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The Dictator
2012 83 min United States of America, Spain, Morocco R 18+
★6.3
Comedy
Director: Larry Charles
Trailers
Description
The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.
Budget:
$65M
US Gross:
$59.65M
Worldwide:
$179.38M
Starring
Sacha Baron Cohen
Actor
Anna Faris
Actor
John C. Reilly
Actor
Awards
1 win & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
The Dictator is a polarizing political satire that marks a shift for Sacha Baron Cohen from improvisational "gonzo" comedy to a more conventional, scripted narrative. While many appreciate its sharp, provocative mockery of global politics, critics remain divided over whether this shift to a mainstream format sacrifices the originality and biting wit of his earlier work.
| Acting | Sacha Baron Cohen delivers a vivid, meticulously crafted performance that anchors the film's absurd premise. | |
| Cinematography | The film utilizes a more polished, studio-produced aesthetic compared to the handheld, guerilla-style cinematography of the creator's previous projects. | |
| Score | The Eastern-inspired musical score is well-integrated and successfully enhances the film's specific cultural mood. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some praise its biting satirical insights into politics and stereotypes, while others find the narrative thin, predictable, or lacking the ingenuity of Cohen's prior films. | |
| Originality | The shift toward a more mainstream, scripted format creates disagreement; proponents find it more watchable and accessible, while detractors feel it replaces edgy, original satire with safe or disjointed vulgarity. |