Borat Subsequent Moviefilm — Movie Review
Full Title — Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
by KJ Proulx
Being a huge fan of Borat from 2006 and thinking it was a very clever film, given how uncomfortable certain scenes may have been to watch, I was eagerly awaiting the sequel that was secretly filmed earlier this year. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (and the rest of the title that I’m not filling in for this review) may not be anywhere as funny or as original as its predecessor, but for the time being, there are a few very memorable moments. The first film was a satire on society but done so in a way that is sort of timeless. This sequel plays off of too many things happening in 2020 to really feel like it could be a long-lasting film. This film is all over the news and I’m sure it’ll be popular for the next few weeks, but I simply can’t see it being talked about ten years from now.
Borat is a character played magnificently well by Sacha Baron Cohen and follows him on his journey through the United States, exposing the most disgusting aspects of it. This sequel is no different from that, except the plot of the film itself gets a little lost in translation at times. The film begins with Borat being given a mission to deliver a monkey to Vice President Michael Pence but then evolves into him having to connect with his daughter and possibly deliver her to him instead. Along the way, this film has some fun with the two of them wandering around, but I found this sequel to be far too heavy in terms of politics. All this film wanted to do was expose how corrupt the political scene is in the United States and I felt like it was too much at times.
With all of that said, there are a couple of moments in particular where I found myself wondering how he didn’t end up in jail for doing/filming such things, so props to him for pulling it all off. Sadly, I think even certain scenes took things too far and I wasn’t exactly laughing, but feeling more uncomfortable, which is probably what their goal was. From incest jokes to luring older men into hotel rooms, this film just goes for it and doesn’t hold back. Again, I give it all the props in the world for that, but I won’t remember it for being as clever and unique as the first. This film deserves praise for pulling off a sequel in today’s climate, but honestly not much more in my opinion.
Sacha Baron Cohen is absolutely fantastic at playing this character and that’s what makes these films so enjoyable; However, after seeing him in films like Hugo and more recently in The Trial of the Chicago 7, sure, his knack will always be in comedy, but I think he needs to broaden his horizons a little more. Even in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, he shows off his dramatic talents as well, which makes me wish I could see him more dramatic films. Maria Bakalova plays his daughter Tutar in the film and I thought she actually did a great job portraying a character related to Borat, but I thought her character, although the heart of the movie itself, worn thin by the end. Their bond together worked for me, but it felt like a weird balance between sentimental and humourous and that just clashed for me.
Overall, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is far more controversial than the first in terms of the content, but also less funny and less shocking, so I’m not exactly sure I can give it a recommendation, especially if you didn’t see the first film and at least enjoy watching it. These are films that are made for a specific audience and if you know it’s not for you, I’d take that advice from yourself. I love the first Borat film and that’s why I found this one mildly amusing, but I truly can’t get myself to give it any high praise. I chuckled throughout the majority of it, but I felt like I was also forcing myself to a few times. It’s not necessary to watch, but if you’re already a fan then it’s worth a watch. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is now streaming on Prime Video.
Rating: 3/5
Check out the trailer below:
