Film: Bruno

STARRING: Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Sweeny Todd, Talledaga Nights)
DIRECTOR: Larry Charles (Borat)
WRITERS: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Dan Mazer (Borat, Da Ali G Show); Jeff Schaffer (Eurotrip)
PLOT: Ultra-gay Austrian fashionista Bruno wants to become a star in America. Uncomfortable interactions ensue.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS
4 It’s hard to do a review of Bruno without mentioning Borat. They are kindred spirits but I found myself rooting less for Sacha Baron Cohen latest character. Borat had more of an innocent demeanor being a simple foreigner; Bruno should know better so he doesn’t come off quite as well. Of course, you have to applaud the risks that Baron Cohen when it comes to his characters.
4 I did find the content of this movie more pointed and relevant. The plot seemed to make sense as Bruno tries to make it big. His challenging of middle America’s responses to homosexuality is humourous and relevant given the gay marriage debate in California. Borat was more random as he tries to meet Pamela Anderson.
4 Unfortunately most of the funny bits can also be found in the commercials. There are some lines here and there but it did not contain the same awkward humour as Borat. Maybe it’s another ‘been there, done that’ sort of thing.
4 Of course, most of the time, I found myself wondering what is real and what is staged. People say the dumbest things when they are being videotaped. I felt a little bad for Ron Paul who is taken advantage of and led under false pretenses. I did like Harrison Ford’s response however. Watching the climactic ending at UFC, it seems obvious that Baron Cohen must have some pretty tight security in order to keep himself from being killed.
4 I understand that when looking at the modeling world and homosexuality, there might be some nudity, but Bruno was over the top. It was pornographic. It should get an X-rating for some of the shots. The swingers party crosses so many lines I can’t count them. It was mostly these times where I was embarrassed to be watching this film. Luckily, this is the last of the Da Ali G Show characters, so Baron Cohen doesn’t have to top himself. Thank goodness.

RECOMMENDATION
Wait for TBS
(You might appreciate
the censored version)

COMING SOON
Harry Potter 6