Ali G Indahouse
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Sacha Baron Cohen, Dan Mazer, Mark Mylod |
| Products | Comedy film |
Ali G Indahouse is a comedy movie released in 2002, co-written by Sacha Baron Cohen and Dan Mazer and directed by Mark Mylod. The film features Baron Cohen portraying Ali G, a character originating from the Channel 4 programs The 11 O'Clock Show and Da Ali G Show. This film marks the first installment in a series of four movies based on Baron Cohen’s personas, followed by Borat (2006), Brüno (2009), and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020). Unlike the subsequent films, it presents a fully scripted storyline without incorporating mockumentary style.
Plot
Ali G leads the fictional gang Da West Staines Massiv, which opposes the rival group Da East Staines Massiv. When plans arise to demolish their local hangout, the John Nike Leisure Centre, Ali initiates a hunger strike to protest. His actions catch the attention of Deputy Prime Minister David Carlton, who uses Ali as part of a political strategy to destabilize the sitting Prime Minister. Despite alienating much of the electorate with his outrageous antics, Ali unexpectedly secures the parliamentary seat for Staines after his opponent resigns amid scandal.
Once elected as an MP, Ali introduces unconventional policies—such as involving his gang in customs enforcement and advocating for more accessible education—which increase the Prime Minister’s approval rating by 22%, enabling support to preserve the leisure centre. At a United Nations peace summit addressing tensions between Chad and Burkina Faso, Ali secretly adds cannabis to the world leaders’ tea, which unintentionally transforms adversaries into allies and averts war. However, when this incident comes to light, Ali is forced to leave Parliament.
A fabricated sex tape scandal implicates the Prime Minister, resulting in his resignation and Carlton ascending as acting Prime Minister. Carlton reveals his intent to demolish Staines for Heathrow Airport’s expansion to benefit from property development profits. The West Staines Massiv unite rival gangs to uncover evidence clearing the Prime Minister’s name, ultimately saving the community. The movie concludes with Ali appointed as British ambassador to Jamaica, where he publicly embarrasses Carlton under his new authority.
Cast
- Sacha Baron Cohen as Ali G/Borat Sagdiyev
- Michael Gambon portraying the Prime Minister
- Charles Dance as Deputy Prime Minister David Carlton
- Kellie Bright in the role of “Me Julie”
- Martin Freeman playing Richard “Ricky C” Cunningham
- Rhona Mitra as Kate Hedges
- Barbara New portraying Ali's Nan
- Ray Panthaki as Hassan B
- Emilio Rivera as Rico
- Paul Clayton playing Alan Swan Lake
- Olegar Fedoro as Russian Minister
- Tony Way as Dave
- Eileen Essell in the role of Mrs. Hugh
- Daniella Lavender as Maid
- Capri Ashby portraying Nurse Nina
- John Scott Martin as Mr. Johnson
- Graham McTavish playing Customs Officer
- Naomi Campbell appearing as herself
- Nabil Elouahabi as Jezzy F
- Bruce Jamieson portraying Journalist
- Anna Keaveney as Secretary
- Rudolph Walker playing President Mwepu
Production
The film’s opening "gangland" dream sequence was shot in Los Angeles, while the majority of filming occurred across locations in Manchester, London, and Staines. Significant scenes were filmed at Manchester Town Hall between 31 May and 2 June 2001. Although references are made to areas such as the Berkshire Massiv of Englefield Green, these actually correspond to Surrey; notably, the John Nike Leisure Centre depicted is actually Willesden Sports Centre, which was later demolished and rebuilt.
Release
The movie made its debut in the United Kingdom on 22 March 2002, with subsequent international releases occurring gradually throughout 2003. In the United States, it saw a limited theatrical run, appearing in selected locations such as Austin, Texas, beginning on September 5, 2003; however, box office earnings for the US market were not disclosed publicly.
Regarding home media, the film was issued on DVD in the UK on 11 November 2002, followed by a US and Canadian DVD release on 2 November 2004. This DVD edition differs from the original UK theatrical version, most notably omitting the initial 30-second segment where Ali G humorously addresses the BBFC rating and cinema etiquette—this introduction was excluded from all international and subsequent home video versions.
Commercial performance
With a production budget of £5 million, the film generated a total gross of £17.2 million.
Critical reception
Critical responses were mixed overall. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 59% approval rating based on evaluations from 17 critics, with an average score of 5.16 out of 10. Metacritic assigns it a score of 46 out of 100 from nine reviews, reflecting a "mixed or average" consensus. Early critiques leaned toward the negative; however, the film experienced some favorable reappraisal following the acclaim of Baron Cohen’s subsequent projects, Borat (2006) and Brüno (2009). While acknowledged as a successful example of lowbrow comedy, it did not inspire the same level of devoted fan following as seen with Da Ali G Show or Borat.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album was released on 18 March 2002 and includes music featured in the film alongside interstitial content performed by Ali G in the style of a pirate radio broadcast on "Drive By FM." This enhanced CD also contains the music video for "Me Julie."
Cultural impact
In an effort to distance itself from fictional associations with gang culture popularized by the film, the local council officially changed the name of Staines to Staines-upon-Thames in 2012.