Sidewalks On The Corner

Sacha Baron Cohen is the king of controversy. He exceeds at making people cringe with vulgar and outrageous content, which he exploits in his films, such as “Borat.” His latest “mockumentary” comedy film, “Bruno” finds Cohen in top form … or more like over the top.

Follow up:

BRÜNO
Studio: Universal
Rated: R

CAST
Brüno: SACHA BARON COHEN
Lutz: GUSTAF HAMMARSTEN
Diesel: CLIFFORD BANAGALE
O.J.: CHIBUNDU ORUKWOWU & CHIGOZIE ORUKWOWU
Kookus: JOSH MEYERS
Mexican Gardeners: TOBY HOGUIN, ROBERT HUERTA, GILBERT ROSALES, THOMAS ROSALES, JR., MARCO XAVIER
“Dove of Peace:" BONO, CHRIS MARTIN, ELTON JOHN, SLASH, SNOOP DOGG, STING

Directed by LARRY CHARLES
Screenplay by SACHA BARON COHEN & ANTHONY HINES & DAN MAZER & JEFF SCHAFFER
Story by: SACHA BARON COHEN & PETER BAYNHAM & ANTHONY HINES & DAN MAZER
Based on Characters Created by SACHA BARON COHEN
Produced by SACHA BARON COHEN, JAY ROACH, DAN MAZER, MONICA LEVINSON
Executive Producer: ANTHONY HINES
Stunt Coordinator: ALEX DANIELS
Action Consultants: OLIVER KELLER, EDDIE BRAUN, SHAWN LANE


Studio's Production Information:
In 2006, two-time BAFTA-winning performer SACHA BARON COHEN brought Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev to the big screen in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. Exposing shocking hypocrisies of Western culture, Baron Cohen, director LARRY CHARLES and their crew used guerrilla-style filmmaking to create a worldwide comedy event that took audiences and critics by storm. The film led to Baron Cohen's win of a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy and shared Oscar® nomination for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay. By allowing audiences to laugh and cringe at ridiculous prejudices, the team engineered a breakout hit that earned more than $260 million at the global box-office and set a new standard of risky provocation.

They were just getting started.

Now, the creator, star, writer and producer of Borat and Da Ali G Show has created the gutsiest, craziest and most dangerous comedy to be released in mainstream theaters. In Brüno, Baron Cohen introduces moviegoers to the next character from his award-winning series: a gay fashionista who is the host of the top-rated late night fashion show in any German-speaking country…apart from Germany.

Brüno's mission? To become the biggest Austrian celebrity since Hitler. His strategy? To crisscross the globe in the hopes of finding fame and love.

Reuniting with Baron Cohen and Charles for Brüno are their longtime collaborators: producers JAY ROACH (Borat, Meet the Fockers), DAN MAZER (television's Da Ali G Show, Borat) and MONICA LEVINSON (Zoolander, Borat), as well as executive producer and co-writer ANTHONY HINES (television's Da Ali G Show, Borat).

The behind-the-scenes team includes directors of photography ANTHONY HARDWICK (Borat, television's Trust Me) and WOLFGANG HELD (American Teen, television's Carrier); art directors DENISE HUDSON (Accepted, upcoming The Perfect Game) and DAVID SAENZ DE MATURANA (television's Curb Your Enthusiasm, Borat); editors JAMES THOMAS (Borat, television's The Flight of the Conchords) and SCOTT M. DAVIDS (Borat, television's The Flight of the Conchords); and costume designer JASON ALPER (television's Da Ali G Show, Borat). The music for the film is by ERRAN BARON COHEN (television's Da Ali G Show, Borat), and the music supervisor is RICHARD HENDERSON (Borat, Religulous).

Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Dan Mazer and JEFF SCHAFFER (Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, Eurotrip) wrote the screenplay for Brüno from a story by Sacha Baron Cohen, PETER BAYNHAM (Borat, upcoming Arthur Christmas), Hines and Mazer.

Sacha Baron Cohen is "Bruno."
Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels / Universal Pictures
Copyright: © 2009 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

J.P.'s Take:
After viewing the trailer for “Bruno,” my immediate response was what a stupid movie. My initial thought was correct; however, the trailer was pretty allusive of what the movie was really all about. I didn't expect it to be so shocking or vulgar. If there is one thing I've learned about Cohen is that he creates some of the most uncomfortable situations in the history of movie making. I'm exaggerating about that last part, of course, but it is pretty unnerving to watch for most people. What I liked about the film is the fact that Cohen has the guts to pull some of the most daring stunts on unsuspecting guests, including some celebrities. One of the boldest stunts he did was a mock interview with a known terrorist leader. In his interview, Bruno is practically trashing the guy. This kind of action can literally get Cohen in some real trouble or worst killed. Another wild scene is when he strolls down the street in Israel and is taunting religious figures. They respond by chasing him into the street as if they wanted burn him at the steak.

He is also unapologetic about the way he exposes the world’s views of social/political issues such as race, sexual orientation, politics, etc. One issue that seems to stick out like a sore thumb is homosexuality -- more fitting the gay/lesbian lifestyle. From the beginning, the audience is flooded with often uncomfortable scenes that will make people wince and want to look away. For example, Bruno engages in what would appear to be hardcore gay porn, where he goes as far as performing various sexual positions on his lover. He even uses sex toys just to drive home his point. If it weren't for the black bars that were strategically placed to cover certain parts of his body, it would have become a full blown porn video. Bold and daring is a recurring theme you'll find through out this movie. Another example of his boldness is when Cohen exposes his own penis in a full shot and dances with it. Yes, you heard me correctly; he makes his penis dance and -- to top it all off -- it speaks. He even takes a stab at Hollywood stars who exploit their adopted children to puff up their image. The finger is clearly pointing towards Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt or Madonna, whom have adopted African children.

There wasn't much I disliked about this movie, although I question the longevity of the types of productions that Sacha Baron Cohen somehow continues to make. I didn't see the need to turn this into a feature-length film other than to find a way to push the limits of an “R” rating. I can say it's pretty close to the edge.

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, “Bruno” makes a complete spectacle of the issues it displays and also of itself. You may say it's a joke within a joke. Unlike “Observe and Report” (the Seth Rogen dark comedy film about a mall security officer), which was a complete mess from start to finish, “Bruno” is a much more focused mess. It tries to make a statement: no matter how shocking it is or how it goes about presenting that statement. The audience may find this movie highly offensive, at the same time, they may also find it more enjoyable to watch.

Those of you who are easily offended don't bother to see it. Those who know Sacha Baron Cohen's style may flock to the theater in droves. I have to admit it grew on me despite its vulgar nature.

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J.P. Langston is a member of "Sidewalks Entertainment" team primarily as a videographer. He loves movies, especially sci-fi horror and action comedies. Some of his favorite films include "Blade Runner" "The Matrix Trilogy," The (original) "Star Wars," "Equilibrium," "Serenity," "Kill Bill Vols 1 and 2," "Appleseed," "Unbreakable" and "Sin City." He has a large DVD collection, which is still growing. Since reviewing films for "Sidewalks," he has been expanding his palette for all types of films.