Bruno

[AfRoMaN36]

Okay, before I go on let it be known that I am a fan of Sacha Baron. I loved the Ali G show and although I didn't see the Ali G movie, I LOVED Borat. One of my all time favorite films as a matter of fact.

Now, all this aside, let me explain to you in full detail why I absolutely loathed Bruno. Why this was the first movie I ever walked out on and why you should skip this horrible abortion of a movie. I'm sorry... saying abortion isn't right... as it's insulting to abortions. It's worse than that. Picture watching your mother being killed for two straight hours. That better?

All funny jokes in the movie appeared on the commercial. Let's get that out of the way. So when you see it in the theaters they aren't as funny. And while you're expecting gay jokes in a movie about an over the top gay man, by the first 5 minutes, you're already thinking they overdid it. I mean in the first five minutes you already see Brunos testicles being sucked up by a vacuum. But that's nothing compared to the shot of his bare penis talking to the camera.

This wasn't rated NC 17?

Borat didn't do this. Well it did resort to gross out humor for one scene where he was wrestling naked with his assistant at a hotel. But other than a glimpse of testicles that's only used to sell a joke, you don't see anything. And it was funny because it was unexpected. Picture that scene for an entire movie. That's Bruno. It beats one joke to the ground and it loses it's effect quickly. In Borat you laughed as he called a woman's rights leader "toots" and "sweetie." because he was a silly but likable foreigner who managed to get away with a bunch of nonsense because he simply didn't know better. With Bruno, he doesn't have that excuse and you simply feel embarrassed for the people he tries to make fools of. In Borat he successfully exposes the ignorance of politicians and citizens alike by simply playing dumb. In Bruno he simply makes people hate gays by acting as every negative stereotype for a gay person one could act like. And that is the absolute worst thing he could do. I'm not gay and I was offended for them.

All that aside, it isn't a satire. If it is I don't get who he's satirizing. This movies prequel was brilliantly clever this one was just one gross out joke to the next. And no, I do not have a weak stomach. I tried to like this movie. But gross out humor without the humor is just gross. I wasn't alone either as I've heard how loud theaters can get and this one was dead. Fortunately, I left before the friend I was with threw up. We exchanged them to see Transformers 2 (Great movie! Second time I saw it and still enjoyed it better than this.) I'm just lucky she was just a friend and not a date. Or I'd doubt I'd get a second date... or even a kiss on the cheek at the door.

In short, I tried to like this movie, but it just wasn't funny. It was gay porn in a lame Austrian accent , spitting out bad dialogue and shock jokes that come out as more offensive than funny. Skip this movie. Do yourself a favor. I try to like every movie I see and I often find something I like, even in generally bad movies... but this was the worst movie I had ever seen.

WOW... now that I got that out of my system. Post your thoughts. If you saw it, did you like it?

[praguepride]

I can't believe you haven't seen "Ali G in Da House"

That movie is epic on a legendary scale.

[BurningHamster]

Yeah I'll rant ...

I saw Bruno a couple days ago and thought it was an okay film and had some funny scenes in it for people who don't mind shock humour or just plain seeing people get messed with. I do agree with your criticisms to a degree Afroman, I mean I expected it to be gay as hell .... but it did seem to go a little far and run some of that stuff into the ground.

I think one of the major problems is that Bruno was too out there and not as likable as Borat. Borat could get away with things because he acted ignorant but largely like a nice enough guy. The uncertainty of the people dealing with Borat as to how they should respond to him is what worked in that film, Bruno missed the mark on that one by just being too stereotypical and a little too obvious at times. Also I think sometimes he was just trying to set up a few rednecks and fairly uneducated people to look stupid but didn't quite pull it off.

One thing I think was missing was getting to see Bruno interact with a few real gay people (if there are any who were unaware of his identity) just to see how they would react to him and his ridiculous stereotypes.

I don't know, I don't think I hated it to the same extent Afroman did but I am glad I didn't take a date to it. The cinema I was in was made up mostly of film students who were there for a fundraiser and most of whom had a few drinks beforehand so the atmosphere was pretty good. There was a fair amount of laughter in the cinema, and for one scene (can't remember which one, but I didn't find it funny) the gay contingent who were all sitting together (with the fat chicks) seemed to laugh hysterically so I don't know, at least they got one laugh out of it I guess .... not sure if they were offended by any of the stereotypes. I know a few of the Asian dudes who tend to be a bit conservative found the film pretty tasteless though and didn't really enjoy it.

