The phenon that is Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan has hit its high and looks like its hitting its low. This might mean bad news for Cohen Fans.
You knew the love feast about Borat had to end. The film has grossed more than $100 million, and audiences seem to find entertaining the news stories about the non-actors who were deceived about the film in which they appeared. Lawsuits? Angry bystanders? It’s all part of the fun of the film, right? That Sacha Baron Cohen sure fooled those folks into revealing their inner prejudices. But the after-party hangover is starting to set in
The very quality that made Borat such a success almost appears to be its own downfall. Fortunately for Cohen this backlash hits long after the money has already been made.
The movie consists mostly of Borat stumbling blindly in broken english to insult people to their faces, and its funny. Incredibly funny. But what happens when all those people are suddenly offended by appearing in this film looking stupid.
Drunken frat boys make asses of themselves, and then sue Borat for putting it in the movie. Cohen himself was struck by a man when he asked him in his Borat character’s signature verbage if he could have sex in the man’s suit. And daily reports of new lawsuits being brought against Cohen and the filmmakers for misleading people to appear in this movie. It was a gamble, and it paid off. But now the struggles begin to grow.
So what does this mean to Cohen films? Recently news of his Bruno character getting made into a movie hit the net. But will studios want to take a risk on a character that is likely to cause them grief? Will the Bruno movie be as entertaining if it doesnt feature the real reactions of unsuspecting citizens?
Is this experiment of Sasha Baron Cohen the last we will hear of him? I cant expect any other Ali G character to have nearly the same success?
I was never a fan of Cohen until I say Borat. I must say, truely a groundbreaking comedy. Similart zany humor as found in Johnny From Mexicali
http://johnnyfrommexicali.com
So because Bruno might not come out in theatres, you cannot enjoy Borat?
I dont get your point Ellie.
Borat was infact, the best movie I have ever seen. Ian Hunt, cohen is funny no matter where he is. Ali G isn’t great, but Borat the movie is the best movie ever. I was crying with laughter. Same with my dad. There might be a chance that Borat might not come out in theatres. This sucks. Now I can never watch Borat again.
The problem is that Cohen isn’t that funny. Most of the praises are coming from veiwers about the MOVIE, not really Cohen. The movie was good because it showed people in candid moments because most of them didn’t expect to be in an American film. Ali G wasn’t funny at all. Just my opinion. It’s like Jack Black = Not a funny guy by himself, but put him in the right location and in a good plot, and the whole movie itself has potential.
Jack Black was appearing in recognized blockbusters since the early 90s, so I would hardly list him as a new actor. Cohen has only really appeared in his own creations (Ali G) since very late 90s. Cohen is Ali G, and that is all he is known for. Black has been known for a LOT more.
Cohen got insanely popular with this incredibly funny and contravercial movie. Something I highly doubt he can duplicate.
I did ask a question, and you answered, but dont try to assume that I will only tolerate my answer.
You hardly rested any case, as you have yet to offer any “proof” that Cohen has any quality that will outlast this movie’s controversy and publicity.
I do not agree, Rodney, Jack Black does not have the flair that Cohen has. Black has been around for how long only? And most are already getting sick of him. His humour are the approaching to ‘gross’ kinda humour.. while Cohen is more… ‘articulate’ for lack of a better word. Black was popular for a loooong time in the US but no one from the rest of the world knows him for a loooong time too. Meanwhile Cohen establised his name widely first *then* doing bigger stuf.
Cohen has been around for some time now, and I think his star has barely shone. Who doesn’t like controversy… yes it is cheap but not that easy to make.. why he can still do it is because people do still crae about him so at this rate he can easily go on for another 5-10 years if he plays his cards right. He’s a smart guy, nobody should underestimate him.
You ASKED us a question whether this is the last we will hear from him, but seems like you only wanted one kind of answers.
As I said, my generation haven’t had enough of him, and not for a long time yet. I rest my case.
I think it’s pretty much over for him… even a new character will feel like another gimmick. That said, he’s made his money he can drift off into mediocre comedy for the rest of his days now
[quote]Cohan is a flash in the pan. He is only popular RIGHT NOW[/quote]
If going on 9 years = ‘RIGHT NOW’ then ok I’ll accept your ‘opinion’ but in my opinion 9 years is quite along time!
Infact a very long time for someone whos comedy has a seemingly very short shelf life.
Cohen will always be successful, his followings are more than anyone can think of. My generation haven’t had enough of him, and not for a long time yet.
Cohen is a flash in the pan. He is only popular RIGHT NOW. There are dozens of other actors who have not only proven their worth time and time again, but have been doing so for decades.
Cohen is only popular because of the contraversy. Sure he is funny as hell, but ONLY because of the contraversy. Once things die down, Cohen will be another Jack Black. Funny and entertaining for the time. In larger doses, people wont care.
Anyone else getting a little sick of people actting like Borat is something new, the dude and his character have been around for YEARS and now because the movie was a hit everyone has to throw in their 2 cents about this and that.
The law suits are nothing new just getting more press, and if you havent noticed, the people he spoofs on arent exactly in his demographic, he could go out tomorrow and shoot enough footage for another movie no problem.
The Ali G movie was crap because they went with something scripted and it lost ALL of its appeal. Do yourselves a favor and get Season 1 and 2 of the ALi G show, hours and hours of painfully funny entertainment to be had.
nord
Cohen will always be successful, his followings are more than anyone can think of. My generation haven’t had enough of him, and not for a long time yet.
I dont want to see Bruno, it lacks funny
Rodney…
I think this BS concerning lawsuits and all the bad press is only going to get the people that haven’t seen this movie, go see it (I’m one of them). I heard how funny it is, and will probably go see it sometime next week.
But I now have to ask: If this movie wasn’t shot it the States, would anyone that appears to be an idiot (like the Frat guys – only ones I know) have a case to sue? I mean, waivers were signed, and the excuse that they were mislead is pure and utter B*ll Sh*t! Not everyone is drunk when they signed the waivers, and they’re only pissed that their true nature came out in the film. I bet just about anyone involved in the lawsuit will take $5 million and run. That still leaves a helluva profit….
I think for another Cohen film to be successful he’s going to have to come up with a new character we haven’t see. Even folks that haven’t seen the movie now know what he looks like and more than a handfull, I’m sure, now have caught wind of Bruno too. For another one of his films to be as successful as this one, he’s definately going to have to find a new character.
I think they’ll probably wait a few years so that dust settles down…..just like they waited after the show went off air to make this movie…..
btw I thought Ali G in Da House (the movie with Ali G’s character) wasn’t half as funny…..