Bruno is Gay. And That’s Okay

Lisa Derrick Friday July 10, 2009 2:33 pm

Truer words, from by Snoop Dogg at the end of the movie Bruno, have never been sung….

That Bruno, the character played by Sasha Baron Cohen in the eponymous, sure-to-be-a-hit movie, is gay is just one aspect to his personality, though one which as we learn cannot be denied. More than anything else, Bruno wants to be a star, and will go to any lengths to do so, even denying homosexuality in a quest to be famous. In the end, his desire for love overcomes his desire for stardom. Yet by abandoning himself to love, he does in fact find the fame he so desires.

Bruno the movie is about the search for self when the self is defined by public response and reaction. Underneath the jokes, the elaborate set pieces and the one-off gags, it is sweet, charming and heartbreaking.

After a fashion show fiasco, Bruno looses his job and his longtime lover. There has been much made about his love scenes with his partner (Champagne bottles and fire extinguishers play a part in their intimacies), but many couples after a time turn to devices and fantasies to enhance their bedroom activities–even Dr Laura suggests spicing things up, and Passion Parties are designed for bored married women to buy white chocolate body butter and purple plastic dildos to "improve" their relationship–so the fact that it’s two men rather than a man and woman to me had no impact. But I’m a straight woman, so I can’t predict the reaction of straight men or anyone in the LGBT community over that scene or a few others.

I don’t want to give out spoilers, but I will say that Sacha Baron Cohen has balls bigger than the Capitol Building, whether it’s parading down the streets in Jerusalem in a pair of leather hot pants adorned with tallis–he’s chased by Orthodox Jews outraged at his attire–or pissing of some very vehement straights.

One of the most intense moments is when Bruno sits down with a gay converter who tells him that Jesus will make him famous by making him straight.

Kids will say, if Bruno can do it, then I can do it.

And it is jaw-droppingly horrifying to see what parents will agree to in order to let their children be stars. Bruno exposes fame-whoring stage parents like never before, along with showing us that even the most shallow, vapid empty-headed label fiend can find love, and thus happiness.

High points: Jokes about Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kevin Spacey, plus watching Paula Abdul suffer through an interview session, as well as Bruno’s highly hyped interview with Harrison Ford. Also great: Ron Paul screaming

He’s queer!

as his first objection. Well yes, Ron and that’s okay!

Funnydiva2002 | Friday July 10, 2009 02:49 pm 1

Shouldn’t that be “Bruno ist Gay”?
Just kidding.
Thanks for the review. Can’t wait to watch on DVD.
FunnyWheelieDiva

SpillsAndThrills | Saturday July 11, 2009 08:49 am 2

The critics don’t agree, but “Bruno” is a better movie than “Borat”. SBC is a comic genius and BOTH movies are hilarious, but “Bruno” works on more levels. The fact that Bruno’s gay is secondary. This movie is about the culture of celebrity obsession. It also makes a great point about homophobia being bad and wrong and stuff, but never feels heavy handed in its (awesome) message. GO SEE IT!

ratfood | Saturday July 11, 2009 07:22 pm 3

I read of GLAAD’s objections to Bruno and I think maybe they are over thinking this. They worry that it will reinforce negative stereotypes but come on, the people who subscribe to those kinds of stereotypes are not going to be in the theater anyway. The straight people who see the movie will nearly all be of a more tolerant mindset and seeing Bruno will not transform them into hateful bigots. At best it will amuse and at worst (IMO) do no harm.

timr | Sunday July 12, 2009 09:21 am 4

Gays have already gone mainstream. Watch HGTV for about a week, many of the home improvment shows show gay couples as being home owners. The programs House Hunters and International House Hunters feature gay couples quite often.

KayInMaine | Sunday July 12, 2009 09:30 am 5

I’ve not seen the movie, but from what I’ve seen, this movie is over exaggerating gays to the point that people will say, “I’ve never met a gay man like this in my life” which will have a positive effect on the gay community I think.

OldCoastie | Sunday July 12, 2009 10:03 am 6

something about straight guys playing gay guys to the stereotype reminds me of white guys doing blackface.

Larue | Sunday July 12, 2009 10:09 am 7

I find SBC about as funny as mainstreamed Jim Carey. Which is not at all.

Humor and comedy have fallen from mighty heights, and to ascribe social valuation using collegiate level analysis of rhetoric to such a character is beyond my pale.

He’s just not funny. And gays ARE mainstreamed, they don’t need SBC. Now if I’m missing something, and gays in general think he’s the second coming of something, well then, it’s a singular cultural attraction.

But I’m missing ANY part of good comedy and pointed and poignant humor. Also. *G*

SBC, like MJ, has long run over his 15 minutes. Poor Warhol is flippin in his grave, no doubt.

Larue | Sunday July 12, 2009 10:11 am 8

In response to OldCoastie @ 6

That’s good . . . there’s something, that’s just not RIGHT with it . . . besides being lousy comedy and humor, that is. *G*

OldCoastie | Sunday July 12, 2009 10:45 am 9

In response to Larue @ 7

I don’t think gays find him anything like the second coming…

(I seriously doubt gays will make up any major part of his audience on this – it’s just too stupid)

bobh | Sunday July 12, 2009 03:53 pm 10

I thought “Bruno” was a very effective put-down of empty-headed, fashionista, Euro-trash, celebrity culture.

I still chuckle when I think of his African baby OJ and the instruction in fending off a dildo attack.

Lisa Derrick | Sunday July 12, 2009 04:39 pm 11

In response to bobh @ 10

My thoughts too, though minus the “Euro” — just plain trash. But he is redeemed through love and that to me is the message. Love is the redemptor.