Watching Spouse's Perspective: Borat Sequel Movie Review by a Spouse
In the world of American pop culture between 2006 and 2013, I was largely clueless due to my expatriate lifestyle in Tokyo. My movie-watching was limited to sneakily torrenting films and evading Japan's internet police. Borat, a character or film I still know next to nothing about, never made the cut.
Fast forward to today, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm found its way onto Amazon Prime Video. Excited for a break from work, my husband took a day off to revisit both Borat movies, starting in his underwear.
My only real encounter with Borat prior to this marathon session was a frantic phone call from my mom in 2006, shortly after the first film was released. She was terrified, claiming the film was disgraceful, disrespectful, and not representative of America. I had to assure her that I hadn't watched Borat, as it wasn't shown in Japan.
Intrigued but dubious, I decided not to break my promise and watch Borat. Reading the Wikipedia synopsis left me baffled, and glimpses of the movie, obstructed by my husband's Halo bookend, offered few answers. Perhaps this was a form of cheating, but I decided it didn't quite count as watching the movies.
During his re-watch of Borat 1, I caught snippets like Borat chasing a chicken on a New York City subway, Borat wearing an absurd cowboy hat at a rodeo, and Borat creepily watching Pamela Anderson in a hotel room. These glimpses made me understand why my mom, who isn't fond of satire, might have been viscerally upset.
As for Borat 2, my knowledge was limited to Rudy Giuliani's involvement. During the sequel, my husband moved from the living room TV to the bedroom TV, leaving me with a less obstructed view. I spotted Justin Trudeau in blackface, lots of pictures of Donald Trump, and a monkey dressed in strange outfits. Some bits depicted Borat selling his daughter to Mike Pence, running through CPAC dressed as a Ku Klux Klan member, and offering to make a viral video about Joe Biden and Hunter Biden. The scene with Rudy Giuliani has sparked controversy and legal threats.
"It was okay," my husband admitted when I asked about the sequel. He found it less entertaining than the first Borat movie. We discussed how Borat 2 might define 2020 as one of the few movies released due to the pandemic.
Despite my limited exposure to Borat, I've come to the conclusion that this character embodies everything that's wrong in my life right now - mainly the existence of Amazon. Amazon, responsible for rescheduling our wedding, pushing terrible Prime Day deals, and undermining fashion, has now subjected me to Borat 2 and this blog assignment. I'm not taking this lying down - I'm cancelling my Prime membership. That'll show Jeff Bezos.
Insights
Plot of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, released in 2020, is a comedic film that follows Borat Sagdiyev, a fictional Kazakh journalist, as he returns to the United States with his daughter, Tutar. The film critiques American culture, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2020 U.S. presidential elections[3]. Borat's mission is to offer his daughter as a bride to then-Vice President Mike Pence, but the story evolves into a series of misadventures and social commentary[3].
Controversy Surrounding the Film
The film has been embroiled in controversy for several reasons:
- Rudy Giuliani Scene: This scene, in which Giuliani is tricked into a hotel room with Maria Bakalova, who plays Borat's daughter, has sparked widespread criticism and legal threats[1].
- Safety Concerns and Legal Issues: Sacha Baron Cohen faced significant safety risks during filming, including being pursued by a pro-gun militia group. This led to him going into hiding for several days[1].
- Cultural and Political Satire: The film's use of satire to critique American politics and culture has been a source of controversy. Some viewers found the humor offensive or inappropriate, while others praised its bold commentary on contemporary issues[3].
- Despite my limited exposure to Borat, I now realize that his character represents a form of tech-based intrusion into my personal life, similar to the way Amazon's tech (1845442072) has been omnipresent and sometimes disrespectful in my life.
- The plot of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, released in the future technology-driven year of 2020, follows Borat Sagdiyev as he returns to the United States with his daughter, mirroring the occasional chaotic events that seem to characterize the tech industry.
- In the movie, Borat's mission to offer his daughter as a bride to then-Vice President Mike Pence can be seen as a metaphor for the disrespectful tech acquisitions and deals that (unlike in a waif-like fashion) can seem invasive and inappropriate.
- Much like the character of Borat, who dons absurd outfits to blend in and critique American culture, tech companies sometimes employ unconventional and controversial strategies to gain acceptance and make their mark.
