 and he doesn't look a thing like Borat |
| Review Date: July 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: lochnessa7, Half Hollow Hills, NY |
I have to see Bruno more than once, most people probably do too. That's because Bruno is one of those rare movies where you're laughing so hard at some parts you know you're missing the next funny thing. As gay, Austrian fashionista and celebrity-wannabe Bruno, Baron Cohen continues his jaw-droppingly crass and outrageous stealth comedy antics. Purportedly, Baron Cohen has been beaten up while in character, so it only seems fair that he makes his audience laugh hard enough to hurt.
Of course the usual Baron Cohen caveat is in order: yes, its offensive, yes, its gross, yes, there is a LOT of nudity, mostly male. If any of this is not your cup of tea, that's dandy, no hard feelings. If you don't mind the occasional sight of literally bouncing balls in the name of comedy, Bruno is pure gold.
Post Borat fame has probably necessitated that more of this movie be staged, with at least some of the people (a talk show host, the driver of an oncoming car) in on the joke. But scripted or natural- its wickedly funny. And enough of it is genuine- including Bruno's interview/sex tape with Ron Paul, parents of would-be baby stars volunteering their 12-month-olds to play Nazis, ex-gay ministers, straight-rally wrestling audiences and general bystanders to Bruno's public antics.
Bruno balances the line between social commentary and comedy like a model on a catwalk. As with Borat half the humor comes from people reactings (or not) to the character's outrageous behavior, and half from the eerily apt caricature Baron Cohen creates. Fame-hound Bruno is everything narcissitic, uninformed, vain and with the all-too-common undeserved sense of entitlement that makes up the worst of American pop culture. As with Borat, Bruno learns some life-lessons and grows as a person by the end of the movie- as Baron Cohen always seems to want to better his audience, even if he has to beat them over the head with a dildo to do it. |
Laughed so hard.... but not for the easily offended
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| Review Date: July 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: scot16897, Austin, Texas United States |
This movie is *clearly* for those not easily offended. It is shocking and hysterical, but I don't think I could allow my parents to go see it.
Sasha Baron Cohen's latest creation, Bruno, makes his way to America to become uber-famous any way he can. And he goes through lots of different attempts on his way. Acting, interviewing celebrities, guesting on talk shows, becoming straight, he tries many methods, each with it's painfully funny result. You'll love the Paula Abdul interview, particularly.
The interactions with people are wonderful, and you will be appalled at what some parents will do to get their children into show business. Just stunning.
There are a lot of shocking/uncomfortable funny moments (be prepared for gratuitous male nudity), and I am no sure how they will hold up for repeated viewings, but in a crowded theater, it was a scream. The ending is worth the buildup, and stick around for the closing song.
I laughed so hard that my face was hurting, and my wife was crying from laughing so hard. It takes a while to recover, but soooooo worth it!
NOT for the kids. |
Liberating Male Genitalia
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| Review Date: December 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Damon Devine, Los Angeles, CA United States |
For those of you who may be "different" or gay and have been hurt, intimidated or shunned by society, you will love this fun-filled jab at your tormentors! As a gay person, I admit to a sadistic thrill out of seeing every single uncomfortable straight person in the film, and those watching it. The hillbilly's, the conservatives, the testosterone-filled and religious nuts all get a taste of their own medicine in this 'Borat-as-a-gay' fun fest.
Some of the scenarios are screamingly funny (the 'channeling Milli Vanilli' scene comes to mind) and you really have to admire the fact that Sasha Baron Cohen is a straight man creating these outlandish situations. So much of it comes off the top of his head, and he has an amazing ability to stay in character.
If you are "offended by male nudity"...then get a life! I saw that phrase SO MANY times in the reviews on here! How many times have you been asked if you were offended by "female nudity"? How many hundreds of movies have you seen with breasts (and "other parts") displayed across the big screen, larger than two-car garages? Did we gasp? Did we run home and complain about how "offensive" it was? I doubt it. Bruno has a penis and we see it, big deal! Well...it DOES have a urethra that talks...but still. He's an unconventional fella...
