The comedian behind such characters as Ali G and Brüno Gehard returns in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video at precisely the right time. For the sequel Jason Woliner takes on directing duties, after Larry Charles helmed the first film. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, or Borat 2, is a delightful return to form with Sacha Baron Cohen in a wilder, more impactful role than the original.
Following the same mockumentary comedy style as the original Borat movie, Baron Cohen's fictional journalist Borat Sagdiyev ventures to the United States (which is hilariously referred to as the US & A throughout the movie) to deliver a gift to Vice President Mike Pence in order to restore glory to his home country of Kazakhstan. Filming in part during the COVID-19 pandemic, Borat's adventures to the United States lead him on a deep-dive into American politics, where he meets people who educate him on fake news, QAnon, and the various happenings in 2020's ever-changing climate.
What makes Borat 2 so unique is not the style, which is more familiar to audiences now than it was in 2006, with other mockumentary comedies like What We Do In The Shadows and Baron Cohen's own Brüno making their mark on cinema and pop culture history in years since. Instead, the most special qualities of Borat 2 are all to do with timing, as 2020 is the perfect year for a movie of this style to release. Not only has 2020 been an interesting year in terms of the global pandemic closing down movie theaters and other staples of day-to-day life, but the United States Presidential Election has been dominating much of the conversation. As the original Borat movie also sought to launch cleverly - and profanely - worded satirical barbs at the inner workings of American government, Borat 2 ups the stakes at a crucial period in history, where all eyes are on the United States in the weeks leading up to the November 2020 election.
Baron Cohen's Borat is a character, and it's his offbeat charm that allows him to sneak into crowded spaces that would otherwise seem impossible, such as The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in an attempt to deliver a gift to Vice President Pence while dressed as none other than President Donald Trump. Borat became interwoven into the fabric of American pop culture after 2006, with his many quotable lines and offbeat humor easily brought out for a laugh, but Borat 2 expands on this character just enough to make him feel fresh again, which is truly where the movie's magic lies. In order for a movie like Borat 2 to work and be successful, it needs to dig not only into current events and find ways to satirize and make them funnier - which is no small feat given the serious nature of the world - but also into the pulse of current culture.
By tapping into concepts like QAnon, fake news, Trump rallies (and supporters), and the coronavirus itself, Borat 2 addresses issues head-on and finds new ways to talk about them. While the movie likely won't be as warmly received by those whom Borat (and Baron Cohen) critiques, it's valuable to be able to put major current and global events into a time capsule where, years down the road, they can be perhaps appreciated as more than just immediate stress and strain. If nothing else, Borat 2 invites its audience to sit down for a little over 90 minutes to have a laugh at the world's expense. The story may not be the most original, but it's Borat's zany and spontaneous antics, which are far more intelligent than the occasional joke about genitalia - which Borat 2 also has - that keep the movie from ever feeling too much like it's brow-beating the audience with its message.
Most importantly, the inclusion of Borat's 15-year-old daughter Tutar (Maria Bakalova), is Borat 2's crowning glory. Bakalova's character plays off Baron Cohen's over-the-top character and serves as a grounding force for both the character and the greater narrative. Through Tutar's character, audiences are not only given a greater insight into the culture of Kazakhstan - which provides a juxtaposition to American culture - but are treated to an open dialogue on feminism, women's rights, bodily autonomy, and the dangers of the patriarchy. Bakalova is a scene-stealer, which is a high bar given her co-star's immeasurable comedic timing and skill, and earns due praise for how she adapts to the ludicrous antics that take place throughout. As much as Borat 2 is about Borat's character and journey, Tutar's story is of the utmost importance and helps drive the movie's larger message home. Unflinching in its bold lack of subtlety that's contained within a nudge and a wink to the movie's primary audience, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm doesn't hesitate to abruptly kick open the door on polite boundaries, social taboos, and tough talking points that are keeping an entire country at odds.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm releases exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, October 23. It is 96 minutes long and rated R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, and language.
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