Brüno Reviews

I remember it very well, at the time, I was going to the movies and I was actually going to see ‘State of Play’ (a movie which turned to be actually rather underwhelming as well) but when I got to the movie theater, they told me there was a mistake in their program and ‘State of Play’ wasn’t running at all at this location. Eventually, I checked what was available at the time and I ended up watching ‘Bruno’ instead. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a disappointment,  probably even the most disappointing movie I have seen which was released in 2009. I mean, I really loved 'Borat', much more than I expected so this time, I had some rather high expectations. Unfortunately, this flick never reached  the level of 'Borat' ... Indeed, there were definitely some funny scenes and the movie had some good sharp moments but the main issue in my opinion was that the lead character was just really obnoxious and it made the whole movie just painful to watch. Furthermore, whereas underneath its vulgarity, I thought that 'Borat' was actually pretty deep, this flick was just completely shallow. Still, it is far from being a bad movie and it is worth a look, especially if you are interested in Sacha Baron Cohen's work.

In this case, using terms like "extremely outrageous" and "hilariously offensive" seems unnecessary, since everyone who's even slightly familiar with Borat should know that that's what they're in for with Sacha Baron Cohen's latest, um, outing. While there are differences in terms of why each of the two films are mostly successful comedies, the approach taken by Bruno is identical to the one taken by the former film: utilize truly over-the-top, "I can't believe he just did that!" situations to make satirical statements about the general close-mindedness that plagues America.

The trailers are leading people to believe that Bruno's satirical focus is strictly on homophobia, when in fact, that's only half of it. This film also has a lot to say about people's obsession with becoming famous and about the senseless things that make the public idolize certain celebrities. There's a ghastly moment in the film in which the title character interacts with this former reality TV star who behaves as if she works for one of those TMZ-type shows that scrutinize celebrities' lives, and the things that are said here are abominable. Another scene features an unwitting Paula Abdul talking about her love for humanitarian work... while sitting on someone. Sure, she leaves quickly enough, but the fact that she even agreed to SIT on the guy is ridiculous. Sadly, both of these moments seem to have been unscripted. There are other things that happen in the film that I simply can't believe were honest statements from people; the most notable of these involves an audition of sorts that Bruno holds for children, and it shows parents supposedly trying as hard as they can to have their kid be able to get a part. If you pay attention to the scene, and to the cuts between the point at which Bruno asks a question and when the parent answers it, it really does look like editing did come into play. At least I hope it did, or else the film can be used by Social Services as hard evidence against several parents.

One of the moments at which I probably laughed the hardest involves Bruno's conversation with two total bimbos, during which they talk about possibilities of which type of charity to become involved with. The biggest snort/LOL for me came when they mention the "Save Darfur" effort (and their inability to pronounce it is hilarious enough by itself), and their belief that Darfur is located in Iraq just makes everything even more hysterical-yet-horrible. This is an instance in which Sacha Baron Cohen's wit and intelligence come into play, because he essentially prompts them into it, by saying "So, is that, like, near Iraq?" I promise that's as far as I'll go in spoiling anything; I just had to reveal what made me laugh the hardest.

I believe that, in general, Borat was more effective at keeping a steady tempo of laughs. Despite being a collection of skits, Borat felt like it had a more fluid storyline, whereas Bruno often feels like not much more than a mere collection of skits, funny as they are. The former film also benefits from having less instances that felt staged. Now, I gave Borat a 6, and I'm giving the same rating to Bruno, and this is because there are TWO strong points that Bruno has over Borat that make things sort of balance out, thus making both films fall into the same rating.

First of all, while it's not all that easy to make me sick, I have to admit that I found the infamous hotel room scene in Borat to be almost unendurably disgusting, nearly ruining an otherwise brilliant comedy; Bruno benefits from not having a scene that goes quite that far in terms of sexually repulsive material. There is a sequence at a swingers' party in which the black squares are, once again, necessary to cover up things that would garner the film an NC-17 rating, but in this case, the things that are hidden from us are "normal" things that you'd see happen on a porn video or whatever, rather than something out of a "Fat Hairy Men" fetish site.

