Bruno - A Review
Sacha Baron Cohen's Latest Comic Creation
Following the success of Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Brüno is the latest of Sacha Baron Cohen’s alter egos to be given the big screen treatment.
Background of Brüno
The flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista first appeared as a character in Da Ali G Show. He works as a journalist for an Austrian television station, ÖJRF, and conducts interviews, in which he discusses the pressing issues of society such as celebrity, fashion and sexuality.
Interest in the movie was heightened by Brüno’s infamous appearance at the MTV Awards, where, dressed as an angel, he was lowered upside-down onto the lap of rapper Eminem. Later, it was claimed that the prank had been pre-planned. Whether Eminem was in on the joke or not, the publicity created by the stunt is bound to have a positive impact at the box office.
Brüno: The Movie
Brüno follows the fashion reporter as he is fired from Austrian television show, Funkzeit, and attempts to become famous in the United States. Brüno subsequently employs all the tricks of celebrity, including making a sex tape and adopting an African baby. In addition, he travels around the U.S. exposing prejudice and homophobia as he goes. The movie is a ‘mockumentary’ style very similar to Borat and fans of the awkward journalist from Kazakhstan will almost certainly enjoy Brüno.
At just shy of ninety minutes, Brüno moves at a good steady pace. The movie contains explicit sexual content and the humour can be extremely crude at times, but it is perhaps erroneous to expect anything less from Sacha Baron Cohen’s particular brand of comedy. Nevertheless, there is an equal measure of hilarity and cringing to be had.
One of the main disappointments of the film is the rather obviously staged sequences. Much of the appeal of Baron Cohen’s work lies in spontaneity and the contrived jokes simply do not have the same impact. However, it is clear that as Baron Cohen becomes more famous it is increasingly difficult for him to go undercover. Ironically, he is now part of that world of celebrity, which the film is lampooning.
On the other hand, the sequences that are spontaneous are wonderfully witty. Many of the scenes also required a large amount of bravery and audacity on the part of Sacha Baron Cohen. On several occasions, he appears to have exposed himself to potential violence and danger all in the name of satire.
Lovers of Baron Cohen’s other work can expect more of the same. However, they may find Brüno distinctly less likeable than the well-meaning, but politically incorrect Borat. Brüno is certainly not going to appeal to all tastes. Nevertheless, Baron Cohen is on form with his quick wit and improvisational skills.
Brüno is released by Universal Pictures. It is rated R in the U.S., and 18 in the U.K., for strong language, nudity and sexual content.
Bruno: Movie Poster
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