Bruno

Directed by: Larry Charles

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten, Ron Paul, Paula Abdul

Running Time: 1h 21min

Every bit as funny as Borat, but in extremely different ways. Bruno shocks more than it evokes laughter. The preposterous situations and amazing ability of Sacha Baron Cohen to remain in character during the insanity that ensues offers up plenty of laughs. However, Bruno angers civilians and us as viewers more often than not, whereas the Borat character elicited sympathy more than anger or hatred.

The social commentary that Cohen creates through these outlandish characters is really what powers the comedy and establishes the humour. If there weren't outrageously homophobic (and in the case of Borat, xenophobic) people in this world, there would be no reason to unleash the likes of Bruno upon them.

It's sad to contemplate the danger that Cohen put his life in, on multiple occasions, throughout this film. Just when you think an ambulance is going to be needed, the film cuts away to another place, another scene, another provocative situation. At a lean 84 minutes, one wonders what the outtakes consist of. Is it merely Cohen breaks character (such a thought seems ludicrous, his concentration is so superb) or the laughs stop? Or do the homophobes reveal too much of themselves that the movie doesn't want to embarrass them (anymore than they have already embarrassed themselves)?

This is certainly not a film for everyone. Even those who liked Borat may be turned off by this one. It's amazing that some people's homophobia runs deeper than their ignorance. Depending on your level, this is either a hilarious expose of societal norms and stereotypes, or a repulsive display of sex and nudity. My level must be set high on the tolerance scale.

Grade: A-