Sex, drugs and drum n bass... and a bit of speed garage (Ali G Indahouse: The Movie (DVD))

Member Name: thequy

Product:	Ali G Indahouse: The Movie (DVD)
Date:	24/03/02 (1805 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny as Fluck

Disadvantages: Can be crude

Trailers we saw suggested that Ali G has not really moved on since his cult beginnings on the 11 O’Clock Show. There is obviously still a heavy reliance on gangster rap/lad culture for source material: drugs, fast cars with loud stereos, and a none-too flattering relationship with the opposite sex. The loud and garish clothes are still there, as are the crass humour and blunt mannerisms. Even amongst his fans, the opinion was voiced that once the novelty wore off, the concept behind Ali G would go stale and the capacity to shock and amuse would dwindle into a “yeah, seen it all before” apathy. I would say that ‘Ali G in da House’ has indeed taken Sacha Baron Cohen’s alter ego to another level but if you didn’t like him in the first place, this film isn’t going to change your mind.

The 11 O’Clock Show interviews were built around Ali G’s attitude, the ‘rude boy’ mindset (quite self-explanatory as labels go). This inevitably drew criticism that he was endorsing the characteristics he portrayed – the sexism, the dole culture, the use of drugs – but the subtlety of the humour was that Ali G has always been a profoundly stupid individual. The sharpness on display when interviewing bear testimony to the fact that Baron Cohen is a Cambridge graduate but his creation Ali G is illiterate, innumerate, and could not distinguish between Italy and Africa on the map. Baron Cohen managed to send up his guests and their Hilfiger clad interviewer at the same time, and this largely through the medium of language.

When Channel 4 decided their rising star could do with his own slot, the Ali G Show let him give greater depth to his character through a number of daft sketches alongside the continuing windup interviews. The sketches allowed set-pieces and stories that the restrictive interview format couldn’t accommodate and this is the route that the film further develops
.


There is a plot – just. As the smoke clears from the explosive opening, we see that the Ali G we know and love/hate (delete as appropriate) still hangs out with his West Staines Massive posse. He still likes to ‘race’ (you’ll get it when you see the film) his hot hatchback with the thumping loud stereo. He still likes a smoke or two and maintains an eye for a fine pair of babylons.

However, it may come as a surprise to you that the day job involves teaching his young (quite young actually) class to ‘Keep It Real’. When the youth centre is threatened with closure, Ali G’s efforts to save the day get him tangled up with the evil Deputy Prime Minister (played by the ever efficient Charles Dance) and his dastardly plans to take over the government. Err, that’s about it.

The story maintains the daft, spoof-like nature of the sketches from the series and the first five minutes are enough to warn the audience not to expect too much depth or characterisation. In fact, there is a surprising level of coherence to the storyline and the humble beginnings described above are an able platform for a host of visual and verbal gags, some more subtle than others but few failing to deliver on the ‘belly laugh’ meter [y’all know what a belly laugh is, right?] On several occasions, we were left holding onto the sides of the seats, as the punchlines hit us with the frequency of an AK47.


Several characters familiar to long-time viewers are present. You’re probably already aware of Me-Julie (me = slang for ‘my’), but watch out for Me-Nan, Dangerous Dave and Uncle Jamel. We also meet for the first time his mate and fellow pirate radio DJ, Ricky C, played by Martin Freeman from The Office, not to mention (boo hiss) Hassan B, leader of the East Staines Massive.

[As a point of interest, the song ‘Me-Julie’ is one of the biggest p
iles of donkey manure I’ve ever asked my radio to digest but thankfully it doesn’t really feature in the film.]

As further testament to the success of the G’ster (or the involvement of Channel 4?) there are cameo appearances from Naomi Campbell and Richard & Judy, while music is provided by drum and bass supremo Adam F.


As for the main man, the cocky arrogance from the 11 O’Clock Show hasn’t gone away but is now hilariously complemented by a willing capacity to ridicule himself at every opportunity. What the 11 O’Clock Show hinted at and the Ali G Show confirmed, the film underlines in big yellow marker: that Ali G is a through and through ‘loser’ trying to act big, albeit one who means well. Think Homer Simpson with a spliff in hand. On the one hand, he is the antithesis of decency and propriety. On the other, he, um, keeps it Real. Will he manage to save the centre and foil the evil deputy PM? Will he regain the love of the beautiful Me-Julie? Most importantly, will he manage to keep the local swings out of the clutches of the East Staines Massive? Only time and a fiver or so at your local UCI will tell. Unless you decide to wait for the video of course.


I’ve given this 4 stars as someone who finds Ali G compulsive viewing but as mentioned above, if you didn’t like him in the first place, this is probably a 1 star job for you. Although he is cult-turned-mainstream, it is undoubtedly polarising stuff. Many find him offensive because he doesn't touch on taboo/sensitive subjects so much as smack them round the head with a baseball bat. Many find him side-splittingly funny because they can empathise with what he caricatures. Not in a ‘doing’ sense but in a ‘seeing’ sense – how many of you know someone who thinks he’s Mr Cool because his stereo pumps out a trillion watts, or because he smoked an ounce of skunk to himself
the night before and still managed to n*b his two garden tools?

Whether you empathise or not, Sacha Baron Cohen’s sharp turn of wit and immaculate sense of timing should be enough to win over anyone who doesn’t take offence at the subject matter. And with that, I shall implore you to make sure you’re there in plenty of time because the opening sequence is too good to miss. Aiii!

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