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Very difficult to make my views on Bruno brief but intelligible. It really did a number on me.

Regardless of the disclaimer, it was clear to me that Sacha Baron Cohen is all about tolerance and equality, so this idea didn't cause a problem, because one thing the film IS, is fair; much like Munich I think it manages to stay on the fence effectively.

However my problems come in when I remember the several 'laugh-tracks' that came with both Bruno and Borat. Some people seemed only to laugh at sex or nudity while other sides split during sequences of politicians in discomfort. And I think Baron Cohen's characters for this reason can't make a classic comedy-satire.

It's obviously not his intention, but he has two parallel audiences. One understands to look past the surface - the extreme racism of Borat or the extravagant campness/sexuality/fame obsession of Bruno - and find the prejudice in everyday life in America, the zentrum of the world's media. This audience, which I count myself part of (without trying to sound arrogant) is probably just as likely to think the film's a comedy as sit silent and concerned watching the casual hatred so many people have. I for one laughed out loud very rarely during Bruno, and never at large prank-scenes which revealed some people's horrible ideals.

The other audience - many of which I went to school with when Borat was released, and who obsessed over it - find the racism, bad-taste and soft-peddling laughs at easy targets funny. Now this isn't a bad thing; it's not that they're agreeing with the character's views necessarily, but they want bad taste, social awkwardness and offense to come thick and fast. Nothing wrong with that, but Baron Cohen wants more.

It's clearly hugely difficult to marry these two sides, but this again is NOT Baron Cohen's fault. When Ali G became a superstar is does the exact opposite of what I suspect Baron Cohen wanted. As soon as you make his characters icons they lose their power; they are the doors through which Baron Cohen sneaks into the innerspace of society's concious, and reveals the views they'd rather keep quiet at dinner parties. Once these people are recognisable this idea is dead in the water.

I think Baron Cohen knows this audience split, as is evident in Bruno. The opening 20 minutes contain quietly satirical points about fashion and body fascism but is more about gross-out - a long sequence of wild sex for example. This seemed t'me to be there (again, not that it's not funny) to wean the second audience in until at one point it really went straight for the throat with a scathing satire against the Brangelina-stalking-gutterpress.

Phew.

I like it more than Borat. And SBC has unbelievable balls.

But then if he was killed by those he pranks it would almost be the ultimate vindication for what he does.

Steve G. Signing out.

Apologies if that's rambling.

To conclude more clearly the film is two films needing to work together better, if indeed they CAN.

I'd rather have the box-office bomb which is purely vicious satire, uncomfortable as watching it may make me feel.

Fin.

woh.. i really hadnt looked at the movie like that. Thats pretty big for me as i'm a sucker for principals and sticking to them. That might make me not go and see it..

bit of a letdown.

It sounds to me (disclaimer - I haven't seen the film yet) like SBC has principles, but Universal does not. I wonder how many of these decisions were under his control? I'm sure he doesn't have ultimate power over the explanatory press packs or the editing out of the Jackson scene. I think the situation says more about the real motives and the lack of bravery and integrity in the big studio industry than Sacha Baron Cohen's principles.

The only reason he's broken all the principles you laid out, is because, he doesn't want to harm his Hollywood career. It's a common practice with a lot of British comedians, before theyre famous, the will berate, belittle all walks of life, including celebrities.

As soon as they become famous, they all of a sudden change their whole comedic angle, and become everything they were originally against.

I have noticed with Sacha, is that his main target are republicans who have strong views, and like you said are soft targets. You will never see him target a liberal, who may have similar views, or have an outrageous political opinion, for the simple reason is because those are the people who will give him a long and promising Hollywood career.

Sacha Baron Cohen is a one trick pony, who can no longer fool the public anymore, and so he will spend the rest of his life doing mediocre Judd Apatow style comedies.

SBC. What can be said about him? That he is a one trick pony? There's a definate case for that

1 Bruno circa 1990's (getting in famous peoples faces with a ridiculous personality, that people feel they can't hit back at)

2 Ali-G (getting in famous peoples faces with a ridiculous personality, that people feel they can't hit back at)

3 Borat (getting in famous peoples faces with a ridiculous personality, that people feel they can't hit back at)

If I was Paul Kaye, I'd sue. It all stinks of Paul Kaye's Dennis Pennis Character (getting in famous peoples faces with a ridiculous personality, that people feel they can't hit back at). I'm sure that I'll be corrected if I'm wrong. Mr Pennis, I first recall on Ö÷²¥´óÐã2's 'Sunday Show' (early 90's), a couple of years later in the segeways of Paramount Comedy Channel, when it wasn't the much funnier animations (Bill Plimpton? not sure), Bruno was invading the red carpets of the world, asking awkward questions. A year or two later saw the first season of C4's fantastic 11 o'clock show Ali-G hit the screens (no red carpet, but still the same concept really). Along came Borat, putting these two charcteristics together (some red carpet, but some sit-down interviews).

