Ali G. Indahouse

Um, no eugenics for now.

Ali G. began as a character on Britain's "The 11 O'Clock Show." Ali G. was the "voice of the youth" sent out to interview people about significant current events. Apparently, he had such a knack for this, that he was given his own show in 2000. He would interview very well-known and important people and then engage them in absolutely ridiculous discussions. Though I haven't seen the show, I admire the idea of interview blasphemy.

Sacha Baron Cohen stars as "Ali G." a character he has played for two successful T.V. shows, first in the U.K. and now here in the U.S. His vibe? He's a wanna-be gangsta. He speaks in the patois of "Brit-hop," is covered in blinged out clothes and requisite gold and ice. His car's windshiled is labeled: "Ali G." over the top of the driver's side and "Ma bitch" over the top of the passenger's side. He is obsessed with his penis, is a clumsy but persistent "player," and seems utterly clueless and out of the "reality loop." And that leads me to my first difficult question: Who, exactly, is Sacha Baron Cohen lampooning in his portrayal of Ali G.? White kids who wanna be black? Suburban kids who want to be urban? Black American hip-hop culture? English culture?

I think the answer to that question is: All of us. Anyone who ever takes television seriously, who believes that out culture isn't as sick as it just may be. Because what he does is truly grotesque. But it's also funny.

Is it a Dick Flick? Yes.

(1) Created for a male audience? Yes. I have never known women to be quite so tickled by penis humor as are men. In the opening dream sequence, we see his body's silhouette on a wall--after he has faced down a gang of 20 L.A. gangsters firing automatic weapons--made out of the bullet holes. Utterly unscathed, he steps away from the wall to reveal that his profile inclues a 2 foot schlong.

He then "liberates" a couple of "ho's" from an evil pimp. He first admonishes the pimp's sexist treatment of the women. When the pimp is scared away by Ali G.'s dream-induced fierceness, the women join Ali G. in his low rider and proceed to give him a blow job, naturally noting that his size will demand both their attention. He wakes up to find his dog, Tupac, liking his crotch. "Wha' evah," Ali G. shrugs sheepishly.

(2) Catering to and reinforcing male and female stereotypes? Uh-huh. His grandmother is an overly cheerful clueless individual who walks into his room and urges him out of bed as though he were a child. Ali G.'s girlfriend, whom he calls "Me Julie" is a nurse. Though she's tough, she also stays with a guy whom she constantly witnesses scamming on other women. And for the occassion of a state dinner, she wears a horribly inappropriate dress which Ali G. bought for her. Final tipping point, she stands by her man. Lastly, there is the beautiful but power hungry Kate Hedges, assistant to the evil Deputy Prime Minister. It's her change of heart that saves the day. But when she gets into a monologue about her transformation, she is unceremoniously interupted by Ali G. who covers his ears and declares, "Boring!"

For the men, Ali G. himself is one big stereotype. The character's a white kid who wants to be a gangsta. He wants to be tough and wants to sleep with any woman he desires. He is an oversexed, braincell deficient stoner.

The Prime Minister in the story is a bit of an idiot and easily manipulated by his second-in-command, the deputy Prime Minister (and if I'm not clear on Parliamentary hierarchy, please forgive me). Ali G. travels with a posse as clueless as he is. They feign the same gangsta cred, but are equally bankrupt. Getting stoned and watching porn is their heaven.

(3) Often pandering to male fantasies including but not limited to, women, power and sports? As the above illustrates, yes. A thousand times yes. I've got three words: Two Foot Penis!! I think this relates to the power fantasy. As for women, I think it's a fantasy that a self-respecting woman would wear the dress "Me Julie" wore to the state dinner (basically, it was an intricate series of gold chains over a hot pink two piece bathing suit, and included a matching feather boa). And of course, Ali G. gets respect in Parliament. Though I'm sure if he'd been mocking the House of Representatives, I'd be laughing a bit harder.

Now, I understand how all of the above could be taken as me having no sense of humor. Not so. I found the movie very funny, at times. I think my favorite laugh was the dog crotch licking scene, especially Ali G.'s tentative, Wha'evah. There's no doubt that this movie did not try to be any more than it was: crude humor appealing to the 10 year old in all of us.

I just wish seeing women half-naked and submissive wasn't a necessary plot device. Sacha Baron Cohen was on his way to a Ph.D when he was redirected by acting's pull. I wonder if this film could have been smarter, more inventive and less pandering if he'd actually gotten his doctorate. Yeah...no, I don't think so either.