Behold, a white horse

Is Brüno savior or Antichrist? A sign of the apocalypse or hope for the future? Is he a trailblazing superhero putting the bad guys in their place, one bigot at a time, or just another oversexed stereotype for the majority to fear (one that merely replaces the big black cock with a limp wrist)? I tell you now: I don't fucking know. I've been thinking about it since seeing Brüno Friday. I even held off from posting this Monday in case something came to me. It hasn't. We label comedies as "side-splitting" all the time; for me Brüno was (and is) head-hurting.

The pain doesn't surprise me. It makes sense that no one -- not even the audience -- is spared when the goal of the master at work is to be as offensive as possible. Sacha Baron Cohen often comes off like John Waters: The 3-D Experience here. The most mind-boggling thing about Brüno is although he's founded on the basest gay stereotype possible (the swishy wisp of a man who craves fashion, fame and sex), he gives everyone he encounters reasons to hate him way beyond his gayness. (If you trip over a rainbow flag, what it represents becomes secondary to its obstruction.) And this is even when he's incorporating said gayness into his social assault, like when he's thrusting his barely clad crotch in front of a test group meant to represent Middle America, or simulating multiple varieties of oral sex on the ghost of Rob Pilatus in front of a straight-laced psychic, or nagging a dude he's camping with multiple times (sometimes clothed, sometimes not) in the wee hours of the night. He's not just there and queer and get over it; Brüno violates social boundaries so that his primary fault is his rudeness. Baron Cohen constructs these situations so that Brüno is judged not by the color of his skin (or the genitals of his lovers) but by the content of his character. There's something oddly humanizing in his beastly behavior.

Or is there? The danger here is that Brüno's over-the-top antics can easily confirm the suspicions of the hateful. Baron Cohen is presenting a cartoon character to people who don't think that gays are real people, anyway. A finer point is that if they come in with negative feelings towards gays, they leave with even worse ones toward this gay. Maybe Baron Cohen's driven by cynicism -- the bigots will never learn anyway, so you might as well fuck with them and make them as uncomfortable as they make gay people. Maybe he believes in the healing power of laughter. I think most likely, Baron Cohen lacks a clear agenda beyond self-service. The problematic nature of the Brüno character could be a sleight of hand -- any thinking person invested in gay equality (for or anti) focuses their eyes on Baron Cohen's stereotyping or what he's really saying, while he makes a getaway with the cash.

I admit that the experience of seeing Brüno was somewhat disappointing to me. I went ready to be enraged by both on-screen and in-house ignorance, and came up short. Unless we're counting the messages on Westboro Baptist Church signs, I don't think anyone even calls Brüno a "fag" until the climax, a man-on-man make-out session at a cage match that has its meth-faced, backwoodsy audience hanging their heads, gasping for air and punching themselves in the face in response (for all their willingness to play to type, they are real live Brünos). Earlier in the movie, when Brüno is at a swingers party begging a guy who's banging some girl to look him the the eyes and the guy then chastises him for "that queer shit," no one in the audience I sat in made a peep, despite the phrase falling like a punchline in timing and emphasis. And keep in mind that I saw this in Queens, which isn't exactly Utah, I know, but it also isn't nearly as liberal- or pro-gay seeming as, say the East Village. But look, in an audience of thug-lites and gelled meatheads, including the one sitting next to me (practically wrestling me for arm-rest dominance), the mood was one of hilarity, not disgust. That was even when Brüno indulged in explicit gay sex with his pygmy soul mate or when his penis repeatedly flopped around on-screen. Based on dozens of previous screenings at that theater, this audience isn't the brightest box of aisle lights, but they seemed to understand Brüno's subversiveness entirely. They even loved the Sex and the City joke, which isn't gross-out at all; it's just gay.

As the obvious maestro of this absurdity, it is Baron Cohen (and not Brüno) who's the real protagonist here. Still, if you're investing in the film's narrative, interference is impossible to avoid, and I think in the end Brüno ends up coming off as the bearer of righteous mischief. If Brüno is a Rorschach that essentially tells us what we already suspect, I experienced a room full of straight guys and their girlfriends knowing acceptance on Friday night. That alone was worth the cost of admission.

(Though this helped push it over the top.)

Comments

[Jennette]

"I think most likely, Cohen lacks a clear agenda beyond self-service." Exactly. This is what bothers me about Cohen. I don't think he knows what he means.

Very insightful, Rich. I've been trying to put my finger on my problem with SBC and my hypothetical (because I haven't seen it yet) problem with this movie, based on my experience with Borat.

I think we have to take into account the fact that people watching SBC's films know he is pretending and playing a prank. He's not really Borat or Bruno. Therefore he can get away with plenty because intolerant/homophobic/xenophobic people can write it off as fantasy and enjoy his antics even if they'd be bigoted about less-ridiculous people in real life.

Also, I can't blame people in his films for being annoyed by him, which makes it hard to laugh at them sometimes.

