Based on the mixture of laughter and gasping heard throughout the theater during Brüno, Sacha Baron Cohen proves once again that he knows how to get a laugh, even if it means shocking audiences beyond belief.
Baron Cohen plays Brüno, a flamboyantly gay, Austrian, fashion reporter and he identifies himself as the voice of Austrian youth TV. However, after attending a fashion show wearing a full Velcro suit, trouble ensues and Brüno finds himself banned from all European fashion shows and fired from his show, Funkyzeit.
After his boyfriend breaks up with him, Brüno leaves Austria with his plastic wardrobe, second assistant (Gustaf Hammarsten) and decides his only option is to go to America to become famous. Brüno begins by traveling America and trying to create a show in which he interviews celebrities such as Paula Abdul and Harrison Ford, but once again Brüno only finds failure.
Brüno spends time jet-setting to other countries in search of ways to become famous and ends up bringing home a black baby he names O.J. He uses O.J. to enlist other fame-hungry parents in an offensive photo shoot and nearly starts a riot on a Dallas talk show.
After a moment of weakness with his idolizing assistant, Brüno realizes the only way he can become famous is to become straight. He attends meetings with preachers to try to renounce being gay and even goes to a swinger party that is sure to leave audiences stunned. In the end, Brüno finally finds fame in one of the most unexpected places.
Though Brüno was hilarious, it fell short of the expectations of Baron Cohen after his first hit, Borat. Brüno falls short in more ways than one, but the plot proves to be the biggest downfall because of Baron Cohen's inability to create a clear message.
Brüno's in-your-face sexuality can at times push the envelope too far and become even too awkward for the most unreserved audiences.
As in any movie with Baron Cohen, part of the adventure always remains deciding what scenes were staged. Despite the film's downfalls, Brüno is worth the blushing.
4 Opinion
Anna Hartenbach
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