Secondly, there is a sequence in Bruno that I suppose you could call the film's climax, and it takes place at a wrestling arena in Arkansas. This sequence is somewhat akin to the instance in Borat when he goes to a rodeo and sings the American national anthem and changes the words... but it is... ten times more outrageous... and ten times more brilliant. The sequence is just fantastically mounted, and I'm extremely glad that they saved it for the latter part of the film. It gets the movie's main ideas across perfectly, and it makes you feel incredibly amazed at what a risk-taker Sacha Baron Cohen (and his sidekick of sorts) is. The sequence is executed perfectly and the fact that Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" plays during it makes it that much more brilliant. Even if, while watching Bruno, you feel like the film is not quite as funny as you expected it to be, don't walk out - this part is well worth waiting for.

Many will (once again) hail Cohen's cinematic effort as the best comedy of the year. While my preference in that category is still I Love You Man, that's more as a result of my taste in comedies (which is why I can't wait for the release of Funny People in a few weeks). Still, there's no doubt that Bruno is totally audacious, frequently perceptive and often very funny. It goes without saying that you're well-advised to stay away from it if you're easily offended, but everyone else will more than likely enjoy the Austrian fashionista's ventures, or "wentures," as he would say.

Oh God! This film was so hilarious!!! This film cracked me up and I couldn't stop laughing. I was anticipating this film a lot because I absolutely love Borat. It is a very embarassing film to watch with colleagues because of how crude it is. Bruno is a film that can offend almost everybody. Not only was I laughing with laughter because of how funny it was but also of embarassment.


Sacha Baron Cohen is an absolutely brilliant actor who is talented and very funny! Bruno is my favourite character that he has done so far. When watching Sacha playing a gay, you won't even believe that Sacha is straight. Bruno is a gay Austrian whos ambition is to become famous in America but there's one problem: his sexuality. He always ends up doing something that is either really embarassing or really crude. He rips off people who dress like that who are gay.


Larry Charles is a good director of both Borat and Bruno who makes the audience feel like we are taking Bruno's journey as well. Larry Charles is a director that wants us to believe all of the things that go on within the film. The script is absolutely brilliant! It is just like in Borat: an original screenplay that was awesome for the comedy within it. Most comedy scripts aren't very good but the Bruno script is awesome!


Bruno is better than Borat in my opinion. Bruno is the crudest film that I have ever seen. Bruno is probably the funniest film of 2009. This is my favourite Sacha Baron Cohen film. Bruno is a film that I don't think should be watched with parents or siblings. Watch with friends or by yourself! Bruno is the funniest film I have seen in ages.

''I am going to be the biggest Austrian celebrity since Hitler.''

Flamboyant Austrian fashionista Brüno takes his show to America.

Sacha Baron Cohen: Brüno

Firstly to begin with, I must say I praised Cohen's Borat at uncovering the true underbelly of America, it is extremely hard to do the same here because of the obvious shock value of what he's playing out has been done before. Bruno ends up being a recycling project on speed, the time certainly flies that's for sure.
Much like its predecessor, Brüno, begins in his native country to showcase the reasons behind his journey to the USA. After being shunned from the fashion community in Austria he decides to do what is the next logical step—live in LA and become a celebrity. It isn't as easy as he expected, so after a failed try at acting and a missed opportunity to be a talk show host, he heads to the Middle East to weigh in on peacekeeping attempts. A Kenyan child later, Brüno finds himself back in America, now realizing that to be famous he must be straight.

You will once again be surprised at some of the people he dupes into believing he is a real person, (a bewildered Ron Paul), as well as not so shocked, (Paula Abdul anyone? How great is it watching her talk about humanitarianism while sitting on a Mexican acting like a chair?). Uncomfortable is an understatement when it comes to describing a viewing session of this film because you'd be comatose not to be even the slightest bit squeamish. Cohen is fearless in his activities and unfaltering in his accent—equal parts effeminate and German, (is there a difference?). To go into the Middle East and recruit former leaders of both Israel and Palestine to sing to and have hold hands is one thing, but to go to a current terrorist group leader and call Osama Bin Laden a "dirty wizard/homeless Santa Claus" and not expect to get backlash is a completely different thing. As for going hunting with three burly Southerners and entering their tents naked … well that's just insane...albeit, it takes balls.
Everyone is made a joke out of in this adventure, this Brüno, much like Borat achieved...Jews, Muslims, Gays, Nazis, celebrities, charities, blacks, whites, religion and the list goes on. It all depends totally, on your sense of humour.

''You're king Osama looks like a kind of dirty wizard, or a homeless Santa!''

