Sacha Baron Cohen's hysterical journey into America's heartland, in the guise of his fictitious Khazakstani television reporter, could justifiably stake a claim as the most uproariously and hysterically funny film of the year.

There are moments in Borat - Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan, which cut so close to the funny bone, you'll be doubled up in physical pain from all the laughter.

Like the victims who suffer the eponymous hero's anti-Semitic, homophobic quips, you'll need an open mind though.

The film does not suffer political correctness or social niceties gladly.

Directed by Larry Charles, this hysterical road movie introduces Borat and his long-suffering director Azamat Bagatov (Davitian), who intend to make a documentary about western culture.

So they bid farewell to Borat's hometown, where he proudly introduces us to his neighbours ("The town rapist", "The town mechanic... and abortionist!") before heading to the U S of A.

The situations depicted in the film are, with one notable exception, all real: these people truly believe Borat to be a visitor from another country, keen to absorb good ole fashioned American values.

Thus a southern society hostess shows incredible poise and restraint when Borat returns to the dinner table, having excused himself to visit the toilet, holding a plastic bag full of excrement.

She spirits him upstairs for a quick lecture on bathroom etiquette, including the proper technique for using toilet paper.

Cohen keeps a straight face throughout, even when his date, a voluptuous African-American prostitute turns up at the door, hoping for more than just a bite of dessert.

The madness continues at breakneck pace, to a rodeo where Borat manages to get one of the organisers to give an on-camera interview discussing his dislike of Muslims and gays, to the drunk fraternity brothers who inform their guest: "You are better than a woman. Do not ever, ever, EVER let a woman make you who you are."

The only false note in the film is Borat's bungled abduction of his romantic heroine, Pamela Anderson, at a book signing.