Friday, July 10, 2009

Bruno: Gay vs. "Gay" (comedy)

(WQ) Coinciding with the annual Outfest is the Los Angeles premiere of Sacha Baron Cohen's "Bruno." Outfest is an authentically gay cinematic celebration of all things homosexual, whereas Cohen brings the second of his triumvirate Borat/Bruno/Ali G personality to the screen.
A few years after racist America got its pride handed to it on an Eastern European platter, here comes British comedian Cohen to peel back the veneer on American attitudes towards homosexuality. Gays are unhappy. Unfortunately, the movie falls flat. More gay pornography than storyline or skillfully discomfitting humor based on authentic interviews with unwitting subject, it is clear that Cohen is straining to recapture the genius of "Borat."

Funny at times and shocking throughout, as a whole the film is a great disappointment. It cannot compare to the British TV show it is based on. It seems one would have to be gay to enjoy it. But if one were gay, one would certainly be offended.