Film and TV

New DVD: Brüno (18)

By Kim Francis
November 12, 2009

You've got to hand it to Sacha Baron Cohen. He might incite hatred in some people, but boy has he got guts.

After the massively popular Ali G Show, Baron Cohen took his brand of comedy to Hollywood and so came 2006’s Borat. It was genius.

Baron Cohen pretended to be an Eastern European TV presenter. He revealed America’s flaws and put himself in danger while doing so.

Brüno – Baron Cohen’s latest film – is very much the same, albeit featuring a different character.

After being sacked from his Austrian TV fashion show, Brüno – accompanied by his faithful assistant’s assistant – heads to Los Angeles with the sole aim of being famous.

Along the way, in a quite genius move and in a clear dig at the likes of Brangelina and Madonna, he picks up a little black baby – which the viewer learns he swapped for an iPod.

The baby, which he controversially christens OJ, is very much a fashion accessory, much to the disdain of the American talk show audience he appears on.

Brüno also attempts to build Middle Eastern peace relations and, in a particularly brave – or stupid – move, talks to a terrorist leader.

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The point where he calls Osama Bin Laden “a homeless Santa Claus” is awful, scary, ridiculous – but also brilliant.

However, the real beauty of Brüno – just as in Borat – is how it makes other people look. His meetings with celebrities and ‘civilians’ make the film. Hearing a mum say she would let her toddler have liposuction just so that they could appear in a film is awful but gripping.

Similarly, a scene where Paula Abdul sits on a Mexican person to discuss peace is horrendous – although it feels she was set up.

Undoubtedly some will feel uncomfortable while watching Brüno. It brings problems and flaws to the surface and is also very, very crude at points.

There is also a well-rehearsed argument, that seems fair, that Baron Cohen sets these people up. Of course, it makes great viewing, but you have to pity the victims of his escapades.

Borat was brilliant and Brüno – although very similar – is also great.

However, probably because of the nature of the beast it is not quite as good. Whether America got savvy to Baron Cohen’s tricks – and many clearly did not – or whether it is just that it has been done before, Brüno only gets eight stars whereas Borat got nine.

Nevertheless, it is riddled with brilliant scenes and cringe-making insights into life in the US and for that reason should definitely be watched.

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