Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (DVD, 2007, Anamorphic Widescreen)

Quite often a movies success is dictated by the era it was released. This movie is no exception. I'm currently on the fence with Borat. On one hand it has it's genius moments and really does get you laughing. On the other, I realized that this movie is completely making fun of me and my country, the USA. And right now, in a post 9/11 world my sense of humor is wearing thin on the subject. Seems that everyone is getting their kicks in while a country is down, even by some of our own ungreatful citizens. Had this movie come out before 9/11 I'd be able to laugh without a second thought. But it bothers me that the whole film was edited to make Americans look like nothing more than uptight blue bloods, ignorant rednecks and criminal minorities. Not once did it ever show a good side. But it doesn't take an over paid movie critic to figure out that's exactly what they're going for.

Oddly enough I didn't hate this movie. I should, but I don't. As much as I didn't care for the subject matter, it was still funny. I'm actually more surprised that people were just upset by the nudity. The Borat character was very likable. I can't get enough of his silly catch phrases. But deep down, behind the laughter I'm really sad...because this is how other countries really see America. We're the bad guys until someone needs our help. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.