Carrying the tagline 'Borat was so 2006,' Universal's highly publicized release Bruno begs to be compared to Sacha Baron Cohen's breakout film role as foreign documentary maker, Borat of Kazakhstan. So, in keeping with their wishes, I am pleased to say that compared to the earlier hit, Bruno is more awkward, grotesque, rude, humiliating and offensive. And while I left the theater taken aback by what I had just witnessed in the form of homosexual fashion expert Bruno, I quickly realized that though I was highly offended, I couldn't help but laugh at the uncomfortable events that took shape.
It is quite clear that Bruno is in no way better than Borat, and for that I was somewhat disappointed. I wanted to put the blame on the lead characters; however, the fault should be placed on the practical jokes. Sure the one liners are carefully constructed and perfectly delivered, not to mention the hysterical situations that arise from Bruno's obsession with being famous; but the film spends too much time trying to one-up its predecessor, and by the hour mark, I couldn't wait for the credits to role.
There just comes a point when the jokes are so cruel and far-fetched, that they simply aren't funny anymore. Take for instance the swinger's party. It is a high point in the film as some of the best moments arise from Bruno's encounter with a group of sex-loving men and women. However, when the camera reveals them all doing the deed, and our lead homosexual getting whipped by an unknowing woman, things turn from funny to vicious and overly offensive.
Then, at the beginning of the film, there are great moments, one of which involves 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul. Innocently attending an interview set up by her publicist, Abdul enters the room expecting a professional style encounter. However, a lone question about her humanitarian work and some unusual furniture allows for the room's tension to become razor thin within a matter of seconds. The scene is one of the highlights in the film, and plays within the bounds needed for mass appeal; unfortunately, in the end, it proved to be a rare occurrence.
By credits end, Bruno proves to be a film that will appeal to a very distinct population. If you aren't into crude and malicious behavior, find yourself easily offended or hate being put into awkward positions, this film is not for you. However, if you do enjoy the unexpected, and bask in all the greatness that is Sacha Baron Cohen, then you just might have a winner with this Austria fashion guru. You will undoubtfully be caught off guard on more than one occasion, but that is part of the experience. Just don't go in expecting anything and you should leave feeling awkward and violated, but will have laughed quite a bit as well.
