Bruno (2009)

O Masterpiece

O Excellent

O Good

O OK

O Mediocrity

X Avoid

Review by Jason Pyles / July 10, 2009

Not everyone knows what Sacha Baron Cohen’s films are like. Let’s just say they’re challenging to describe — even in general terms — in a family newspaper.

Those who appreciated his 2006 film, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” will probably love “Bruno” even more. For those who haven’t experienced Cohen’s work before, read on before buying your movie ticket.

The word “obscene” has never seemed so feeble. Cohen makes Judd Apatow’s raunchy productions seem timid. “Bruno” is comparable to Tom Green’s disgusting “Freddy Got Fingered” (2001).

Cohen plays Bruno, a 19-year-old homosexual man from Austria whose flamboyance both earned and lost him a job as the host of a fashion show called Funkyzeit. After getting ousted from Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Bruno moves to Los Angeles to become an “uber-famous celebrity,” a quest that fills the balance of the 83-minute film with his sordid attempts at notoriety.

Cohen must be admired for his unflinching commitment to his comedic art. An unfortunately unforgettable wrestling match during his “Borat” film situated his face in an unthinkable place. But gross-out humor is only part of Cohen’s gig: He is a master instigator and equal-opportunity offender who obviously aims to shock, antagonize and provoke as many viewers as possible.

Cohen’s filmmaking has made him no stranger to litigation. Much like the methods of the TV shows “Candid Camera,” and more recently, “Punk’d,” Cohen’s gimmick is to use his bizarre characters to elicit reactions from unsuspecting “victims.” Under such unusual circumstances, these regular, everyday non-actors respond to the comedian in surprising ways that land them in his films’ final cut — hence the humor and the lawsuits.

For both “Borat” and “Bruno,” some of the scenes are scripted with actors. The latter has cameos from surprisingly “big” celebrities who chose to participate willingly, as well as some who vehemently did not.

Though Cohen succeeds in amusing, shocking, disgusting and offending, I can’t recommend “Bruno” — even a little bit — despite its having several laugh-out-loud moments. This film is vile and somehow, paradoxically, shameful and shameless. “Bruno” is rated R for pervasive strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity and language. (Its original rating was NC-17, which it still deserves.)

Less than 30 minutes into the screening I attended, three 20-something guys vocally refused to watch any more and left the theater. Cohen no doubt would be pleased.

Directed by Larry Charles

Sacha Baron Cohen / Gustaf Hammarsten / Clifford Banagale

Comedy 83 min.

MPAA Rating: R (for pervasive strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity and language)