Borat (2006)

Actually, the full title of this movie is...
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
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Leighton: ****

The character of Borat Sagdiyev originated on the television show Da Ali G Show. He is a fictional television reporter from the country of Kazakhstan who is terrified of Jews and in love with Pamela Anderson (FYI, the actor and creator of Borat is himself Jewish). He is in America to learn about us and our customs. The point of the movie (and of the segments he appeared in on the TV show) is for Borat to act stupid in front of unsuspecting Americans and get them to act stupid in return.

I already knew what to expect from the movie since I was familiar with the TV show. I thought it was hysterical. Yes, parts were shocking. Yes, parts were stupid. But that disguises a lot of the intelligence of the movie. There is a reason Roger Ebert describes it as "the funniest movie in years." and gives it four stars.

And, really. How can you not appreciate a guy who stands in the center of a rodeo and, in fake broken English, proclaims to the audience of proud Americans, "We support your war of terror."

Here is a sample of Borat from the TV show where he gets a bar full of Americans to sing along to the song "Throw the Jew Down the Well."