Borat: Where Do I Begin?

Esther Kustanowitz' review seems too open-minded. Evidently it's now fashionable to express virtually any sort of anti-Semitic notion no matter how offensive. That is as long as you're a Jew pretending to be a Muslim while doing so. What's more it seems there's even a lucrative market for such material depending on who appears to be profiting from it and whom they appear to be mocking. But please don't expect me to remain vocal in opposing anti-Semitism after seeing how charitable its victims are towards those who propagate it (depending on the circumstances).

I'm going to see the movie tonight, although I've seen enough trailers and earlier alli-g shows to know the Borat character. He's actually just the instigater in these live theater moments, the real star, the real buffoon, is the person he's talking to. We laugh not at Borat, but at the idiot he's talking to. Just the fact that they don't realize they are being put on is the heart of the joke, and the longer they don't realize it, the funnier it is.
The Americans caught on tape being so frigging stupid they know so little of the world that they are willing to believe people drink fermented horse urine (rather than fermented horse MILK) is hysterical. I'd like to believe that for every gullible idiot he interviews there are tons of out takes of people saying "Dude, you've got to be kidding". That Cohen does all this with a straight face, so sincerely, is a credit to his acting and improvising skill. Oh, and by the way, I'm a Jew too, although not a religious one, and I'm not offended by him. I'm amused!

While I enjoyed your review, I pretty much disagree with the idea that Borat is any sort of mirror. First, I don't believe the scenes were spontaneous. I mean, come on, the camera guy was right there! Second, many of the scenes were just "banana peel" type humor and had no cultural revelations whatsoever (antique shop, forex). Third, the actual revelations were underwhelming: wow, there are some bigots in the South. What a shock. It's a generally amusing film, no question, but I think U.S. reviewers are making too much of it.

As a 17 year old I fear the implications of this film on my generation. To be honest, the kids from this generation aren't too bright and tend to glorify immoral things. The example you cited of the teens singing the "Throw a Jew Down a Well" doesn't surprise me but does horrify me. Borat in teen eyes is likeable in a sense, and teens will want to mimic his behavior and outrageous language. They're more focused on looking "cool" than any sort of redeeming "social mirror." I just fear a bunch of outrageous, hateful sounding memes springing from this without people realizing their true meaning.
However, my friend and I will be seeing it this week, and I think those who are mature in my age group will benefit greatly from this film and have an overall good time.

You said; "But another friend of mine saw it in a different neighborhood, and he reports having been one of only a few Jews in the audience." How exactly was your friend able to tell who the Jews were? That concept, of 'just knowing who the Jews are' scares me more than anything Borat could come up with. Sick.

Man, this movie is funny and it is a satire but lets face it some of it had to be faked. I mean come on, if you or I ran through a Marriott or a Holiday Inn during a large convention, naked, they'd throw our naked ass in jail.

Also if you or I tackled Pamela Anderson at a book signing, we'd wouldn't be removed by "security", we'd be locked up in the LA jail.

So take it for what it is, a complete satire, but is Cohen taking advantage of his jewish tradition by using anti-jewish humor? Its a double standard, jews can make fun of each other because they are jews, but if a non-jew does the same its considered antisemitism.

I supposed in a perfect world racial & religious stereotypes and humor have to go away before the general population can achieve the goal of a completely non-prejudiced and non-hate-filled world.

Booshaka. Respect.