The Dictator Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dictator loses his beard and then finds love at a vegan grocery store, which, honestly, sounds like a Tuesday for Sacha Baron Cohen.

🍿 The Dictator: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Eccentric Dictator of Wadiya

Admiral General Aladeen, the despotic ruler of Wadiya, is summoned to New York to address the UN about his country’s nuclear program. Aladeen is portrayed as a childish and offensive leader, surrounded by female bodyguards and resistant to selling Wadiyan oil internationally. His primary goal is maintaining his absolute power.

Betrayal and Identity Theft

In New York, Aladeen is betrayed by his uncle Tamir, who plots to replace him with a dim-witted double named Efawadh. This double will sign a document democratizing Wadiya and opening its oil fields for business. Aladeen is kidnapped, his beard is shaved off, and he becomes virtually unrecognizable, setting him adrift in New York City.

Allison Burgers and Little Wadiya

Aladeen, now going by the name Allison Burgers, encounters Zoey, a political activist, who offers him a job at her alternative lifestyle co-op. He initially refuses but later seeks refuge in New York’s “Little Wadiya,” where he encounters Nuclear Nadal, his former head of nuclear weapons development, whom he thought he had executed. Nadal reveals that many of Aladeen’s supposed victims are alive and living in exile.

Plotting a Comeback

Nadal promises to help Aladeen regain his position, contingent on being reinstated as head of Wadiya’s WMD program. Aladeen accepts Zoey’s job offer to gain access to the Lancaster Hotel, where the new constitution signing is scheduled. His relationship with Zoey evolves, and he begins to fall in love with her despite their differing ideologies.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen): The childish and eccentric dictator of Wadiya, who fights to prevent democracy in his country but ultimately changes his ways for love.
• Zoey (Anna Faris): A kind-hearted, politically active co-op owner who challenges Aladeen’s worldview and becomes his love interest.
• Tamir (Ben Kingsley): Aladeen’s treacherous uncle who plots to overthrow him and exploit Wadiya’s oil resources.
• Nadal (Jason Mantzoukas): Aladeen’s former nuclear weapons developer, presumed dead, who becomes his unlikely ally in New York.
• Clayton (John C. Reilly): The torturer hired by Tamir to assassinate Aladeen, but fails due to his own incompetence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Aladeen: “Are you having a boy or an abortion?” – Aladeen asks this to his pregnant wife in a darkly humorous way, reflecting his oppressive views.
• Aladeen: “Death to Aladeen!” – Aladeen shouts this himself in an attempt to blend in with the anti-Aladeen protestors.
• Aladeen: “I will now give you a Wadiyan prostate exam.” – Aladeen says this line while threatening someone in a crude and ridiculous manner.
• Aladeen: “In Wadiya, we are known for our tolerance. We tolerate everything. Christians, Jews, Muslims… we even tolerate atheists!” – Aladeen boasts about his country’s tolerance, but the context and his tone suggest the opposite.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $59,650,222
• Worldwide Gross: $179,379,533

💥 The Dictator Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went in expecting pure chaos and I wasn’t disappointed! Sacha Baron Cohen is just fearless. The helicopter scene alone had me in stitches – the sheer audacity! It’s not high art, but it’s a ridiculously fun ride. Some jokes definitely cross the line, but that’s kind of the point, right? If you’re easily offended, maybe sit this one out, but I honestly laughed so hard my sides hurt. And the ending? Let’s just say it’s classic Cohen.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Sacha Baron Cohen’s previous work (Borat, Bruno)”
  • “Viewers who enjoy politically incorrect humor”
  • “People who appreciate satire and cultural commentary (with a heavy dose of crude jokes)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude and offensive humor”
  • “Racism and stereotypes”
  • “Sexually suggestive content”
  • “Violence”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Cohen’s brand of humor is undeniably provocative, pushing boundaries with its raunchy and satirical edge. However, the film sometimes struggles to balance its shock value with genuine wit, resulting in moments that feel more crass than clever.
• Rolling Stone: “While not as groundbreaking as ‘Borat,’ ‘The Dictator’ still delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Cohen’s fearless performance and the film’s willingness to tackle controversial topics make it a worthwhile, albeit occasionally uncomfortable, watch.

Audience Reactions

Sacha Baron Cohen’s performance is hilariously over-the-top.: Viewers praised the movie for its bold and unapologetic humor.

The film’s political satire is sharp and insightful.: Many enjoyed the movie’s willingness to take on controversial topics.

Overall Consensus: A controversial comedy that offers plenty of laughs, but its crude humor may not be for everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The mock-Arabic language spoken by Aladeen and Nadal is actually Hebrew.”
• “Filming took place in Plaza de España, Seville, Spain, to represent the exterior of the Palace of Wadiya.”
• “Sacha Baron Cohen’s brother, Erran Baron Cohen, composed the film’s score, which includes comedic versions of popular songs with faux-Arabic lyrics.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Dictator?

The Dictator is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video for rental or purchase. It’s also typically available on Apple TV and other major digital distribution services. Check your local listings for streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Dictator, you might like these similar films:

• Borat (2006): Both feature Sacha Baron Cohen in a mockumentary-style comedy, pushing boundaries with outrageous and offensive humor.
• Bruno (2009): Another Sacha Baron Cohen creation, sharing the same cringe comedy and satirical approach to social and cultural norms.
• Coming to America (1988): Features a fish-out-of-water story where a wealthy prince tries to live among commoners.
• The Great Dictator (1940): A classic satirical comedy that lampoons dictators, serving as an inspiration for political comedies.
• Veep (2012-2019): A modern political satire television series with sharp wit and dark humor.

🛒 The Dictator Related Products

• The Dictator: Movie Poster: Officially licensed poster featuring Admiral General Aladeen. A must-have for fans of the movie’s irreverent humor.
• The Dictator (Blu-ray): Own the movie in high definition, with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Admiral General Aladeen T-Shirt: Show your allegiance to the Republic of Wadiya with this stylish t-shirt featuring the face of the Supreme Leader.
• The Dictator: Unrated Version: Experience the full, uncensored version of the movie with extra scenes and outrageous humor.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Dictator features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Wala Ala Baloh” – performed by Amr Diab
• “Aladeen Motherfucker” – performed by Eran Baron Cohen
• “Everybody Hurts” – performed by MC Rai

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Dictator’s Wadiya: Fiction vs Reality

Dive into the fascinating world of Wadiya, the fictional country from The Dictator, and uncover the sharp satire and political commentary hidden within!

“Stop That”| The Dictator edit

Get ready for some hilarious entertainment! This edit takes iconic scenes from The Dictator and perfectly syncs them with a slowed-down version of ‘Stereo Love’ for an unforgettable viewing experience.

“Allison Burgers”| The Dictator edit | Edward Maya ft.Vika Jigulina – Stereo Love (Slowed)

Enjoy a fresh take on The Dictator with this skillfully crafted edit. It’s a hilarious mash-up of iconic movie moments and a catchy tune that you won’t be able to resist.

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