I don't understand why this movie isn't popular (with higher rating)

I dont rate a comedy movie like a regular movie, as long as its funny thats all that matters to me

I can understand that this film will have lesser appeal outside of the UK, because the Ali G character is unique to the UK, at least i think.

What you have in Ali G is a white Jewish guy playing a white guy who thinks he is black, and dresses, talks and acts like he is Jamaican.

I knew a lot of people in the UK that didn't get this, and assumed that the character was a light skinned black guy for real. And therefore missed much of the humour, which was about him desperately trying to be accepted as a hip, rastafarian gangster type.

In his early shows in the UK he would interview celebrities, who were often in on the joke. Later, he started doing interviews with real people as Ali G, such as politicians, historians, feminists, medical experts etc. He tried to come across as interested in the subject but also incredibly naive. Hence the interviewee would take a while to realise they were being fooled, and he gor some great reactions from people.

With Borat, I think the character is more of an obvious stereotype of the 'strange speaking foreigner' variety, which many people can identify with.

With Borat, there is also the fish out of water/stranger in a strange land aspect that people find fascinating. Such a character can often be tolerated and forgiven certain behaviour because they ' ain't from around these parts'.

But I think Cohen is clever enough to realise that such characters have a limited shelf life, before people are aware of who they really are.

I know Cohen is doing more serious roles these days like Spy and Trial of the Chicago 7. So whether he still intends to explore new characters/alter egos is anyones guess.

But I doubt the Borat character will resurface.