mraculeated The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.
Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.
ne Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
grantss Sacha Baron Cohen picks up where he left off with Borat, and started with Da Ali G Show. Outrageous over-the-top humour, a mixture of ambush interviews and genuine skits. It's often very hard to figure out who is in on the joke and who is being ambushed!Screamingly funny at times, but not as good as Borat. Having seen both Ali G series, the Ali G movie, Borat and now Bruno, and loved all of them, the shock value is wearing off. Though several scenes were fairly outrageous, Borat was more shocking. With the public becoming more desensitized to his style of comedy, Sacha Baron Cohen will have to change his modus operandi soon.
Python Hyena Bruno (2009): Dir: Larry Charles / Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten, Clifford Banagale, Paula Abdul, Michelle McLaren: Explicit and vulgar comedy about a flamboyant Austrian fashion celebrity who decides to seek fame in America. It opens well but structure is divided into numerous situations that play off as gross skits as oppose to further the story. Director Larry Charles and star Sacha Baron Cohen both collaborated on the superior Borat and are again aided by fine locations. The story structure is a near replica of Borat as the disoriented hero travels to unfamiliar land where his lifestyle is met with scorn. Cohen plays Bruno whose homosexuality betrays his judgement. In Australia he seemed on top of his game but in America he is at the mercy of his own ignorance. Gustaf Hammarsten plays his gay lover and personal assistant. He will remind viewers of Borat's companion only instead of naked wrestling in a hotel room, it is blatant sexual wrestling in front of the whole world. Clifford Banagale as Bruno's ex lover could have been broader. There are also numerous effective cameos most notably Paula Abdul whose appearance has her faced with a guy wheeled out with sushi covering his naked body. Michelle McLaren plays a dominatrix, and Gary Williams plays a spiritualist. This film mocks celebrity but it isn't for the squeamish. Score: 6 / 10
eric262003 Five years ago I was at the opening of the film "Bruno" having the time of my life laughing until I accidentally fell off your seat. As I was having the time of my life, a dozen patrons got up and left in anger and disgust. And I said to myself if these guys were appalled by the actions of Sacha Baron Cohen's controversial character Bruno, then I guess it's safe to say that he must have done his job right. I am led to believe that fans who come to see "Bruno" are purposely going for the sake of being shocked, humiliated, slandered and offended. In 2006 Cohen starred in the controversial film "Borat" people were very flabbergasted and expected the unexpected. In the film "Bruno", from the trailer, people were already outraged and went far as to file lawsuits and all the "Borat" fans were milking about it. And yet people just still continue to become amazed and yet offended at the same time.When I saw "Bruno" I not only laughed at every minute, but I also felt a huge sigh of relief. In a fabricated world where being politically correct is not optional which comes at the cost of a lack of creativity and originality, "Bruno" represents a film where someone has the gonads to step up, go all the way and create something new and refreshing and for that it truly has my approval. Following the legacy of its predecessor "Borat", "Bruno" tells the tale of a gay Austrian supermodel Bruno whose show was sadly cancelled. Without hesitation he takes his show to America in hopes to rectify his position to exceptional fame. His antics will shock you as he goes way beyond his expectations like pitching an idea for a reality show by turning his gay ways over to becoming super straight like Tom Cruise and John Travolta. He goes far by exploiting everyone from Republican politicians to rednecks who are protesting against homosexuals. "Borat" director Larry Charles has a similar format, but still very effective. Bruno invades into celebrity events and unravels the ugliness of both celebrities and celebrity wannabes alike. Whereas, "Borat" shocked people unexpectedly, "Bruno" has lost a bit of its steam and a bit of its originality, but it still succeeded to intrigue others while at the same time angered the film fanatics. It's puzzling flaw is that it is hard to determine which scenes were real and which ones were orchestrated. It may seem believable that congressman Ron Paul was likely exploited thanks to hilarious scene with Bruno, but it is hard to imagine that top stars like Paula Abdul and Harrison Ford were oblivious as to what they're about to get during their respected interviews. Even the ing characters like the overwhelmed L.A. agent was so deep it couldn't possibly be believable. With the overpowering of ambush journalism in America and with guys who like shock value to their movies like Michael Moore and "Jackass" to the "Trailer Park Guys", I thought "Bruno" overall was an in your face screwball comedy that had a taste of Stephen Colbert over "Candid Camera". The movie shows zero sympathy for any of its actions or reactions, even when it blatantly attacks both the gay and anti-gay community. The film was custom made for moderate film viewers who have a political frame of mind and who seem like they can still find time to laugh at their faults and at the same time someone else's faults. And it's made for people who are not appalled by raunchy sexual humour which is why this movie is rated R. Of course there are a myriad of deleted scenes from the movie that are left on eternally on the Hollywood table. Such scenes involving LaToya Jackson were cut down (maybe in the wake following the death of her brother Michael Jackson for fear of retribution). And then there was others like the bingo scene was dropped without warning.Sure this movie has been rated NC-17, it still lobbies to fall under an rating knowing that the surprises come at you and smack you in the face. I was very excited when I got the DVD, the commentaries are priceless and the deleted scenes were equally offensive as the movie itself. The extras may even go far as to usurp the film itself and that is not entirely a bad thing.So to summarize, I highly recommend you see "Bruno" and you will be shocked, angered and at the same time be mystified, all while your laughing your butts off which was really what this movie was intended on doing. Don't come crying to me if you get offended by the material, unless your laughing yourself to tears.
nbwritersinbox In this film, Cohen invites controversy but the comedy value that should arise isn't always apparent. Should he be mocking orthodox Jews by adapting their garments into a "gay" style? Probably not. He nearly got stoned for his efforts while filming in Jerusalem.Should he be turning the bitter conflict between Palestinians and Israelis into a comedy sideshow? I don't think so...I wasn't sure about some of the (obviously) "photoshopped" images of his "adopted son" OJ, either. That just felt like bad taste.We're left with another brave venture by Cohen, but not the glorious parody achieved with Borat. Intense homophobia and the desperation of stardom are exposed and ridiculed. I hope mainstream audiences will warm to Bruno. A level of subtle understanding will be required.
