Ali G Indahouse (5 Stars)

No, this isn't a true story. I've slotted it in between my regular viewing because it's a film I've wanted to rewatch for a long time. I saw it in the cinema when it was first released in 2002. I bought it a year later on DVD, but the picture quality was abysmal. I forget whether I watched the DVD once or twice, but the DVD was so poor that I haven't watched it since 2003. Imagine my surprise when I found out that it's recently been released on Blu-ray. In Germany only! The Germans have good taste.

The film is about a young man from Staines who sees himself as an American-style gangster rapper. There's a humour in this that might not be obvious to people from other countries. Staines is a small, middle-class town just outside London. It's the last possible town where gangland crime is imaginable. Added to this, Ali sees himself as black, which he obviously isn't.

Charles Dance appears as David Carlton, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This is the title of the British finance minister, who is traditionally also the deputy prime minister. He lives in 11 Downing Street, next door to the prime minister. Political parties aren't named in the film. Carlton only talks about "us" and "the opposition". When the film was made, the Labour Party was in power, but we can't assume that it's a Labour government in the film. It's not relevant, so believe whatever you want to.

What's important to the story is that a by-election is coming up in Staines. That's yet more British political jargon that I have to explain to my readers from other countries. In Britain there's a general election once every five years for the 650 members of parliament. If a member of parliament leaves during the five years, most commonly as a result of death, a new election has to be held for his replacement, which is called a by-election. In Britain, by-election results are usually seen as an important indicator about the popularity of the ruling party.

David Carlton wants his party to lose the by-election in order to force the prime minister to resign, so he can take over the party and the government. He picks Ali G as the party's candidate for Staines, because Ali is so unsuitable that he's sure to lose. Or so he thinks. Ali's unconventional behaviour makes him popular with the locals, so Ali is soon in da house.

On Ali's first day in parliament the Speaker ejects him, because it's not acceptable behaviour to stand up to argue with the leader of the opposition. Nevertheless, Ali's behaviour makes him even more popular with the public, so he's soon allowed back.

Ali G is frequently distracted by the Chancellor's personal secretary, Kate Hedges.

When she crosses and uncrosses her legs, Ali has to take a peak. What man wouldn't?

Even when there are no distractions, Ali can't keep his mind on the job. He daydreams about a beautiful woman with a whip. Bad boy!

Ali G's right hand man is Ricky C, played by Martin Freeman. Does he think he's black as well?

Black or not, he's a good gangster rapper, as he proves in a duet with Ali. Friends who rap together stay together.

When the countries Chad and Burkina Faso threaten to go to war, special envoy Ali G encourages the presidents of the two countries to kiss and be friends. That's a wonderful idea. I'm sure that if Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin shared a passionate kiss they'd never argue again.

Charles Dance in drag? That's a sight I'd rather not see.

It might interest you to know that "Ali G Indahouse" features the first appearance of Borat in a film, four years before he made the film called "Borat".

This film's humour is rude, crude and sexist. In other words, it's brilliant. I hope that it will soon be released on Blu-ray in England or America, but if not, don't worry. The German Blu-ray contains the original English version.

Success Rate:  + 1.4

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