“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (2020) — Review
When looking at the list of nominated movies for this year’s Academy Awards, I instantly knew that I needed to view and write about the newest “Borat” film that had been flooding my social media throughout the last year. “Borat” has always been a dreadfully enjoyable film that my stepfather always seemed to find the worst times to put on throughout my childhood. Its witty, cringeworthy comedy never failed to have my family letting out equal parts of laughter and sounds of disgust at the same time. The second, most recent “Borat” film did not disappoint my expectations of feeling this way for another hour and thirty minutes of my life. Yet again, I was amazed by a film containing hilarious scenes where I could not bare to watch, yet not able to tear my eyes away.
“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” covers what has happened over the years since the first film ended, draws humor towards America’s current political climate. The plot’s premise revolves around Borat going on another mission to America in order to deliver a gift to Mike Pence in search of his approval and brotherhood to Kazakhstan. However, it is obvious that things have changed over the years. Borat’s mission includes struggles with the recent boom in technology in America, the current political and social culture, and even the fact that he is recognized by people at almost every stage of his mission. On top of this, the original gift (a famous monkey/government personnel/pornstar?) was killed and eaten during his travel to America. Instead, Borat is left with his daughter to offer as a gift to Pence. The film follows him along his journey to complete this mission for his country, and not without proper, dreaded “Borat” fashion of different disguises and attire for himself and his daughter at every occasion.
“Borat Subsequent Film” does not fail to surprise and shock its audience as much, if not more than its prequel. While the first movie shocked and humored me, it was inevitable that this film would do the same tenfold as I am now viewing it as an adult and I have a deeper understanding of the concepts featured in this movie, such as the government figures and the jokes made about people throughout the movie. If anything, this merely made me enjoy the movie much more! “Borat Subsequent Film” uses similar, if not the same, elements of cinematography, sound, and editing that the original Borat film includes. The video quality is often poor in order to appeal to the “unprofessional documentary” aspect intended for the film, and the sound and visual transitions have yet to improve technologically for the series — not that we ever wanted or intended for it to.
“Borat Subsequent Film’s” raw, dark humor makes it stand out from many other movies, even more so than the first one had. In a current political and social climate of correctness, reform, and speaking out against injustices, the film certainly tests the waters of what is morally and ethically okay to both produce and consume in society. And I believe this is exactly what its writers and producers intended for us to ponder: is there a line between things that are acceptable to joke about and other things that are better left untouched and left alone? And in a current society torn by differing views, opinions, and mindsets, can comedy and humor be the key concept that brings us together? If anything, I believe a great quote by The New York Times ultimately solidifies my thoughts and asserts my overall thoughts and feelings about the film: “Into possibly the least hilarious year on record, he has come: not the Borat we deserve, maybe, but the one we need right now” (Leah Greenblatt).
‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ Review: More Cultural Learnings — Leah Greenblatt https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/movies/borat-subsequent-moviefilm-review.html