Why so many Sarah Palin-type Americans chose to view this film anyway, is a mystery. Bruno is UNMISTAKABLY gay on the cover, and they knew he was played by the same guy who was Borat. What were they expecting, a Liberace concert? The truth? Borat was offensive and STRAIGHT and everyone loved it. Bruno is offensive and GAY. And that, apparently, is 'not allowed.'
I say, buy this film. Play it when you're feeling down and it will guarantee you lots of laughs. |
"I want to become the most famous Austrian superstar since Hitler!"-Bruno
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| Review Date: January 8, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Tommy Morais, New Brunswick, Canada |
After the movie Borat in 2006 Sacha Baron Cohen returned to the big screen in 2009 with another of his characters, gay Austrian (you read that right, it's not Australian) Bruno. 19 years old Bruno is known for hosting what is said to be the most famous German speaking television show outside of Germany "Funkyzeit mit Bruno", a show about fashion and for his flamboyant style. Bruno is doing well in the world of fashion but when he gets fired, his assistant leaves him and his lover dumps him he decides to leave for America in order to become famous by any means.When he comes to America Bruno tries a talent agency to get to stare in a big Hollywood movie and become famous, he unsuccessfully tries to starts a new television show, he does an interview, interviews people and he even tries to become straight amongst other things. He will do anything to get famous and is not ashamed of it which will end up in hilarious situations . Bruno to me was really funny, there were some moments were I laughed, others were I was in shock and others in which I didn't quite know what to think which I think was Baron Cohen's goal with this movie. There is a lot of nudity and other shocking things in this movie so be aware it's not for children and not everyone will like it because of it. Bruno goes far with homosexuality and if you are not comfortable with this then Bruno may not be for you. I have no problem with it at all and therefore enjoyed the movie and thought the character was great.
You may not like what Baron Cohen does but you can't deny his ability to re-invent himself, from his Ali-G character to Borat and others and keep what he does controversial, fresh and interesting . Bruno stands on its own and is not a Borat clone, there are a few similarities but the two are very different while retaining the same style of humor Baron Cohen is known for. If you are easily offended don't watch this, it's a different kind of humor that not everyone can appreciate. When it comes to Bruno it's pretty simple you will either love it or hate it. The rating here on amazon may prove otherwise but it's because of the mix of very positive and very negative reviews, there is hardly any middle ground.
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I plea myself guilty, I laughed. Most of the time
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| Review Date: December 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Dent, Minas Anor, GD |
I laughed hard and loud and so did my wife but I'm glad the kids weren't around while we were watching.
Those who aren't bothered by very explicit male frontal nudity, simulated homosexual intercourse, swingers filmed in the act, demonstrations of some basic hetero positions, Paula Abdul sitting on a Mexican, professional wrestling, Harrison Ford cussing, the Middle East peace process or a few minutes of Richard Bey's show are likely to fully enjoy Bruno. I laughed most of the time even at some of the more over the top situations - because the kids weren't around.
The ONE scene I did NOT appreciate was Bruno's attempt at seducing Ron Paul - a most decent, pure at heart, intelligent man. I will probably skip over it if I ever watch Bruno again and I really don't understand why it was included because RP maintains his dignity all throughout.
It would be hard to 'recommend' Bruno. I found at least one scene 'not funny' (see above), most of the movie tasteless but, at the same time, a lot of it was insanely funny - the kind of 'funny' you can't stop yourself from laughing out loud while feeling a little guilty at the same time. But such is the talent of Sacha Cohen.
On the DVD edition, besides the 82 minute movie cut, you get 40 (forty) minutes of deleted scenes, some of them as insanely funny as the scenes that made it into the movie plus 'extended' scenes, an interview with one of Bruno's victims and so on.
Coming back to 'recommending' Bruno or not... renting it may be the more prudent course of action. I bought it myself and I will keep my copy. The movie gets its 4 stars for Cohen's enormous talent - one star is lost for some really unnecessary and sometimes bordering on cruelty excesses. |
Perhaps the funniest and saddest movie to take on the gay issue yet
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| Review Date: December 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Neil Kambeaze, Eugene, OR |
I rented Bruno from NetFlix with mixed feelings. I had seen Cohen's other works, including Borat and the Ali G Show, both of which I found deceptively intelligent and political. His ability to make his characters' stupidity an incisive mirror which he holds up to society is mind-boggling. With Borat, I thought this form of comedy had reached it's highest point. I was wrong. Bruno goes further. Some are offended by the gratuitous male nudity. Deal with it. If looking at penises makes you deeply uncomfortable, you probably have issues that run deeper than Bruno. It's true that a lot of the content of the movie revolves around Cohen using his flamboyantly gay character Bruno to make conservative anti-gay types uncomfortable. This can be uncomfortable for the viewer as well, but with the ultimate pay-off of revealing America's deep-seated homophobia and questioning it.