[Cheryl]

I liked it, not as much as Borat but still had some good laughs. I had to go by myself tho...my friends were either "It's making a joke out of being Gay and I am Gay and pround" or "I don't wanna watch a grown man mince around and possibly kiss another dude" *sigh*

[Tanya]

I saw this with my boyfriend last night. There were several scenes where we were the only ones in the theater laughing or growning. The scene with Brittany Gastinau was brutal as was the above mentioned swingers party. When Ron Paul made an appearance I laughed out loud and got quiet when it dawned on me that no one else was anticipating the situation.

When the lights came on at the end of the film I looked around to see the theater full of young (18, 19, 20) people, many of whom sported the popped collar, spray tan aesthetic. (Perhaps it's because I was in Murray Hell) but then I realized that they simply didn't get the more subversive and jarring humor. If it didn't have a dick, a dildo or a pair of over inflated breasts it was over their heads, and I'm not sure that Cohen really understands who is audience truly is.

[wedding chair covers]

I loved Borat and am surfing around seeing what other are saying about Bruno.

[Fit Gizmos]

I think Borat is a much better movie...but i have to give credit to Cohen for originality NOT

[Lauren Kleiman]

Excellent review. Your third paragraph is exactly why I refuse to see this movie.

[Lucy]

I knew you were going to like the showbiz moms and dads part! It was kind of the only part I thought was funny.

[Angela]

I haven't seen it, but i've kinda always been a fan of the Bruno character. I don't really remember Bruno being THIS over-the-top. I'm curious.

[LV]

Parts of it were humorous to me, and I came out of the theater thinking it was equally half uncomfortable and disgusting, and half incisive and funny. However, the more it sits with me, the more I am disturbed by it. What I remember most is how uncomfortable I was that we were laughing at what was pretty clear-cut sexual harassment: Dropping pants in front of a clearly fidgety and uncomfortable Ron Paul, for instance. Knocking naked at a tent and revealing himself in the dark to a man who had already made it clear that he didn't want to be approached. All this does is to reinforce the stereotype that homosexuals are uncontrolled sexual perverts. We're supposed to laugh because supposedly the bigots deserve it, or because it's all a joke, but that trivializes sexual harassment to say that someone deserves to endure unwanted and embarrassing advances, or to say that it's ok to laugh at their discomfort on the screen.

[Vanessa]

He definitely brought to light some serious issues on the tv show. Like when Borat got an audience to sing "Throw the Jew Down the Well" with him at a c&w bar or when Bruno told a bunch of frat boys they had just filmed a promo for Austrian TV. Or my favorite--when Borat went door to door with a bigoted Republican dumbass and thus ensuring he lost the election.

I haven't seen the Bruno movie yet (but doubtless will) however I have seen Borat's film and while it was hilarious, the difference fromt he tv show is he is so obnoxious sometimes that I failed to see the point. Like, I dunno, shitting in a bag at someone's dinner party and then handing it to the hostess. The rudeness becomes a greater issue than the bigotry (or whatever) you are exposing. I think that's what you said.

I wonder when he filmed this. It just amazes me anyone can not recognize him at this point.

[chriso]

I am still getting over my irritation with Borat. After 25 minutes I was sick of the joke and found it to be far more problematic than it was subversive. I have no doubt that Bruno will be the same.

[Tish]

Bruno is the one segment of the Ali G Show I could never watch. I literally had to leave the room every time it came on.

I agree with prior comment (from Lauren Kleiman), your third paragraph sums it up for me. Ambiguous intention makes for (unintentional?) ambiguous message.

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[Fresca]

What the hell is going on with that horse's foot?

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[trixie]

I always liked Borat because I got the point, his overt bigotry and ignorance EASILY brought out the bigotry and ignorance in people (when he was just being an ass, like at the dinner party, it was just crass humor, but when he's getting frat boys to talk about how jews and gays are making the world horrible, that's brilliant). Bruno was always amusing, just to see people get uncomfortable with a man in a mesh shirt interviewing them about gay rights and fashion and whatnot. But Bruno the movie really took it too far I think. Borat may have made a few people reexamine their bigotry and realize how stupid they are being, Bruno is only going to convince the homophobes that gay people are just messing with them and should be punished. Or something like that. But I did think Bruno worked really well when he was, a, trying to become an ex gay and showed just how dumb the thought process is there, b, the photo shoot since it wasn't about gays, but about how much parents are willing to pimp out their kids for fame (and seriously, I hope that those kids get taken away from their parents), c, those absolutely retarded charity PR girls, d, the brillian cage match, since I've been saying for years that all the promotional stuff for MMA fighting looks like gay porn, so taking it to the logical next step just made me smile.

But anything Bruno did where he was being as over the top hypersexual and flamingly gay was cringeworthy...

[Kat]

I am REALLY attracted to Bruno. This is a problem. A big one.

Also, I am reluctant to see this one because to me, gay stereotypes stopped being funny around the same time that Taylor Swift stopped sucking the blood of virgins. And not because I'm overly PC. If gay jokes were hilarious I'd have no problem enjoying them. I just have a respect for funny, clever comedy. And I don't find Sacha Baron Cohen's characters that clever. I like him, though.

