The Northern Light

"Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" is a sick, sick film. Countless times during the movie I found myself cringing as blatantly anti-Semitic, racist and sexist dialogue was excreted from the foul mouth of the protagonist Borat, played effortlessly by brainchild Sacha Baron Cohen. It was truly disturbing.

And I loved every second of it.

Narrated more like a glorified road trip than an educational documentary, the film chronicles Borat's journey to New York City, where he is to learn how America as a country is a "make good success." After seeing Baywatch reruns on the hotel TV, however, Borat decides it is of the utmost importance to seek out Pamela Anderson in California, providing a MacGuffin for Borat to travel through every notch of the Bible Belt with his portly producer and naivete.

Along the way, the pair stumbles upon the essence of American culture. Homophobic and racist rodeo aficionados cheer for Borat's rallying cry: "May George W. Bush suck the blood from all the men, women and childs of Iraq." New Yorkers curse him for simply trying to introduce himself and beat him when he tries to politely kiss their cheeks to say hello. Christians at a Pentecostal rally try to save him when he's down on his luck, providing one of the funniest moments of the film. He then refers to Christians that he meets as "also friends with this Jesus man."

Although many of the laughs are slapstick and shallow, the funniest lines come from the Americans Borat encounters on his quest. The manager of the rodeo in Texas asks him to consider shaving his moustache so as to "maybe pass as an Italian" instead of Muslim. The only people who act friendly to Borat on his journey are prostitutes and gay pride parade participants.

The film does a tremendous job of exposing the poorest examples of American citizens. An easy target, maybe. But a satisfying one for sure.

In a year short on good comedies - Clerks 2, Kevin Smith's recent opus, is the only film to top this one - Borat shines as a beacon of hope for barely scripted comedy in a meager Hollywood. (If I have to sit through even a trailer for another Ben Stiller movie, I might move to Kazakhstan. At least it would be more entertaining.)

As an "at large" comedy, the film is a complete success. Do bear in mind that Borat is not for the faint of heart. Wrestling naked men with far too much body hair, defecating in the flowerbed in front of the Trump Tower and demeaning the entire female gender are but a few of the reasons people will love this movie.

If you enjoy absurdity with a good fake accent, be sure to check this one out. Just don't bring your Jewish grandmother.

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