So This Isn't Borat 2?
If you liked Borat you will 'probably' like Brüno. The odd focus of fashion at the start of the movie will keep Ali G fans satisfied, but when you factor in the scripted and non-scripted events throughout Brüno; you see the set-ups as weaker moments in the movie. Of course there are plenty of shocking imagery in the feature. However, when seeing the 8th or 9th penis on-screen, you want more impromptu 'Candid Camera' moments and less Sacha Baron Cohen slapstick scripted skits. Much like the character Sacha Baren Cohen portrays, Brüno as a movie makes up for in its commentary what it lacks in personality.
The most congratulatory accolade Brüno achieves would be showing the viewer the power of the interview. If you have not seen the trailer for Brüno then I would suggest crawling out of whatever rock that has been providing you with shelter. Although the trailer is not going to give the average movie-goer a hint as to what the movie is about. The trailer does give insight as to the who's who category of people Cohen and director, Larry Charles, were able to capture, even if they are narrowly escaping being made a fool of for the sake of the movie.
When You Think Bruno, You Think Fashion. Period.
The theater I saw Brüno in had at least one person walk out. There are a variety reports that a fair amount of viewers walked out early on in the movie. There is a degree of sophomoric humor in Brüno, but no more than what could be found in this year's highest grossing comedy, The Hangover. What is troubling about Brüno is not that there is a fair amount of graphic [but censored] sexual activity, but the intentions of putting said acts in the movie. Putting a champagne bottle in a small, gay Phillipino mans anus has a charm to it that will probably be seen as an acquired taste. Original, granted, but once the same joke of, "Surprise, butt sex" runs its course the characters turn into something very plastic and superficial.
It isn't until Brüno, doing what he does best, interviews Los Angeles parents in order to use their children for a photo shoot; themed around crucifixion and the Holocaust, this is where the viewer begins to see the genius [lack of better words] behind the intent of the previous 30 minutes of shock humor. Say what you will about the over-the-top delivery of Sacha Baren Cohen, the character Brüno: a care free homosexual male model, who has been 19 for ten years. Brüno [the character] tackles the fashion industry [literally], illustrates what the self-absorbed will do for a dollar and worst/best off reveals one of America's biggest issues; homophobia.
Much like Borat revealing how American's 'really feel' about foreigners post 9/11, Brüno serves as a benchmark for how far we have come as an American people. A civilization that is willing to expose their babies to the harshest chemicals in order for that baby to be a money maker. A nation in which we have 'borrowed' from other cultures and yet remain closed-minded to one of the larger communities locally. Where Brüno fails as a movie, it succeeds as a tragic documentary. The final scene pits Sacha Baren Cohen in a hunter outfit playing a 'wrasslin' character named Straight Dave. Straight Dave is at your local wrestling event which has, you know, 'those people' as his audience. The audience shouts plenty of expletives from mouths lacking a suitable amount of teeth. What happens after this will not be spoiled, it can only be described as one thing: poetry.
I give Brüno...
"Geek Love" - For Turning American's Into The Geeks We Are.