrong that it's so right. It is a hilarious trip a viewer will take with Borat, from place to place in an old ice cream truck with a bear in the back. You have to understand that "Cultural Learnings" isn't supposed to be politically correct, it's aiming to be as politically incorrect as possible.
Like the boy raised by wolves, Borat comes to America not knowing the right words to say with only a small grasp on grammar and an inner monologue. He says what he feels and knows. And all he knows has him agreeing with Mel Gibson and talking about women not being up-to-par with men. It's a culture shock-type of thing.
Oh, and if you didn't know, Cohen is actually Jewish, not that it makes all the jokes any less offensive. But Cohen is obviously dedicated to his art and to his roles. He grows out his hair to play Borat, no wigs or glue on moustaches here. When he goes for interviews he stays in character, which is equally funny. When he goes on the Conan O'Brien show and asks Conan if he likes "to make sex crimes," it's hard not to laugh although it's not something a person would normally make light of.
Offensive or not, Borat is laugh out loud, uproariously funny. It's the shock of all the "dirty" things coming out of his mouth mixed with his innocence of not knowing that it's not right to say such things in America that makes him hilarious.
But Borat isn't Borat without the people that play into his fake documentary/newscasts. It's hard to tell whether or not these people are in on the joke or not. When a guy tells Borat to shave off his beard so he doesn't look like a terrorist or a woman explains how to use a toilet in detail, it's a wonder how they keep a straight face if they aren't serious.
"Cultural Learnings" happens to be a mixture of new and old skits, some are available on the internet as a precursor to a full-length film. But put everything together and you get Borat at his best. All those people watching Borat via YouTube or on his MySpace will be treated to a movie that will make them laugh so hard the tears will be falling.
