MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Bruno Rated R

Directed by Larry Charles.  Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten.



Photo ©Universal Pictures
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

Ten years or so ago, the British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen created the HBO comedy series “Da Ali G Show” in which he took on three different persona: Ali G, the clueless wannabe hip wanksta; Borat, the racist and clueless reporter from Kazakhstan; and Bruno, the Austrian fashionista. 

Cohen had a big hit in 2006 with the mockumentary Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan in which Borat confronted and revealed some of our country’s prejudices.  Borat was not always in good taste, but it had a Swiftian edge to its satire; after laughing, you found yourself thinking. 

Bruno is, unfortunately, what happens when unfettered creative freedom takes the place of true creativity.  Instead of keeping the fashion-based popular culture spoofing that made Bruno appealing on the TV show, Cohen has Bruno leaving the fashion world behind and coming to America to be a celebrity.  As Bruno encounters everyone from Paula Abdul to good ol’ boy hunters to conservative evangelists (with a trip to the Middle East thrown in for good measure), he also bumps up against some strong anti-gay prejudice. 

Well, I think the intention of this film was to shine a light on our country’s homophobia.  Unfortunately, Cohen’s Bruno is now an outspoken sexual predator with some kinky ideas.  As Bruno interacts with some real celebrities (and, with many fabricated “real life” scenes), most of them appear to be quite patient and tolerant of Bruno’s sexual orientation…and so Cohen pushes the envelope until he can find something to offend them! 

When Bruno makes an appearance on Dallas’ The Richard Bey Show, it is not his homosexuality that gets a rise out of the mostly black audience, but his blatant racism.  When Bruno goes on a hunting party, the guys are uncomfortable but agreeable…so he decides to try to talk his way into a sexual liaison.  

Bruno ends up being crude and rude and terminally unfunny.  In its misguided efforts to shine a satirical light on homophobia, it perpetuates the worst negative stereotypes of the GLBT community.  Stay away from this one.

Pitchfork Rating:
No halos.
Five pitchforks (If it will offend, it’s in here: crude language, full frontal nudity, depictions of sex acts, ethnic and racial slurs, and a gay character that is consistently irritating.)

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