That said, I thought it was an alright movie. Maybe a 6 out of 10, worth a look if you like that kind of humour but if you aren't into the gross out or shock value stuff then it's not for you.

[alden]

I really wanted to see bruno........I LOVED borat.......i thought it was such a great movie for what it was. I was hoping bruno was going to be the same thing but it sounds like it is not.

At this point is there anything he can do anymore? I mean, he would have to make a new persona i think to make a great movie again. I would love to see Cohen do some more serious stuff though. I loved him in sweeney tood and would like to see him in something other then a shock movie.

[FINisher]

In one newspaper was this headline in the entertainment section: "Bruno: Funniest movie of the year!" or something like that.

NOT.

He's not even funny and neither is his stuff funny. It's just a bunch of weird gimmicks thrown together and mixed up. Next he's a fat mexican with stuttering problem plus he's half blind and deaf and can communicate with cats. Kind of reminds me of "Rob Sneider is.." skits in South Park. Cohen is way overrated and I've never laughed at his stuff.. The best thing Cohen has done was the voiceover in Madagaskar.

EDITED.

[BurningHamster]

I guess that he appeals to the masses and simpleminded people but really, the best thing Cohen has done was the voiceover in Madagaskar.

Wow, that statement blows my mind. Not in a good way either. :p

[Self]

I'm rarely comfortable with 'reality' stuff. Embarrassing people doesn't sit right with me. I like good, scripted humor... but Borat was really funny. The nude wrasslin' in particular was awesome. Couldn't stop laughing, both times I watched it.

I'll probably rent Bruno on DVD, because, well, I rent most things on DVD, but I think the nail was hit on the head with the "not likable" comment. Borat was incredibly likable. Ali G had a certain vulnerability. Bruno strikes me as all pomp, no weakness, no remorse.

FIN, you've gotta stop throwing that 'simpleminded' comment around. Maybe it's not translating properly, but dude, hurtful.

[FINisher]

FIN, you've gotta stop throwing that 'simpleminded' comment around. Maybe it's not translating properly, but dude, hurtful.

Yeah, sorry. I sometimes get too overexited over some subjects like comedy, religion and life itself. I apologize. I've never liked the "mainstream" comedy, like Adam Sandler, Cohen or Ben Stiller, etc.. I prefer stand-up comedy and the comedians like George Carlin (The best ever) and british comedy (Bill Bailey, Marcus Brigstocke, Dara O'Briain, etc.) but sometimes I end watching South Park and Family Guy, which are completely on the other side of the comedy category.

[AfRoMaN36]

I'm rarely comfortable with 'reality' stuff. Embarrassing people doesn't sit right with me. I like good, scripted humor... but Borat was really funny. The nude wrasslin' in particular was awesome. Couldn't stop laughing, both times I watched it.

I'll probably rent Bruno on DVD, because, well, I rent most things on DVD, but I think the nail was hit on the head with the "not likable" comment. Borat was incredibly likable. Ali G had a certain vulnerability. Bruno strikes me as all pomp, no weakness, no remorse.

FIN, you've gotta stop throwing that 'simpleminded' comment around. Maybe it's not translating properly, but dude, hurtful.

Yes, Bruno wasn't likable and you can't chalk up his idiocy to "him not knowing any better." like you did with Borat who was very likable. It's just one stereotype to another and it's kind of embarrassing. But some like it so you can rent it. It had a few good jokes so though most fall flat entirely. The giveaway was in the opening 5 minutes when he made like 20 jokes and 15 of them got no reaction from the audience. That's when I knew it wasn't gunna be great. I know this won't be as good as Borat though. Box office wise.

[BurningHamster]

It's just one stereotype to another and it's kind of embarrassing.


Embarrassing is probably the best way to describe this movie. Bruno just seems to try to embarrass everyone throughout, himself, the people he comes in contact with, the audience, everyone.