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The Dictator (2012)

 -  Comedy  -  16 May 2012 (USA)
6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 127,015 users   Metascore: 58/100
Reviews: 260 user | 291 critic | 41 from Metacritic.com

The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Rocky Citron ...
Liam Campora ...
...
Doctor
...
Patient
Rick Chambers ...
Newscaster Voiceover (voice)
Elsayed Mohamed ...
Wadiyan Olympic Official
Adeel Akhtar ...
Maroush
...
Aide on Balcony
...
Tamir
...
Virgin Guard
...
Virgin Guard (as Naz Homa)
...
Virgin Guard (as Dawn Zimniak)
...
Virgin Guard
Edit

Storyline

The Republic of Wadiya is ruled by an eccentric and oppressive leader named Hafez Aladeen. Aladeen is summoned to New York to a UN assembly to address concerns about his country's nuclear weapons program, but the trip goes awry. Written by Sam

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong crude and sexual content, brief male nudity, language and some violent images | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

|

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

16 May 2012 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El dictador  »

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$17,435,092 (USA) (18 May 2012)

Gross:

$59,617,068 (USA) (20 July 2012)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (unrated)

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The always lifted point finger of Aladeen was inspired on Cuban leader Fidel Castro who is always pointing in his speeches. See more »

Goofs

The photos of Aladeen and his past exploits aren't all unique. Some of the photos on the wall are mirrored copies, while most are just duplicates scattered around. See more »

Quotes

[Aboard the helicopter, Aladeen and Nadal are smiling at the American tourists in front of them, as Aladeen points at his sheriff's badge]
General Aladeen: I love being an Americans! America is number one! Oh, I am from U.S.A.! My father also from U.S.A.! My great-grandfather fought in the American Civil Jihad. I am very proud to be an American. I am America's number one douche.
[Nadal sighs]
General Aladeen: [Speaking in Wadiyan] I've fooled them. Job done.
Nadal: [Speaking in Wadiyan] So, how are things back at the Palace?
General Aladeen: [...]
See more »

Crazy Credits

Extra scenes during the end credits, including making-of moments. See more »

Connections

Features Forrest Gump (1994) See more »

Soundtracks

"Goulou L'Mama"
Written by Jalal Hamdaoui
Performed by Jalal Hamdaoui & Cheb Rayan
Courtesy of Fassiphone Belgium S.P.R.L.
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Woody Allen, Peter Sellers, Sacha Baron Cohen
20 May 2012 | by See all my reviews

The non-stop jokes, off-color humor, slapstick and under 90 minute running time of "The Dictator" hearkens back to early Woody Allen gems like "What's Up Tiger Lily," "Take The Money and Run," "Bananas," and "Love and Death. And, in the world of comedy, that's quite a compliment.

Like Cohen, Allen's first films were often misunderstood. Some folks just did not get the joke. Many still don't get it today. The object of comedy has always been to take down the high and mighty by whatever means necessary. And, if you happen to be a Middle Eastern despot, you will find much to be offended by here. But, as Allen often did as well, Cohen uses racial and gender stereotypes to shine a light on people's attitudes, and that's likely to put off others as well. That's fine. Some comedy just isn't for everyone.

While his writing style owes much to Allen, his acting chops are also influenced heavily by one of Britain's greatest comics, Peter Sellers. You can see it in his outrageous accents and in his ridiculous pratfalls. Like Sellers, Cohen is fearless in his characterizations and, again, like Sellers, there will be those who will take offense in this. Again, not for everyone. But, if you laughed your butt off at Sellers' simpleton Indian character destroying a Hollywood party, you will be laughing here too.

And that's what we're talking about; laughs. Not every joke works. Many fall flat. But the film starts off fast and furious with a rapid succession of gags, most of which work hilariously, settles down for a bit and then takes off again, literally. His verbal sparring with co-star Jason Mantzoukas is one of the highlights as are many of the fun cameo appearances and a running joke about his name that I will not reveal here. There are many great sight gags that are easily missed and the appearance of his Efawadh character at the U.N. channels a scene right out of Allen's "Sleeper." There's a few scatological and sex jokes also (one about excrement, one about urination, one about masturbation, several about body parts), and these, if you ask me, are the low point of the film (except a child birth scene that's as funny as it is outrageous). But, the bodily fluid gags, so rampant in comedy films today, are actually few and far between. And there's a bit of a message, too.

We're not dealing with "Citizen Kane" here. But, then, this film made me laugh much more.


115 of 177 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Recent Posts
Couldn't get past 10 minutes - worth a second try? slaintemhath
Love it or hate it - Your most LOL moment in the movie lrregularly_irregular
How old are you and did you liked this movie? majid10
what was offensive?! Hobbitte
Liberal hipsters protesting a dictator? Uhh, what? revos05
Am I the only one to smell some weird Jewish propaganda in this movie ? ilokk
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