The Dictator
Dir: Larry Charles
2012
**
Dictators and Despots are fair game when it comes to making fun of them, frankly they deserve everything they get. Charlie Chaplin had the same idea back in 1940 and sent up Hitler brilliantly in what is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. The big difference between both films is that Charlie Chaplin's film was clever and funny. Sacha Baron Cohen is more intelligent than this, in fact the only good thing in this film is towards the end where his character points out the similarities between the American government and a dictatorship. If they had concentrated on that idea throughout the film it would have been good but as it is it is just puerile crap and not in the least bit funny. I'm stunned by the positive reviews it received, for me it is one of the worst films in the last 10 years. It is a hugely wasted opportunity and for me highlights the decline in quality, evident in today's film industry. All that time and effort spent on the film's production obviously didn't go to waste but it certainly lead way for the biggest anti-climax I've seen in recent years, if only they could have spent as much time on the film itself. Sacha Baron Cohen should stick to what he is good at but I guess he's too big now, so maybe it's time to call it a day. For me he was at his best on the The 11 O'Clock Show, in the late 90's. This is when Ali G, Borat and Bruno were at their funniest too. He was never that good a writer either, his only real talent is that he can keep a straight face. This is not good satire, good satire will make you laugh.