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Brüno

Undeniably, Sacha Baron Cohen is a gifted comedian. He pushes the satirical envelope in the characters he becomes.

In the movie of the same name, as Brüno, an Austrian fashion reporter, he hopes to make it big despite being outcasted in his home country’s fashion scene. Taking his act to America, this mockumentary challenges the mainstream, traditionalists and conventionalists. He’s flamboyantly homosexual and the things he does are no-holds-barred. The acts he commits are designed to shock.

By using a reality TV style of film-making, not everyone in the film is in on the gag. This leads to some great camera moments as people in the airport and in the hotel genuinely react to Brüno’s antics. The surprise here is that authorities do not intercede. Obviously some people were in on the act.

To take half the film deep into the Bible Belt of America is also wrought with dangers, disgust and hilarity; it dives deep into showing what general attitudes are like towards Brüno. What happens behind closed doors is not always closed.

Instead of shut, they are blatantly open.

And this film tests the comfort level of everyone involved. From the people in the film to the talk show audience (and even the theater-goer), this amount of involvement will get some folks laughing and others asking, “What the–?”

This movie looks at stereotypical prejudices toward orientation and culture. It is funny because of the sheer lunacy that goes on as Baron Cohen makes a biting commentary about the human condition—just how will people react when another person behaves beyond decency and morality? Is it a prejudicial challenge?

While this film is a brilliant satire, unless audiences get the joke, it is not for everyone. Baron Cohen’s characters walk a fine line in terms of what is in good taste. There are times where his performance is outright offensive. But if he was to stay safe he would not become the comedic genius that he is now.

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Brüno