Borat -- A Better Workout Than an "8 Minute Abs" Video

At one point during "Borat's Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan", I had been laughing so hard for so long that my stomach hurt. It was like an isometric hold on a series of crunches and I couldn't sustain it for any longer. In other words, this movie is funny.

The humor, as offensive as it is, does not fall away from also being intelligent. Borat and his film producer are the main characters with truly embarassing and authentic Americans from Manhattan to the South to the Midwest serving as co-stars. The most off-color and hideous thing and statements that Sacha Baron Cohen makes as Borat, a fictitious and terribly ignorant Kazakh television personalty are duely equalled or topped by the statements and actions of real Americans, playing themselves. I think I was most appalled during the rodeo scene when an old cowboy briefly expresses his viewpoint on homosexuals. The only time I didn't find myself laughing was when the highly anti-Semetic Borat meets and old Jewish couple. I was about as uncomfortable as I could be.

Without giving away too much, the sequence of events that occur a little over half-way through the wisely short (84 minutes) film, that feature a nude Borat and producer are the disgusting, immature and such an overwhelming relief to watch just because there is no choice as a veiwer other than to join the rest of the packed theater (no doubt this thing will continue to sell-out) in a chorus of the loudest laughter you may ever witness.

The film requires an open mind and the ability to suspend yourself from your normal life and beliefs of what is appropriate for long enough to enjoy a good laugh at stupidity, ignorance and general disgusting humor. It also relies on a sense of humor about Americans, especially Southerners. It is definitely not for everyone but I loved it.

Incidentally, Sacha Baron Cohen has been offered $22 million and a gorgeous budget for his next film, quite extraordinary. There were some big names on the Borat film with Jay Roach of "Meet the Parents" fame as producer and Larry Charles (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthisiasm) as director. It will be interesting to what team Cohen assembles for the next transfer of on of his small screen characters to the big screen.

Now, go to the theater and see what Borat found in the U.S. & A. Enjoy this moviefilm. It's worth the 10 bucks.