OSCARS 2021: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)

When rumors started to filter out in 2019 and early 2020 that Sacha Baron Cohen may be making a “Borat” sequel, I had an important question: In the era of Trumpian dumbness, did we need a new “Borat” movie? The whole point of the original film was to expose the bigotry and idiocy many Americans hid just under the surface. In our modern, post-facts world – where many people proudly declare their racism and anti-intellectualism – what purpose could Borat serve? Apparently, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” arose out of Cohen's growing horror over the encroaching 2020 election. This desire to do something, anything, in the face of the possibility of a second Trump term, prompt Cohen to un-retire his most famous character. The film would roll out on Amazon last fall, right before the election. Much like the first film, it's blend of vulgar comedy and social satire would make it a surprise Oscar contender. 

Borat's first movie made Kazakhstan an international laughing stock. The reporter is placed in a prisoner's camp for fourteen years. He's only busted out because the president of the country decides his brand of misogynistic xenophobia will appeal to the Trump/Pence administration. Borat is released and sent to America, to give Mike Pence the gift of a chimpanzee/pornographic movie star. Before leaving, Borat discovers his own country hates him and that his family has disowned him... Except for his fifteen year old daughter, Tutar. She accompanies him as he takes another tour of America. The absurdist outsiders, among other misadventures, wrangle with Trump culture and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Cohen must have been aware of the fact that, in 2020, we didn't need Borat to expose the ugly underbelly of the American condition. To compensate for this, the sequel doubles down on the absurdity. The humor mostly still arises from having the outrageous Borat mingle with unassuming Americans but the scenarios are goofier. Such as when he repeatedly has to use a copy shop to fax messages back and forth from his boss. Or an especially hilarious bit where Borat attempts to become a barber. Cohen also addresses another concern for the sequel, that Borat was now too well known for the mockumentary approach to work, head-on. Borat, already played by Cohen in disguises, puts on further disguises of his own. This results in even more ridiculous scenarios of Borat and Tutar arguing in a cake shop or doing their thing at an already uncomfortable debutante ball. This was a wise route to follow, since the sillier bits in the original “Borat,” that made unawares Americans straight men to Cohen's antics, are actually the ones that have aged the best.

It's still hard to say what Cohen and his team achieved by unleashing Borat once again in 2020. Inevitably, the character comes into contact with our new, far more insane political climate. He quarantines with a pair of Q-Anon conspiracy theorists, pranks a Mike Pence speech, and performs an admittedly catchy song at some sort of alt-right rally. There's no need to unmask America's ugliest impulse here – the brief sight of a Trump fan flashing a Nazi salute barely registers – but Cohen at least succeeds in belittling hateful, horrible people. Borat and Tutar, amid a series of amusing misunderstandings, has a pro-lifer implicitly admitting he's fine with incest and rape. Obviously, the film's proudest moment is its humiliation of Rudy Giulliani. Obviously, Rudy didn't need any help in that department but “Borat 2” did provide another amusing chapter in the hilarious public meltdown of “America's mayor.”

The most unexpected thing about “Borat 2” is how weirdly charming the titular character's relationship with his daughter is. It's utterly absurd but Borat comforting Tutar by allowing her to sleep outside of her cage is... Sweet really isn't the right word for it but nothing else quite fits. Maria Bakalova's performance, wild and fearless and somehow totally innocent, makes Tutar a real character. Her interactions with babysiter Jeanise Jones are both really funny and oddly touching. Watching her reject her father's toxicity, in a typically vulgar Borat-ian manner, is a genuinely satisfying character development. Obviously, Cohen's humor is knee-deep in irony but Borat and Tutar learning to appreciate each other is completely sincere. 

I didn't expect “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” to serve much of a purpose. Politically, it certainly didn't. Laughing at Trump and his cronies, who thrive on being the big dumb center of attention, accomplishes nothing but making us feel smugger. Yet who can blame Cohen for doing something to try and keep from going mad in a mad world? The sequel still managed to justify its own existence by creating an endearing – I guess that's the right word – dynamic between father and daughter. It's also pretty funny in spots. Bakalova is absolutely charming and I'm rooting for her at the Oscars. [7/10]