SPOILER WARNING
The film's finale gathers a large number of red-neck cage-fight enthusiasts in an arena for an event hosted by "Straight Dave", Bruno's straight alter-ego. When they get a touching (if gratuitously gay) scene of male-male reconciliation and love, the fans go crazy with disgust. Some of the audience leave, some yell violent hate slogans, some throw drinks at Bruno and his lover. Several of the fans looks shocked and betrayed, several of them comically wearing "Straight Dave" T-shirts they'd gotten for the event. I even saw a few in the crowd who looked like they understood the point that Cohen was making. People who were suddenly more disgusted by the gross display of homophobic violence on the part of the fans than the homosexual love that was taking place within the cage.
While his methods may be questionable, I feel America is indebted to Cohen for his bravery, and that he is one of the single largest contributors to intelligent social commentary through comedy today. |
park your sensibilities at the door for once
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| Review Date: July 30, 2009 |
| Reviewer: movie watcher, |
| quite simply, the funniest movie ever. DO NOT TAKE THE KIDS UNLESS YOU WANT TO SPEND DINNER AT MCDONALD'S EXPLAINING WHY THE ASIAN MAN HAD A CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE IN HIS BUTT. |
"A bear ate all of my clothes..."
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| Review Date: January 18, 2010 |
| Reviewer: One-Line Film Reviews, Easton, MD |
The Bottom Line:
Bruno isn't quite as funny as Borat but Cohen certainly gives it a try, mixing scripted sequences with 'Candid Camera" style footage to showcase stage mothers at their worst, Paula Abdul as a "humanitarian," and homophobia across the nation; I understand why people didn't like the film, but I found it fearless and very funny.
3/4 |
Unspeakably Stunning
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| Review Date: January 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: M, I wait behind the wall, gnawing away at your reality |
I just finished watching this movie after renting it... and I am stunned. I truly am. I have seen things that I have never seen in a movie-"documentary" as Bruno seeks to draw reactions from people. He is so freaking provocative in his dress, manner, actions, and simply goes over the line. And over. And over. And over...
Sacha has a lot of nerve - and balls - to pull this off. Seriously. It's nothing I would ever do for myself, and I am impressed by the guts it took to create this film with such an polarizing character who led himself into some rather admittedly dangerous situations. Is he a genius, or is he just a huge, huge, jack@$$? I suppose this is more of a subjective matter, because as you can see from the reviews, the movie is generally polarizing. I will admit, I laughed at many parts of the film even as most of the film simply stunned me speechless at times. My roommate and I would stare in shocked silence at a few of the parts. This is most definitely not a film for the easily offended, i guarantee you. Otherwise, enjoy the mad antics of Bruno as he prances around. |
Horrendously Funny
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| Review Date: December 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. J. Smith, Illinois |
So the critics and public had the long knives out for Cohen on this one, and it's been a bloody mess ever since. Regardless, the movie is outrageously funny, and I had to pause it several times because I was laughing so hard I couldn't watch the screen. Are there bits that don't work that well? Yup. Does it matter? Nope. What he manages to pack into this insane road show is so multi-faceted, fearless to the point of insanity (don't even ask about Bruno's adventures in the Middle East), and demented, you won't believe your eyes. What's shocking is how the staged scenes with Bruno's assistant (and would be lover) Ludtz are so involving and, when Bruno rejects him, so unexpectedly serious and affecting. Cohen is an authentic talent, but the combined forces of industry jealously and homophobia torpedoed this picture at the box office.
*
I just read some of the * reviews, and they're unintentionally hilarious echoes of a scene in the movie where Bruno puts together the worst pilot in the history of television and then goes face to face with the focus group that hated it. American Puritanism is alive and well and silly. |
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