Prior to its release, Bruno was marketed as a sort of sequel to Borat, and, in many ways, the movies are quite similar. In both films, Sacha Baron Cohen plays a crazy, stereotypical foreigner who travels to America with a weird sidekick, and both films derive their comedy from springing that crazy foreigner on unsuspecting victims, exposing the worst things about our society and making everyone uncomfortable.
Despite the two films’ similarities, however, Bruno just doesn’t measure up to Borat. Maybe it’s because audiences already know what to expect from this type of comedy. Borat was original and unexpected, and, at times, Bruno feels like a poor imitation. In fact, the “plot” of both films is remarkably similar. Both main characters are on a quest — Borat wants to marry Pamela Anderson, and Bruno wants to be a star — and both have a falling out with their quirky friend.
Sexytime
Perhaps familiarity isn’t the problem. Perhaps Bruno just isn’t that funny. The film relies far too heavily on sex jokes and often seems to be aiming for shock value more than humor. Full-frontal nudity and anal bleaching and swingers’ parties can only generate so many laughs before they start grossing the audience out.
Of course, Bruno’s antics are meant to expose people’s prejudices, and some of the vitriolic hatred toward homosexuality that he generates is truly shocking. However, the impact of those scenes is muted by the film’s portrayal of its central character. Throughout the film, especially in the opening sequence, Bruno’s homosexuality is portrayed as kinky and weird and played for laughs, leaving us to wonder is this movie is really making fun of homophobes or homosexuals.
Sacha is Still Funny
Despite its flaws, Bruno still includes a number of funny sequences, including a ruthless skewering of stage parents, a fish-out-of-water hunting trip and Bruno’s distracting turn as an extra on Medium. The best thing about Sacha Baron Cohen’s brand of comedy is the reactions that his characters draw from unsuspecting people, and those people do not disappoint, especially during a focus group for Bruno’s awful TV show.
Sacha Baron Cohen also deserves a lot of credit. His ability to remain in character is truly impressive, and he is not afraid to go to outrageous lengths in pursuit of comedy. In fact, there are several instances in Bruno when it seems that he was truly in danger, but he never wavers. Unfortunately, his guerilla comedy style was funnier in Borat.
