Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (Widescreen)

Okay, yes, there is some major sophmoric humor going on here, but honestly, this is THE funniest movie I've ever seen. Also one of the most disturbing.

Funny because: Borat the character is wild and yes, over the top, but more importantly, expertly acted. How this guy ever pulled this off without cracking up while doing it is beyond me. Some of my favorite scenes include the "women's lib" session and of course, the now-famous "etiquette" session in Birmingham, Alabama. The wrestling scene is hysterical, but really gross and possibly the high point of the movie.

But on an entirely different level, Borat is disturbing. It's funny and meant to be, but the real genius is in the truth that being told, albeit obliquely. Borat interviews a group of fraternity guys who get drunk and say exactly what they think. I hear that now they're suing. No doubt. What they said showed who they were, as did the events with the people in Birmingham and those at the rodeo. At one point, Borat is trying to buy a gun and asks, "Would this be good for killing a Jew?" The owner of the gun shop is totally unfazed by this comment and calmly says, "Yea, you could use it for that," or some such comment. He doesn't seem to care that Borat is going to use it for killing anything--human or animal.

Then there is the scene at the rodeo where Borat tries to kiss one of the judges--on each cheek: European-style. The guy totally freaks out and says, "We don't do that over here. Anyone who does is . . " and he makes a limp wrist gesture. Borat remarks that they kill those kinds of people where he comes from and the rodeo guy replies, "We're trying to do that over here too."

I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry at some points. The scene with the prostitute is actually touching and this is one of those movies that you'll think about long after you've finished watching it.

From the opening credits to the end, Borat amazes. You're really not going to get all the references and inferences until after you've seen it and given it some thought. There are so many details that you'll miss on the first go-round. For instance, there's a section where you see Borat at his lowest point, a homeless person who has built a fire to keep warm, sleeping in front of a corporate-like building. We see him the next morning, still asleep as people step over him, totally unconcerned. No one helps, and no one asks if he is okay. Of course, we think that this is just another example of corporate America that doesn't care--people too busy and on their way to work to be concerned with someone they don't know.

It is only a few moments later, when Borat enters the building, that we find out it is a church and all those people stepping over him are "Christians."

The most disturbing thing about Borat is that, the people who should get the message probably won't. This film is hysterical, but also highly disturbing. You HAVE to see it to believe it.

Borat is out of this world. I love showing it to my friends and family. I sometimes imitate him and it is very funny...

Sacha Baron Cohen stars as Borat, a journalist from Kazakhstan who goes to America to make a documentary. While in New York, he sees "Baywatch" on TV and vows to go to California and marry Pamela Anderson. Off he goes across the country, meeting (and insulting) various groups along the way, including Jews, Christians, animal lovers, rodeo fans, fine diners, a doctor, and just about anyone else you can imagine. The vignettes were shot with real people, a la Candid Camera, who react to the outrageous words and actions of the guileless and amazingly coarse Borat.

I'd heard that this movie was outrageous and vulgar and insulting and it certainly is - and also the funniest movie I can remember seeing. I laughed non-stop (while shaking my head in wonder at Borat's "victims": Why would they sign releases to let their footage appear in the movie?).

Borat never breaks character and keeps the joke up right to the end. His pride in his run-down country is sweet and his innocence is what makes the movie work. In the Extras, Borat appears on "The Tonight Show"...

Jay Leno: "What do you say to people who say your movie is homophobic and anti-Semitic?"

Borat: "Thank you!"

You'll either love it or think it's the most vulgar and offensive movie ever made. I loved it.