There has been a lot of buzz and anticipation over the movie “Bruno” that opens in theaters nationwide today. The film stars Sacha Baron Cohen, who is best known for his role in the movie “Borat”. In “Bruno”, Baron Cohen “plays the title character of an over-the-top gay Austrian fashion reporter determined to become world famous,” states the Los Angeles Times. The actor not only starred in both films, but also co-wrote both scripts.
So far, the movie has received mixed reviews from the media.
USA Today: “Though the humor is sometimes hilarious and sometimes inane, the shock factor is undeniable. You'll cringe and watch through splayed fingers, but mostly you'll laugh.”
Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post: “Bruno could have been a flawlessly timed satiric contribution to the conversation about gay civil rights. But by setting up facile and often clearly fictional targets, and taunting them with ever more raunchy and puerile stunts, "Bruno" settles for lazy laughs. With stakes this low, the question isn't what in the movie is real or fake. The question is, Who cares?”
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: “Bruno is a no-holds-barred comedy permitting several holds I had not dreamed of. The needle on my internal Laugh Meter went haywire, bouncing among hilarity, appreciation, shock, admiration, disgust, disbelief and appalled incredulity. Here is a film that is 82 minutes long and doesn’t contain 30 boring seconds.”
“Thursday's midnight screenings of "Bruno" generated $1.6 million stateside and the movie could well top the box office chart this weekend,” reported the Los Angeles Times. “Three years ago, "Borat" grossed an impressive $260 million worldwide.”
Have you seen the movie yet? Please share your thoughts and comments.