Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
Kazakhstan must hate this guy
I spent the last ten minutes busting a gut while reading The Wave’s Borat interview to my office manager. I know Sasha Baron Cohen is not universally loved; after all, when your shtick is to be as obnoxious as possible, you’re bound to step on a few toes. But, what’s not to like about this guy? (He has an uncanny resemblance to my brother, by the way — doesn’t he, Sis?)
The Wave: For those readers who don’t know you, tell us about yourself.
Borat: My name is Borat Sagdiyev. I a son of Asimbalat Sagdiyev and Boltolk the rapist. I am former husband of Osana Sagdiyev, who was daughter of Mary Anne Pulakby and Boltolk the rapist. My hobbies is disco dance, table tennis, and also taking photographs of ladies doing toilet without their knowledge. Why not? They do not know. I have previous work as icemaker and gypsy catcher. And I was also work in computer maintenanc e. I was the one who paints the outside and then remove the dead bird from its pipes. You like the birds? I move on. I have three children. Bilalk, Bilam, and Huey Lewis, who is 12 years old. He has a two children. Bilalk, who is 13, has American pen friend called Mr. Foley. He say meet in hotel room. Is nice. My sister make my family very proud by being No. 4 prostitute in all of Kazakhstan. She recently received award from Kazakh minister of industry for best sex in mouth. I also have a brother named Bilo. He is a retard with small head, but very strong arms. He has 204 teeth, 201 in mouth and three in nose. My first wife is dead. High five! She was shoot by a hunter who mistake her for a bear because she has much arm on her arms and back. No problem. I have a new wife. But, I like cheat. Yes, I looking at you.TW: What is your opinion of our president?
B: We in Kazakhstan very much admire your mighty warlord, George Walter Bush. He is a very wise man and also a strong man. But, perhaps not as strong as his father, Barbara. Next question.
But if you despise Borat, never fear: The Wave has an interview with Hugh Jackman, too.
So: has anyone seen Borat’s movie yet?
D.
I saw it.
Because I went into it understanding that it’s supposed to be a satire about America and how we treat foreign folks and each other, I got the joke. Which is not to say I didn’t find it painful when he pulled his shtick on the sweet, clueless, elderly couple. That was hard to watch.
To the frat boys who are suing him? I say, suck it up, dudes. You and Mel Gibson can attend the same rehab for fools who think alcohol makes them stay stuff they don’t really believe. I hope your girlfriends kicked your racist, misogynistic asses to the curb.
Would I recommend the movie? Meh. Unless you have a yen to see two naked and extremely hairy men engage in a homoerotic wrestling match RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, I’d say wait for the DVD.
I saw it on opening weekend with a theater packed full of uproariously laughing, average, ordinary, American anybodies. Personally, it was worth it just to be a part of that audience. I haven’t laughed that hard since I don’t know when.
I’ll admit, the hirsute wrestling scene dropped this comedy from near-genius political satire to lowbrow slap-stick (pardon the pun), but it was only for a few minutes.* Should you see it in the theater? Only if you want to know what all the hub-bub is about while its still fresh. Once this is released on DVD, it will be yesteryear’s news. But I’m betting it will still be just as poignant and funny.
(* Only a few minutes on screen; however, the images, those shocking images, and the words “my mustache still smells of your pubis” continue to ring through my brain.)
I read I.L.’s comment first, and was hoping the “my mustache still smells of your pubis” quote referred to a mons pubis rather than a man’s pubis. Eeew. Fast forward. If I do see this movie, I expect there will be some mighty painful moments. Such is the nature of Borat’s shtick.
Yes, he does look like our brother although I see Phil Kress in him more.
My students keep telling me to see this movie.
I haven’t laughed that hard at the movies for a long time. It’s the same kind of laugh that you laugh watching “The Office,” where you’re also cringing. But funny. Is nice.
Also, I think the fight scene will rank with the greatest fight scenes in cinematic history. Mark my words.
i think i told you i walked out in the middle of it. i understand that its supposed to be offensive and crude, i just dont understand how offensive and crude is funny. i thought it was disgusting and i wanted to puke by the time i left. bleh. i dont understand how ANYONE can find it funny.