Film Reviews

Ali G In Da House

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Barbara New
• Details: UK / 88 mins / (18).

Ali G makes his big screen debut in this sporadically funny but ultimately laboured, juvenile offering. In terms of plot, there's not a lot to go on here. After he learns that the Staines community centre, where he works on a part time basis, is to be torn down, Ali G (Cohen) makes a stand. The Machiavellian, self-serving Chancellor of the Exchequer (Dance) pays heed and sees Ali as the 'perfect' candidate for the forthcoming by-election in the area, realising that he's so uncouth with politics that he doesn't stand a chance of being elected, and the Prime Minister (Gambon) will have to resign. Against all the odds, however, Ali gets the seat and wins the affections of the public. Essentially what Ali G Indahouse consists of is a series of lowbrow sketches, centering on the title character's love of weed, women and Wu-Wear. This combination contains a few chuckle-worthy moments, but there's nothing to make the film really memorable, and you can't shake the feeling that Cohn has abandoned all vestiges of satirical humour in favour of the big money payoff. Still, expect it to be ahem, 'Massive'.

Review by Garreth Murphy