Oscars 2021 Nominations: Biggest Surprises And The Worst Snubs
8. Surprise: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm - Best Adapted Screenplay
"Very nice"...is probably what Sacha Baron Cohen said when hearing he has received both an Oscar nomination for his performance in The Trial of the Chicago 7 and also a nod for his writing. Yes, the Borat films have not scored two for two in regards to picking up screenplay nominations at the Oscars.
Not only did the original 2006 film (Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan) surprise everyone with a nod for Adapted Screenplay but its 2020 sequel (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan) has done so too. While it may be a case of Hollywood patting itself on the back with a film which cleverly and viciously attacks disgraced former President Trump, the fact that Borat Subsequent Moviefilm was one of the funniest films of last year probably helps too.
While the nomination may not be too surprising considering Maria Bakalova has been picking up a lot of awards for her role as Borat's daughter, it is fairly unusual for a comedy to be recognised for its screenplay. The Oscars have been getting better at nominating a 'token comedy' screenplay every year (The Big Sick, Bridesmaids) but they sadly very rarely win.