I liked the jokes mostly, even if they were horrendously insensitive. Calling Autism funny, Africa a country, does elicit knee-jerk laughs, which turn into feelings of remorse before ultimately realizing that, yes, it was bad yet compellingly humourous. Cohen goes way too far in many instances: a bike-powered dildo, talking penis, and asking a swinger, in the act of sex with someone else, to look into his eyes are just a few. For this reason, I cannot recommend the film to anyone … seriously, anyone. You never truly know how much someone can take and a film like Brüno not only tests that boundary but also surpasses it over and over again.

What is by far the most incomprehensible thing, however, is the candid view on America that has been captured. It is not wrong to call Cohen a genius in his methods to manipulate people into thinking they are safe and among kindred spirits in moral ambiguity. Watching parents virtually sell their souls and children's bodies for a quick cash grab is unbelievable. Not only do these adults willingly say yes to any question Brüno asks them, "Is your child okay with being photographed on a crucifix? How is your child with dead animals? Does your child like lit phosphorus?" but they oftentimes pause, think about what has been posed, and still agree. Some people will do anything to become famous, hell some people will do anything to tehir children to make them famous. And then there are the priests who do Holy work, by converting gays into heterosexuals. The first pastor preaches what to do and not, but it is the second that astonishes with what he says. Speaking as "we" he basically admits to how he is truly GAY, but has been living the lie by tolerating women, even though they are so uninspiring and annoying to him. The worst part of it all is that the people Cohen attacks are real.

The shock value dissipates as the film goes on and unfortunately wasn't necessarily high to begin with. Television being inundated with reality garbage and exposing us to the morons out there we have generally been shielded from has desensitized us. Even watching Borat has desensitized us because the fresh originality has long since vanished. But, while the film may not hold up as an entity unto itself, the questions it raises, the truth we want to so desperately believe doesn't exist, come through with crystal clear clarity. Sacha Baron Cohen knows our secrets and exposes them. His vehicle for such truths may not be as conventional or enjoyable as some may want, but the message is there nonetheless.

''We have chosen your baby to be dressed as a Nazi Officer, pushing a wheelbarrow, with a Jewish baby, into an oven!''

"Vassup?! I'm Brüno!"

A full frontal (excuse the pun) cinematic assault on homophobia and celebrity culture, Brüno gives Sacha Baron Cohen the opportunity to bring another of his misfit characters to the big screen in this follow-up to the hugely successful Borat. After achieving worldwide notoriety with Borat, it'd seem impossible for Cohen to anonymously deceive people with his provocative candid-camera antics once again. But lo and behold - the devilish actor has pulled it off thanks to a fresh new guise, and has found a new group of unsuspecting people to exploit for laughs. Cohen, who seems to have a pathological hate for America, has again proved that the US is indeed home to the dumbest, most screwed-up people on the planet. Brüno is a worthy successor to Borat - it employs a similar tactic of exploiting the idiocy, ignorance, and prejudice present in American society as a form of satire and social commentary while offering scripted comedy and mockumentary-style gags. But that's its only real weaknesses - Borat was so fresh and bizarrely unprecedented, while Brüno feels like more of the same.

As expected, plot is at a minimum as this is just a loosely connected chain of skits that allow the filmmakers to pierce something with their satirical knife (and turn the blade in the wound). The title character, Brüno (Cohen), is a homosexual Austrian fashion reporter whose television show (Funkyzeit) has established him as an icon in fashion circles. But a catastrophic incident at a fashion show leads to Brüno becoming fired, which ruins his reputation. Accompanied only by devoted assistant Lutz (Hammaresten), Brüno travels to America with plans to become "the biggest Austrian superstar since Hitler." The exiled fashionista apes the headline-grabbing antics of stars such as Angelina Jolie and Madonna in his single-minded pursuit for fame.

Brüno doesn't contain a rigid structure - it merely establishes a sense of purpose for our Austrian hero to go fourth and spread his unique brand of cheer. Using the central character's homosexuality as the bayonet on the film's rifle of satire, Brüno is more concerned with provoking violent responses through offensive material than trying to stitch together a coherent feature film. The film eventually sheds all dramatic pretences in order to run free in the fields of Cohen's disconcerting imagination, placing the character in interesting situations of conflict to capture the priceless reactions of unwitting victims. Brüno doesn't just cross the line...it crosses the line, laughs at the line, makes a new line, crosses that line, and then rapes the new line. If the nude wrestling sequence in Borat was too much for you...well, you ain't seen nothing yet.

