The Dictator (2012)

The Dictator is a film directed by Larry Charles, featuring Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, and Jason Mantzoukas. It tells the story of a caricatural dictator summoned by the UN Security Council for an official address in NYC.

I have watched Borat shortly after it went out on DVD and was really disappointed at the easy anti-USA humour, I expected even less from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Aladeen is not at all like Borat, but he’s similar: a foreigner in the United States, he’s even sillier. Nothing about him would let anyone doubt the satirical nature of the character.

I was surprised to see unshaven female armpits in an US production, but saddened by the conclusion: “I’ll shave my armpits for you!” (what kind of message is that?).

I had fun, but I think I may give Borat another chance, and watch Brüno.