[fb]

Being gay, Chinese, AND Canadian (What?),
I loved the movie, almost pissed myself from laughing; so did the entire theatre and my friends.

[archipelagic]

I pretty much agree with everything you say here, but I saw the movie too, and did it actually say that the test group was supposed to represent Middle America? I thought it was just a regular test group, since they were in LA and all. Did they ship in the Midwesterners or something? I wish I could rid you of this notion that non-coastal America = anti-gay. I could give you evidence, but you seem to believe what you want to believe.

[mighty undies]

"Bruno is only going to convince the homophobes that gay people are just messing with them and should be punished."

That's like saying Marilyn Manson is responsible for the Columbine massacre.
'Bruno' is a comedy, and shouldn't be taken as educational on how to react or not in front of gay people.

[hi]

This is the sort of thing that misses the difference between personal good intentions and the greater public interest. It's kind of like Sasha Grey (although I don't believe she's telling the truth about her true...likes and dislikes, shall we say): An individual's rhetoric has nothing to do with how an act is interpreted.

[sally]

The absolute truth-and aren't you glad someone has the absolute truth and is willing to take the time to disseminate it?-is that "Bruno" is satiric in the exact same way "Borat" was satiric, that he was just as rude and obnoxious as a 'dirty foreigner' as he was as a 'dirty fag'. What's the difference, exactly? More dildoes? One involves involuntary status, and a social dilemma that seems harmless, almost comical in itself-and one involves a 'chosen'(Genetics or not? Who cares..) 'lifestyle'(for lack of a better term) deemed morally reprehensible by most of America, middle or not, and the voluntary surrender of power and social status; ie 'manhood', that shaky ground we call gender..and that makes people very uncomfortable, obviously. And let's not even talk about relativity-well, OK, just for a minute, though-there seems to be a certain standard about what is acceptable satiric behaviour in regards homo vs. hetero sexual practices..does that make any sense to anyone out there? Does it not occur to anyone that that is exactly what the movie was about? That the complete point of social satire is to push the boundaries of 'acceptable' behaviour to see where they are? And that when we have lost the ability to do that we have lost the ability to see ourselves clearly? For those of you mooks who have not seen the movie but are ready to pass judgement, shame on you. That's-I'm guessing-precisely the kind of bigotry you rail against when someone whose politics you disagree with does the same. I loved it, laughed my head off, and marveled at the bravery of a man who put himself in all those incredibly dangerous positions. And really? An actor, self-serving? What's next, bloggers who post smugly from the comfort of their living room about things they 'feel strongly about'? C'mon! It'll never happen! I think SBC's timing is excellent, he's right on top of the things American society needs badly to examine in a much sharper light,and I hope this makes him a million dollars. 14 million, actually. Brilliant movie, very funny, very, very brave. SBC is the Preston Sturges of his day, and we should be on our knees to him. Pun intended. Thank you, Mr. Cohen. Ever thought about running for office?

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[mika]

it's all fine and well to say "as satire, this movie shouldn't be taken as educational, etc." but what you think its impact ought to be has no bearing on the effects the film WILL have.

dave chappelle took a step back from his brand of satire when he questioned why some of his audience members were laughing (i'm sure you'll recall him shuddering at the one crew member pissing himself over the blackface pixie sketch, thinking "This guy's not laughing at the ignorance that the sketch is trying to highlight...he's just plain ignorant").

i can't see this reflection on sbc's part. not once were gays portrayed in an "average joe" light. from start to finish, it was in-your-face flamboyancy/obnoxiousness (the same factors that puts off most of my friends around pride week and have made most move out of the village, here in toronto).

one last thing, going back to the "should" statements being made. here's a little anecdote to highlight the effects bruno is likely having on the "non-converted".

imagine a bunch of your teenage students asking you, "Miss, have you seen Borat? It's freakin hilarious!" "Yes, Zachary. Yes, I have." "Oh my god! Remember the part where that big nose is walking down the street?" "Uh, yes. What about it?" "It's supposed to be a Jewish nose. Get it? Cuz they have big noses??? HAHAHAHHAAA!!!" And that, folks, was it. Young Zachary, like so many young people I've talked to at our middle-upper class school, where issues of equity and diversity are covered in class, our Day of Silence, our Multicultural Club events, etc., actually thought that Borat was this super-ballsy movie BECAUSE it got away with being racist. Trying to convince him of what the movie was "supposed to" or "should" be doing was pretty much futile.

can't wait for his Bruno review.

[sally]

But Mika, 'average Joe' anythings are boring, nothing happens to them, that is why they are called 'Average Joes'. And who wants a movie about them?
I actually think this anecdote about the teenager makes perfect sense-that's why teenagers don't make movies or write books-good books, anyway. They have a stupid, juvenile, naive sense of humor because they have not experienced things from an adult-ie different, varied, layered perspective. I highly doubt that any one of us have maintained the exact same level of anything-humor, wisdom, taste-since teenagerhood. As well we shouldn't. And the idea that everything and it's mother has to be edumacational is ludicrous-if you are learning the important things of life from the movies, or TV, or talk shows, commercials, video games, the latest Eminem CD..then you are already lost.