While the laughs aren't as constant as one would anticipate, Brüno does deliver comedy in spades (as long as you're not easily offended). The feature fails to break new ground for Cohen and his comic impulses, but it certainly gives him welcome room to play. Borat was hardly restrained or in good taste when it came to sexual gags, but the seriously questionable taste of Brüno makes its predecessor seem like a morality play in comparison. Brüno was initially slapped with an NC-17 rating by the MPAA before Cohen removed several minutes in order to acquire an R rating for its theatrical release. But what remains is still incredibly hardcore and disgustingly explicit. Its rating is deserved!

When it comes to the unscripted skits, Sacha Baron Cohen has two primary targets - homophobia and celebrity culture - and he ain't shy about attacking either of them. The film is ripe with excessive homosexual stereotypes, with much of the humour derived from the clueless bystanders' reactions to the flamboyant Brüno.

The novelty factor of Brüno is lessened because the style is no longer fresh. It doesn't help that the film rehashes the basic plot of Borat: a foreign TV personality and his loyal sidekick depart from their homeland and embark upon a quest, along the way exposing the prejudices of the unsuspecting people they encounter. Unfortunately, too, Brüno feels far more manufactured. While the roughness around the edges of the video and audio make everything seem real, it's difficult to subdue the suspicion that some of the victims were primed to perform. In the end, Brüno isn't funny enough either; the juicy belly laughs are few and far between. Cohen usually forces gags instead of allowing the humour to emerge organically.

Sacha Baron Cohen's performance as the homosexual Austrian is expectedly terrific. Like Borat, the man hides behind an unrecognisable screen persona and immerses himself into the role 100%. Cohen is clearly prepared to do an array of preposterous things for the sake of amusing footage. The entire film is just a game of chicken that's played to see how far Sacha Baron Cohen will go to annoy people and get laughs. If the man has limits, none are in evidence. Cohen may have many things - a wife, money, fame and success - but shame is a virtue he doesn't possess.

Look out for cameos from countless celebrities as well, including Harrison Ford (the funniest ten seconds of the movie), Paula Abdul and Ron Paul. During the closing credits, Brüno also records a charity song with such celebrities as Bono, Elton John, Snoop Dog and Sting.

In the long run, Brüno achieves its goal - it provides a social commentary using guerrilla tactics, and it's quite funny. It's narratively structured exactly like its predecessor and it treads similar satirical ground, but it's still enjoyable. Sacha Baron Cohen may be a one trick pony, but he knows how to give an audience (*ahem*) a good ride. Just like Borat, some will praise this film a masterpiece of its genre while others will demonise it as unfunny, offensive pornographic excess. If you're part of the latter camp, I suggest you lighten up.

6.9/10

Sacha Baron Cohen returns to complete his personality films in Bruno the third film based on Da Ali G show(the orgin of Cohen's characters which was on HBO for a whopping two seasons). With the first film being ALi G Indahouse, the second the highly controversial Borat-cultural Learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazahkhstan. Bruno who is just as crazy as Cohen's other characters and is an Austrian gay model who screws up on his walk on the stage. Then resorts to coming to Los Angeles to become a famous movie star. Bruno is a very funny film , although it is a required taste in comedy. The poster for Bruno says that Borat was so 2006 which makes us think it will be better. however, Bruno doesn't quite top Borat nor do I think it had any intentions of doing so. Bruno is filled with plenty of misadventures and just outright sick(meaning disgusting or did i really need to see that )scenes Fans of Da Ali G show will enjoy Bruno and will find it worth their every bit of ten dollars.

Wow. After seeing this movie i had to take a shower. Not only did it have as many (if not more) laughs as Previous film Borat; but it contained some disturbing scenes that left me asking "They can show that?" Starring Sacha Baron Cohen as Bruno, the uber famous Austrian trying to make a name for himself in the US of A. He tries every single way possibly thought of to get famous; including attempts at a sex tape, trading an African child for an ipod and showing him off as an acessory, even trying to get kidnapped. Watching Cohen set up situations which are extremley uncomfortable for people unaware they are being filmed may seem like a bad excuse for a TV show, but there's something about him that has you in tears from laughter as that certain segment ends. I'm sure there are many on the differnet sides about if this is actually humourus or just stupid and i for sure am on the side of the people laughing and enjoying themselves... FOR SURE.

Bruno: This baby is a total Dick Magnet.