Socially Significant: ‘Bruno’ offers mixed messages on gay community

Posted on July 21, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized

Sasha Baron Cohen’s first large scale movie, “Borat,” was a tremendous financial and critical success.

It both entertained audiences and also functioned as a tongue-in-cheek examination of xenophobia in the United States.

Those looking for that same combination in Baron Cohen’s new film, “Bruno,” are going to have to look a little harder. “Bruno” does challenge American society, but its attempts to lampoon homophobia while generating laughs confuses more than it enlightens.

If you’ve heard anything about the movie during the last few weeks, you’ve probably heard some rather polarized opinions on it.

Most people seem unable to find a middle ground with the film and can’t decide if the movie hurts the national view on the gay community and culture, empowers it or does nothing except make people laugh at the movies excessive use of penises.

Baron Cohen plays Bruno, a German fashionista trying to get work in the U.S. after his fashion commentary show is canceled in his home country. Bruno’s campy actions throughout the film attract the derision of nearly everyone he meets until he figures out the problem — he’s gay. The remainder of the film involves more wacky escapades as Bruno tries to straighten-out and eventually embrace his homosexuality. See Socially Significant: ‘Bruno’ offers mixed messages on gay community

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