‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ is crass and raunchy and wildly absurd

“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (US Rated R)

Cast: Sasha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova, Dani Popescu

Genre: Comedy/Mockumentary

Dwight’s Rating:

Yes, this one is a little late.

Released back in October, just before the 2020 United States (US) presidential elections, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” debuted exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

That’s not exactly the easiest platform to access in this part of the world.

Plus, with all eyes on that election, and with the holidays, and of course, the surging global COVID pandemic, I even forgot about the picture.

I was only reminded about it after this week’s shockingly ridiculous Golden Globe (GG) nominations. There were so many unbelievable snubs, and questionable inclusions: How could the excellent Regina King be (deservedly) nominated for Best Director for “One Night in Miami”, but the equally excellent film she directed be left off the Best Motion Picture nominee list?

In any event, after this second “Borat” film earned three GG noms, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, it was clear that it was time to finally take a look.

Fourteen years after the uproarious smash hit 2006 fake-documentary (mockumentary) “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation”, we find Borat, a “journalist” from Kazakhstan, has been imprisoned in his homeland for bringing shame to his country.

He is freed on the condition that he deliver a special gift to America, “for make benefit once glorious nation of Kazakhstan”. In the process, he risks life and limb, all while travelling with his 15-year old daughter.

While tackling timely topics like the election and even the pandemic, this sequel, like the original, is incredibly crass and raunchy, and wildly absurd. But it is also undeniably hysterical.

Perhaps it’s nowhere near as hilarious or fresh feeling as the original movie, but it still has some unbelievably funny moments. There are, however, more cringeworthy moments than funny ones.

A scene with former New York City mayor and former US President Donald Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani – who is completely unaware that he is the butt of the joke in a fake interview – is so creepy and unsettling, you may only be able to watch while peeking through your fingers, as you cover your face in horror.

Nevertheless, Sasha Baron Cohen is still a genius, as we’ve known for years. It’s not entirely surprising he’s once again received a GG nomination this week for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Music or Comedy as Borat. He actually won the award for the original film. (He’s also nominated this year for Best Supporting Actor for “The Trial of the Chicago 7” – one of the year’s best films.)

Yet, as good as Baron Cohen is, he’s upstaged here by the amazing Maria Bakalova, the 24-year old Bulgarian actress playing his 15-year-old daughter Tutar. She is simply spectacular, and deserves an award just for doing the unthinkable and seemingly impossible: relegating Borat to an almost supporting role.

Bakalova is a revelation, making “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” worth watching for her performance alone. Her GG nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy is well deserved.

I may be late, but I strongly hope it’s not the last we see of the character Tutar, and that we see much, much more of Bakalova.

• Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of “Morning Blend” on Guardian Radio and station manager. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

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