Whether you love or hate this film depends largely on how much you understand about the central character 'Ali G' and the background of Sacha Baron Cohen, the comedian who plays the main role.
Ale G (who's 'real' name turns out to be Alistair Graham) is a young white man living with his grandmother in Staines, a working class suburb of West London.
In his mind, however he is the leader of a small but faithful group of 'young bloods' known as the 'Westside Staines Massive' - whilst they model themselves on a Los Angeles gang, 'reality' is quite different.
The film starts in a fantasy sequence, where Ali defeats a group of Latin American gang members, saving the life of a young mother and her child, and is rewarded by receiving oral sex from a couple of 'freed' prostitutes, instead he wakes to find it's all been a dream, and he's having his private parts licked by the family dog - to compound his embarrassment, his grandmother comes into the bedroom, and proceeds to humiliate him by addressing him as a toddler.
There's a hilarious 'car chase' down (presumably) Staines high street against the rival 'east side' gang in customised hatchback cars, with unfeasibly large hi-fis, in which they 'race' at the regulation 30mph, only to be
beaten at the end by entering a 20mph zone, and being beaten by a red light.
Ali comes to the attention of local politicians when he tries to mount a protest about the closure of his local community centre, in which he acts as mentor to a group of eight year old boys - he gains their nomination to become a candidate in a local BI-election, and by unintentionally slandering his opponent with rhetorical accusations of committing an act of oral sex on a farmyard animal, causes his withdrawal and thereby winning the election.
From there, the plot becomes increasingly unfeasible (as if that was ever a consideration) uncovers a corruption scandal, resulting in the resignation of the prime minister, and his eventual appointment as an ambassador to Jamaica, in which his duties include the approval of the Marijuana crop (like the 'Man from Del Monte') and the humiliation of the disgraced politician behind the scandal previously mentioned.
The character of Ali G has undergone some subtle transformations from the original portrayed in 'da Ali G Show' and the original '11o'clock show'
First off, and critically, is the removal of the ambiguity of Ali's ethnic origin - he's white, very, very, white, and the whole point of the film is beautifully sending up the adoption of 'gangsta' culture by a section if English youth, who have absolutely nothing in common with their idols.
This is the salvation of the film, without knowing this, it simply falls into the genre of 'racial stereotyping' instead of 'acutely observed satire'.
It won't be to everyone's taste, there are frequent references to drug culture, and homophobia features highly, however it's worthwhile noting that it spends more time challenging the phobia itself rather than gay lifestyles themselves - indeed two of the supporting actors, believing themselves to be facing certain death, are interrupting performing a homosexual act and admit 'we didn't want to die, and not know what it was like, it was quite nice actually'
The comic style is mostly 'adolescent' - relying almost entirely on 'knob gags' - I'm sufficiently confident with my masculinity not to be troubled by this, and there is a high degree of 'saucy' extras, displaying a high proportion of flesh, although this barely compares with the 'confessions' flicks of the 1970s, Benny Hill, or even 'carry on'.
I resisted the temptation to view this at the cinema, hire the video, or watch it on pay-TV, instead I bought a copy for about seven quid from my local 'previously viewed' section of the local video store.
The certificate is 15, and whilst there's many a Hollywood film I wouldn't especially mind my 13 year old daughter watching (after viewing, and exercising parental judgement) I don't especially disagree with the classification - I *hope* much of the humour would go well above her head!
Were I to offer one criticism, it is that the editing makes it unclear whenever Ali is in fill 'Walter Mitty' or 'Billy Liar' fantasy mode, and when the plot 'proper' takes over, in the end, it becomes increasingly hard to differentiate, by which time, however, it really doesn't matter.
The film deserves to be held in much higher regard than it is - whether it ever achieves cult status depends on whether enough viewers have a sufficiently highly developed sense of irony.
Shakespeare - it isn't - but it's a good deal funnier than most of *his* comedies!
Your Gran won't understand it, your parents probably wouldn't like it, your kids will be embarrassed by it (if they understand it at all) and your wife may well fall asleep on the couch (like mine did) - I had a jolly good chuckle to myself.
Worth a look if you get the chance, but don't spend too much for the privilege - probably best viewed after half a dozen pints and perhaps a couple of spliffs.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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By the marginal-or-miss standards of British TV spin-offs,Ali G in da Houseis well above ... more
adequate, even though it drags out every smart line or decent routine until they lie dead on the screen just begging for a laugh track. The film pulls back a bit f...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The most controversial and hilarious number one blockbuster, see the original superstar ... more
from Staines as you've never seen him before. Assisted by his loyal crew, the West Staines Massive and his girlfriend 'me Julie' he emerges as the unlikeliest of he...
By the marginal-or-miss standards of British TV spin-offs,Ali G in da Houseis well above ... more
adequate, even though it drags out every smart line or decent routine until they lie dead on the screen just begging for a laugh track. The film pulls back a bit f...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Ali G gets all political in his big-screen debut finding himself in the bizarre position ... more
of having to resolve one of the biggest national and political scandals in the country's history. Abetted by his loyal crew the West Staines Massive and long suf...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Ali G is da main man...he will always provide a laugh or two. Disadvantages: Not up to the usual standards that you expect from the staines man.
![Ali G Indahouse The Movie [DVD] [2002]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78545561.jpg "Ali G Indahouse The Movie [DVD] [2002]")
Sep 20th, 2004
very helpful by (100%):
