Brüno (2009)

Truly Dreadful Film

Excellent but underrated film

Absolutely the worst movie.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

A famous Austrian fashion TV presenter gets fired after an embarrassing moment so he decides to make a name for himself in America. Accompanied by Lutz, his former assistant's assistant, and full of confidence, he's going to find out very soon that exactly what made him so popular in the good days will put his plan into jeopardy.In short, this is a movie centered on a retarded and gay fashion maniac who finds out that he is completely useless outside of his normal habitat. We endure his attitude throughout the whole movie as he tries various things (including becoming straight) in order to become famous.In my opinion, this is one hell of a bad movie. The plot is idiotic, the actions are retarded, almost everything is bad except the main actor who is very attached to his character, playing it really well. Because of this and the fact that it was a bit funny a couple of moments I gave it its undeserved rating.

Five years ago I was at the opening of the film "Bruno" having the time of my life laughing until I accidentally fell off your seat. As I was having the time of my life, a dozen patrons got up and left in anger and disgust. And I said to myself if these guys were appalled by the actions of Sacha Baron Cohen's controversial character Bruno, then I guess it's safe to say that he must have done his job right. I am led to believe that fans who come to see "Bruno" are purposely going for the sake of being shocked, humiliated, slandered and offended. In 2006 Cohen starred in the controversial film "Borat" people were very flabbergasted and expected the unexpected. In the film "Bruno", from the trailer, people were already outraged and went far as to file lawsuits and all the "Borat" fans were milking about it. And yet people just still continue to become amazed and yet offended at the same time.When I saw "Bruno" I not only laughed at every minute, but I also felt a huge sigh of relief. In a fabricated world where being politically correct is not optional which comes at the cost of a lack of creativity and originality, "Bruno" represents a film where someone has the gonads to step up, go all the way and create something new and refreshing and for that it truly has my approval. Following the legacy of its predecessor "Borat", "Bruno" tells the tale of a gay Austrian supermodel Bruno whose upcoming show was sadly cancelled. Without hesitation he takes his show to America in hopes to rectify his position to exceptional fame. His antics will shock you as he goes way beyond his expectations like pitching an idea for a reality show by turning his gay ways over to becoming super straight like Tom Cruise and John Travolta. He goes far by exploiting everyone from Republican politicians to rednecks who are protesting against homosexuals. "Borat" director Larry Charles has a similar format, but still very effective. Bruno invades into celebrity events and unravels the ugliness of both celebrities and celebrity wannabes alike. Whereas, "Borat" shocked people unexpectedly, "Bruno" has lost a bit of its steam and a bit of its originality, but it still succeeded to intrigue others while at the same time angered the film fanatics. It's puzzling flaw is that it is hard to determine which scenes were real and which ones were orchestrated. It may seem believable that congressman Ron Paul was likely exploited thanks to hilarious scene with Bruno, but it is hard to imagine that top stars like Paula Abdul and Harrison Ford were oblivious as to what they're about to get during their respected interviews. Even the supporting characters like the overwhelmed L.A. agent was so deep it couldn't possibly be believable. With the overpowering of ambush journalism in America and with guys who like shock value to their movies like Michael Moore and "Jackass" to the "Trailer Park Guys", I thought "Bruno" overall was an in your face screwball comedy that had a taste of Stephen Colbert over "Candid Camera". The movie shows zero sympathy for any of its actions or reactions, even when it blatantly attacks both the gay and anti-gay community. The film was custom made for moderate film viewers who have a political frame of mind and who seem like they can still find time to laugh at their faults and at the same time someone else's faults. And it's made for people who are not appalled by raunchy sexual humour which is why this movie is rated R. Of course there are a myriad of deleted scenes from the movie that are left on eternally on the Hollywood table. Such scenes involving LaToya Jackson were cut down (maybe in the wake following the death of her brother Michael Jackson for fear of retribution). And then there was others like the bingo scene was dropped without warning.Sure this movie has been rated NC-17, it still lobbies to fall under an rating knowing that the surprises come at you and smack you in the face. I was very excited when I got the DVD, the commentaries are priceless and the deleted scenes were equally offensive as the movie itself. The extras may even go far as to usurp the film itself and that is not entirely a bad thing.So to summarize, I highly recommend you see "Bruno" and you will be shocked, angered and at the same time be mystified, all while your laughing your butts off which was really what this movie was intended on doing. Don't come crying to me if you get offended by the material, unless your laughing yourself to tears.

Brüno (Sacha Baron Cohen) is the gay host of Austrian TV fashion show Funkyzeit. When he cause a ruckus on the catwalk, he becomes a pariah. He decides to go to L.A. in a search for fame with only his assistant's assistant Lutz.I've never found the overt gay character that funny. Nathan Lane's shtick has always annoyed me more than hit me funny. This is ten times worst. There is a certain hit and miss quality about all comedy that is hard to explain. This one annoyed the heck out of me. There is just no joy in this character. I find no redeeming quality about him. It's not simply that I didn't laugh. I actively hated this selfish self-obsessed character. He is not just a nice clueless gay dude. He is actually mean spirited. A lot of the jokes are too desperate. The fact is most people would try to be nice to this idiot and he needs to go overboard to push people for reactions. Even then, the reaction isn't that funny.

Cohen is a funny guy as Borat.Bruno is the weakest of his characters.There is a reason this movie was not a hit. It's not good.A great bit of it appears phony. Lots more is just silly in its effort to top Borat.The only interest thing in this movie are the interviews with the shallow fashionistas.But the use of adding sound effects that weren't there originally (crowd booing for example) is just all too apparent, and serves to let you know that this film is just a scam.I get the feeling that the great reviews here on IMDb are all from gay men who can't see beyond he flamboyant theme.Any normal person will find the movie a bore.The Plot.Brüno is a gay Austrian fashion guru. He has his own fashion based television show, Funkyzeit, the most popular German-language show of its kind outside of Germany. After he disgraces himself in front of his Funkyzeit fan base, he is ruined in German speaking Europe. He decides that in his quest for worldwide fame, he will move to Los Angeles and reinvent himself. Accompanying him to the US is Lutz, his former assistant's assistant. Lutz is the only person left in his circle that still believes in Brüno's greatness. Brüno goes through one reinvention of himself after another, ultimately straying to areas far removed from his own self. Perhaps when Brüno finds an activity that he truly does love, he will also find that über-fame he so desperately desires.