Review: "The Dictator" is Sacha Baron Cohen at his provocative best
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Film Rating: A– “The Dictator” is a wonderful comedy filled with genuine surprises, but the greatest shock may be that Sacha Baron Cohen’s winning comedy formula – wildly unpredictable, gloriously offensive, socially conscious humor stemming from a morally repulsive (yet oddly lovable) protagonist – loses none of its power in the transition to a scripted, narrative format. Stylistically, “The Dictator” is a huge departure from “Da Ali G Show” or the “Borat” film, which relied on documentary aesthetics and large numbers of unwilling civilian participants. This film is instead entirely fake, made with professional cinematography, lavish staging, and recognizable comedic actors even in bit parts. Yet the abrasive, shocking nature of Cohen’s humor hasn’t been diluted one iota; if anything, having control over all aspects of the production gives Cohen and director Larry Charles license to go even further, to hone in on their thematic targets with laser focus while creating real, compelling characters and gleefully satirizing Hollywood genre tropes. The results are deliriously funny, and thoughtfully provocative, from start to finish.
Review: "The Dictator" is Sacha Baron Cohen at his provocative best
Review: "The Dictator" is Sacha Baron Cohen…
Review: "The Dictator" is Sacha Baron Cohen at his provocative best
Film Rating: A– “The Dictator” is a wonderful comedy filled with genuine surprises, but the greatest shock may be that Sacha Baron Cohen’s winning comedy formula – wildly unpredictable, gloriously offensive, socially conscious humor stemming from a morally repulsive (yet oddly lovable) protagonist – loses none of its power in the transition to a scripted, narrative format. Stylistically, “The Dictator” is a huge departure from “Da Ali G Show” or the “Borat” film, which relied on documentary aesthetics and large numbers of unwilling civilian participants. This film is instead entirely fake, made with professional cinematography, lavish staging, and recognizable comedic actors even in bit parts. Yet the abrasive, shocking nature of Cohen’s humor hasn’t been diluted one iota; if anything, having control over all aspects of the production gives Cohen and director Larry Charles license to go even further, to hone in on their thematic targets with laser focus while creating real, compelling characters and gleefully satirizing Hollywood genre tropes. The results are deliriously funny, and thoughtfully provocative, from start to finish.