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I’ve never really thought of myself as the kind of movie critic who like to spot flaws in gems and diamonds in the dirt. I’ve never felt that authoritative. I’ve always held myself up to the standard of the Guy who Just Wants to Feel Like He Got His Money’s Worth, and I hope that as my column circulates throughout the kitchens and living rooms and, ultimately, the bird cages of central Vermont, that’s the impression you’ve been getting. "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" was the first movie in two and a half years that I’d seen in theatres just for the heck of it—and I was surprised do find myself slightly troubled when I compared the hype to the product. "Borat" is a mockumentary about a Kazakhstani television personality, Borat Sagdiyev, who is sent to New York City by his country’s government. New York is a paradise compared to his home town, where he introduces the viewer to such niceties as his VCR and the town rapist. Borat is thick but genial, and refuses to move into a smaller room when one of the hotel staff tries to stop him from unpacking in what is actually the elevator. The movie's motivating force, which becomes a catalyst for cross-country insanity, is Borat's lust for Pamela Anderson. Borat sees her on TV in his hotel room and decides he must have her. So he talks his producer, Azamat, into a road trip to California. Along the way, they have wacky run-ins with every stereotyped subgroup in America from Jews to right-wing rodeo goers (Borat: "We support your war of terror!") to southern high society as Borat, wacky, lovable Borat, shows us all just how dumb we really are. The movie critics love this movie, and the general public loves it too, but for two conflicting reasons. It’s a highbrow movie masquerading as a lowbrow farce masquerading as a third-world country’s stab at culture plundering. Just how many of the people who see this know that Sacha Baron Cohen, the actor who plays Borat, is Jewish himself, which gives a different take to the anti-Semitic slurs that abound? Likewise, I feel sorry for Kazakhstan, which was outraged by this movie. When you create a stereotype, you had really better know what you’re doing. I don’t have a clue how many people come here from Kazakhstan each year, but there is no doubt in my mind that every one of them has just inherited Borat as a relative. Which is wrong. There is no reason Cohen couldn’t have just made up a former Soviet republic and tailored it to his needs. For all that, though, I loved this movie. The whole film is Bonus Points, from the prostitute at the high society dinner to Borat’s pet chicken to the ice cream truck. "Borat" is two films for the price of one. It’s both a cultural introspection piece, and a raunchy farce. The trick, I think, is finding the balance point between the two. Kevin gives "Borat" four and a half stars out of five. |
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