The Dictator
- 2012
- Tous publics
- 1h 23m
The heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.The heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.The heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
John C. Reilly
- Clayton
- (uncredited)
Nazanin Homa
- Virgin Guard
- (as Naz Homa)
Dawn Jackson
- Virgin Guard
- (as Dawn Zimniak)
Featured reviews
Ali G, Borat, Bruno. If you've seen any of them, then you probably know what to expect from Sacha Baron Cohen. Vulgar, crude, politically INcorrect are just some of the terms you could use - depending on your opinion.
Basically, if you're easily offended, you probably won't want to watch the tale of an evil Middle Eastern Dictator who finds himself lost in America amidst a plot to oust him from power.
However, there are still plenty of people who find this sort of humour funny (and I'm one of them). Personally, I didn't think it was as good as Borat or Bruno as the second half seemed a bit forced. The film lasted just under the typical hour and a half mark, but probably could have got away with being an hour long. It would probably have been a pretty funny hour - if you like that sort of thing.
The major criticisms being thrown at The Dictator is claims of racism (just like Borat and Ali G, not to mention claims of homophobia at Bruno) and whether the film mocks Middle Eastern stereotypes, or whether it actually attacks those who impose the stereotypes. The film has also come under fire for being too 'pro-Jew' too anti-American and generally too liberal. Maybe that's true, maybe it's not. It's one of those arguments where if you're looking to use this film to support or challenge your own political viewpoint or religious beliefs there are arguments for and against.
The bottom line is that it's quite funny. Quite. Not as good as Borat or Bruno, but still there are plenty of silly and vulgar (and I should emphasis the words 'silly' and 'vulgar' because they're the backbone of this film) moments to make you laugh out loud. Probably not a classic, but entertaining nonetheless.
Basically, if you're easily offended, you probably won't want to watch the tale of an evil Middle Eastern Dictator who finds himself lost in America amidst a plot to oust him from power.
However, there are still plenty of people who find this sort of humour funny (and I'm one of them). Personally, I didn't think it was as good as Borat or Bruno as the second half seemed a bit forced. The film lasted just under the typical hour and a half mark, but probably could have got away with being an hour long. It would probably have been a pretty funny hour - if you like that sort of thing.
The major criticisms being thrown at The Dictator is claims of racism (just like Borat and Ali G, not to mention claims of homophobia at Bruno) and whether the film mocks Middle Eastern stereotypes, or whether it actually attacks those who impose the stereotypes. The film has also come under fire for being too 'pro-Jew' too anti-American and generally too liberal. Maybe that's true, maybe it's not. It's one of those arguments where if you're looking to use this film to support or challenge your own political viewpoint or religious beliefs there are arguments for and against.
The bottom line is that it's quite funny. Quite. Not as good as Borat or Bruno, but still there are plenty of silly and vulgar (and I should emphasis the words 'silly' and 'vulgar' because they're the backbone of this film) moments to make you laugh out loud. Probably not a classic, but entertaining nonetheless.
I usually avoid movies I know will be explicit and include crude humor because it's just not my cup of tea. So, right off the bat I was expecting this movie to be absolutely horrible... I do not know if it was my low expectations before the screening, but I actually enjoyed this movie very much. In order to enjoy this movie, however, you do have to somewhat detach yourself from thinking too much into the wealth of racist and crude humor contained in the movie. Nevertheless, The Dictator is satire, it is a movie making fun of the real world, and if you let it be, it makes you aware (while laughing) at the racist thoughts and stereotypes ordinary people have everyday. Yes, it has its strange and explicit scenes, but overall, I think it has substance and it was very funny. Put your "Victorian" influences aside for a night and have a good laugh. Watch it.
I re-watched it and it is not as great as borat but it has lot of amazing parts the comedic timing is also good It has re-watch potential sacha is such good actor in comedy movies.
Most of the movie is pretty witty. The satire is crude and unfiltered, but most of it is pretty spot on. A bit like South Park stories but with bigger children.
The gross out humor however could have been way shorter. Some low hanging fruit lowest common denominator jokes were drawn out unnecessarily. I had to skip several 10 minute parts, but I missed none of the story anyway.
The love story part was forced. The suspension of disbelief was stretched so far it was almost painful.
Overall it was a reasonable story and I did laugh several times.
It could have used some extra editing and other extra care, then it would be a really good movie.
The gross out humor however could have been way shorter. Some low hanging fruit lowest common denominator jokes were drawn out unnecessarily. I had to skip several 10 minute parts, but I missed none of the story anyway.
The love story part was forced. The suspension of disbelief was stretched so far it was almost painful.
Overall it was a reasonable story and I did laugh several times.
It could have used some extra editing and other extra care, then it would be a really good movie.
I'm a little perplexed having read a couple of user reviews - one of them said this was movie was unbelievable and unconvincing due to the fact that it had a love theme going on? huh? I suppose the film 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' is unbelievable too? In fact, how many movies are believable? 'The Dictator' is a comedy, nothing less and nothing more than that, and that was the intention. Whether it's believable or not is irrelevant. The movie had plenty of laugh out loud moments.
I'm glad this movie headed in a different direction from his previous efforts. Had the film continued in the same fashion as the reality TV way, then I don't think it would have stood any chance of working, not with this new character anyway. So to those who are expecting and hoping for something similar to Bruno and Borat you may be left a little disappointed, but for those who wouldn't mind seeing something slightly different, and can take a movie for what it is, then you should enjoy this, as I did.
I'm glad this movie headed in a different direction from his previous efforts. Had the film continued in the same fashion as the reality TV way, then I don't think it would have stood any chance of working, not with this new character anyway. So to those who are expecting and hoping for something similar to Bruno and Borat you may be left a little disappointed, but for those who wouldn't mind seeing something slightly different, and can take a movie for what it is, then you should enjoy this, as I did.
Did you know
- TriviaThe mock-Arabic language that Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Nadal (Jason Mantzoukas) speak on the helicopter tour is actually Hebrew.
- GoofsAt 09:40 (After leaving the nuclear research campsite), A Waving Spanish Flag can be found on the top of the palace instead of Wadiyan Flag.
- Quotes
General Aladeen: [to his pregnant wife] Are you having a boy or an abortion?
- Crazy creditsIn loving memory of Kim Jong-il
- Alternate versionsUnrated version - 99mins
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.126 (2012)
- SoundtracksWala Ala Baloh
Written by Khaled Ezz, Mohamed Refahy & Mohamed Rahem
Performed by Amr Diab (as Amir Diab)
Courtesy of EMI Music Arabia
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- El dictador
- Filming locations
- Plaza de España, Seville, Andalucía, Spain(Palace of Wadiya exterior scenes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $65,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $59,650,222
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $17,435,092
- May 20, 2012
- Gross worldwide
- $179,379,533
- Runtime
- 1h 23m(83 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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