Borat shan’t score at the Oscars

By Kyle Abbott
Collegian Reporter
January 24, 2007

I’m almost positive that the last words anyone wants to see in any printed media are “Oscar Race.” I am positive, however, that this year’s sudden burst of critically celebrated cinema can open up some darn good discussion about what an Academy nomination actually means.

Now, we’ve all heard the big frontrunners: Babel, Dreamgirls, The Departed, The Queen. But what about cult favorites? What about the underdog victory of Little Miss Sunshine or the naked, hairy rump fight of Borat? Granted, Sunshine cleaned up at the Critic’s Choice and is growing more and more in its popularity among most of the major American papers. That said, we are still left with a certain Kazakhastanian elephant in the corner — Borat.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s blockbuster character has offended his way into the hearts of thousands of Americans and left us all waiting for a “high five-a.” What was even more surprising was watching Cohen accept the Golden Globe for Best Actor. Most people, including critics, enjoyed Borat, but everyone has to admit that it dropped a lot of jaws.

Da Ali G Show creator is undeniably funny. Let’s face it, he’s original, edgy and was the redeeming factor of Talladega Nights. But does he deserve a nomination for Borat? Let’s weigh the options:

Nice: Cohen’s ideas? Fresh.

Cohen is chock full of catch phrases and an indescribably original personality. Considering the Middle East’s high level international news coverage, Cohen delivers with a timely character and flaunts his, how would Borat put it, “balls.”

Not So Much: Borat’s like the ’80s. Excess.

It’s a common comedy statement: watching people fall is funny. But after watching several people fall, it really loses its flavor and you start to wish that at least one person would not slip down the stairs or smash his or her nether regions. This is exactly what Borat did to me.

Cohen’s style is constant insult and disrespect. The first couple of botched interviews or slips of obscenity are funny, but after an hour-and-a-half, I felt beaten down. A 30 minute TV show is manageable, but a feature length of Cohen feels like getting hit with a stick… repeatedly.

Nice: Cohen’s funny and smart.

All there is to say here is that it’s nice to have some comedy that strays away from the “Frat Pack” humor of the past few years. Actors like Cohen and Steve Carrell are really helping to push mainstream comedy beyond the formula it’s been sitting in.

Not So Much: Borat is shticky.

The foreigner routine can only go so far, leading back to the “excess” point. The film is funny because Cohen is absurd. Jackass is funny because a group of guys are idiots. I like both, don’t get me wrong, but the gig’s up. When considering a film for the Oscars, especially a comedy, a little more depth is definitely needed in the humor.

Not So Much: It’s a **** of a **** in a **** with the ****…VULGARITY.

Too much vulgarity, man. Oscar is family friendly, although perhaps not quite as much as Disney. What creates the separation of ages in Oscar-worthy movies is the harshness of reality, the obscenity in the world around us, hence Crash, last year’s winner. Borat’s obscenity really didn’t have a purpose, except to be funny. Oscar is definitely not a fan.

These are just the major opinions of people who’ve seen Borat or even have just done a little bit of research about it. I’ve got my views on it and I’m going to agree, Borat just isn’t where it’s at for the Academy. Cohen is a respectable guy and I don’t wish him any ill will at all, but there’s a big reason Borat isn’t on that Oscar list.

I do, however, hope that Cohen continues to make films and hopefully push his boundaries. Perhaps he should play a character that he hasn’t written to himself. So, as you’re watching the developments of the Academy, just keep in mind what really makes a movie earn the Oscar. You know, really think it out before you go in on that betting pool with all your friends. I know I will.

abbottdk1@lasalle.edu