Bruno: A Very Deep Film About Self-Discovery?

Hardly, but it is one terrifically funny movie.

As he did 3 years ago with Borat, actor and writer Sacha Baren Cohen delivers a daring and shocking contribution to comedy with his latest film 'Bruno'. Bruno is unlike any other film this year, and arguably, this decade. For the most part, that's a positive thing.

There aren't many filmmakers these days that will go as far as to mock just about every race, religion, ideology, political standpoint, and fashion view in modern society just to get a good laugh. And if it works, who can blame them? Cohen latches on to this concept like it's the only thing that will keep his career alive.

Unlike it's roots of Da Ali G Show, "Bruno" is undoubtedly funny, but yet thematic at the same time. Throughout the film, fashionpolizei Bruno( The biggest Austrian celebrity since Hitler)
aspires to achieve success in Hollywood after being exiled from every night club in Europe ( not even the bouncers he's slept with 9 times will let him in!). It is the finest example of what some misguided foreigners (and even citizens) believe to be the American Dream. Of course, he discovers that it's more difficult than he could ever have imagined.

After failing a gig as an extra on the show 'Medium' and being rejected by every cable network on TV, he decides to make a sex tape. This is where the real laughs start to roll in.

An un-aware Ron Paul, in what is potentially the funniest scene in the movie, agrees to be interviewed by the infamous Bruno himself. While the interview is being conducted, one of the camera's lights "accidentally" blows out and so Bruno requests that Paul "relaxes" with him in the other room. Wetting of the pants ensues.

Unfortunately, this isn't the only part where jokes like this are used. In fact, one of the downsides of having a mockumentary film of this nature is that there is often recycled humour.

Where 'Bruno' squanders however, it makes up for in it's shock value. When I say shock value, I don't mean it as shock value found in lousy D-movies such as "College" or "American Pie 10". For there's something much more, do I dare say it, "elegant" in a film that takes it self seriously. One scene in particular, in which our hero attends an American Originated swingers party, is both uncomfortable and suffocatingly-funny at the same time. Uncomfortable if seen with a family member, but funny under every circumstance.

Some of the interviews with real people are so outlandish that audiences are forced to believe that a bit of at least has to be fictional. Believe what you want, but the majority of it is stranger-than fiction; so bizarre that it feels the behavior is pounded in to your system. This however, can be quite annoying at times. The feeling of being forced to laugh in order to your enjoy yourself is fairly conceivable, and amateurish. After minor petty humor though, 'Bruno' pulls through as one of the funniest movies in years. With all his boldness, Sacha Baren Cohen is one of the most committed satarical actors around. Yes, funnier than Borat. A-