Other than that, I find the various guises bearing similar traits, they all come with large doses of ignorance from Ali-G's rampant homo-phobia (Batty-Boy, being one of his common phrases), Borat, rightly so, caused serious uproar in Khazacstan (yes SBC, they have TV, internet over there for entertainment, not just bear wrestling, incest, and anti-semitism to keep them occupied). And then we come to the gay Austrian, Bruno. I'm affraid to resort to stereotyping, but Austria does have, and rightly so, very strong laws against those who deny the attrocities carried out on the Jews.

So SBC, what's next an Iranian mullah? a Hisidic Jew? or will you please hang up your man-kini and wig collection and take a well earned break (for us, not you). At least Mr Kaye had the decency to leave that crap behind him (maybe that punch he recieved for the "that film was so realistic, totally devoid of atmosphere"-genius helped him to decide to have a crack at acting in the more traditional sense).

Chances are though, it'll tick at least one of the boxes :Jew-hater/homophobe/self-ignorant. Please don't do any more, sit back, enjoy the money you've amassed at the expense of those foolish enough to commision him.

Arghhh! You just spoiled the ending! JESUS!!!

I'm personally not that bothered about watching this film for the same reason I didn't watch Borat. I'm sure that SBC does a fantastic job in exposing/making fun of the ignorance and prejudice in, what appears to be, middle America, but I have a couple of questions. What's clever about exposing what we already know exists? Why spend £8 on a ticket to watch Bruno or Borat when I can watch Fox news, where they're happy to share their ignorance and prejudice for nothing?

@floyd75dylan: "You will never see him target a liberal, who may have similar views, or have an outrageous political opinion, for the simple reason is because those are the people who will give him a long and promising Hollywood career."

Erm...could it also be because he wants to make a point that goes against those same Republican/conservative targets? Otherwise, what is the POINT of his career? I really doubt anyone would take the risks he does without believing in his cause, at least to some extent.

Maybe he is taking risks, maybe not. So much of his stuff turns out to be staged that you never know if he is mocking his subjects or his audience i.e. you (I would say "us", but I try to avoid him).

Dear Mark - forgive my off topic post (I'll keep it brief). I very much enjoyed listening to your band on the show recently, and hearing about slap bass playing etc.. I felt it was my responsibility to bring to your attention a great Lawrence Kansas bluegrass band called 'Split Lip Rayfield' - guitar, mandolin, banjo, and upright bass, and amazing 4 part harmonies - made distinctive not just by their wonderfully contemporary outlook on American life and fabulous song writing, or by the fact that they cite Rush and Van Halen as influences (when you hear some of the banjo solos, you'll get it), but also by the fact that the bass player plays slap bass on an instrument called the 'Stitchgiver' - a stand up bass with a single string he fashioned from a car gas tank. They have several great albums, but the 'Never Make it Ö÷²¥´óÐã', on Bloodshot records is an absolute doozy. I can't recommend this band high enough, especially to someone who has such an interest in this music. Hope you enjoy. James

The makers of Bruno and Borat would probably defend any criticism of Baron-Cohen by saying he is a comedy anarchist who has a go at everyone.
Much as a like Team America, Trey Parker and Matt Stone use the same line and is a nauseating cop-out for a satirist; this week we satirise racists and homophobes so lets have a go at their victims next week.
For satire to work you should have a passionate loathing for those you are attacking or else you are just a clown with a water squirting bow tie.

Never thought I'd say this, Mark, but you were soft on Bruno. I agreed with all your problems with Borat back in the day but I did manage to laugh all the way through. With Bruno, there were a few laughs here and there but not nearly enough to get me through the onslaught of uninspired gross-out gags reminiscent of Ali G Indahouse. Sacha Baron Cohen, once a cutting-edge satirist on Da Ali G Show, has sold out with Bruno by taking all the wit and substance out of his comedy and reducing himself to a glorified Jackass participant.

i agree with Dr.K that SBC has come to the end of this particular character type and his career may well be decided on his next project. I didnt like Bruno that much and found borat rather tedius, the brave move would be to do something DIFFERENT but i wonder wether he will be allowed to as he may well be stuck with the tag of that british guy who mocks and laughs at the stupid people who dont get the joke. Is their anything left in SBC that may be origional and different as Ali G was back in the 90's?

If all else fails there's always the comedy voice-over for the next cartoon, which will be a pity because i think there is genuine talent in the guy waiting to get out.

So any comment Mark on the announcement that in the UK at least the film will also be distributed in a 15 certificate version. The report I saw suggested this only required removal of 90 seconds which if correct just goes to show the thin line between 15 and 18 these days.

Ka-Ching!

yeah this was released by Universal:

To prevent growing disappointment among younger fans who have not been able to see Brüno in its opening weekend, Universal Pictures UK has also taken the unprecedented step of releasing a specially edited version with a 15 certificate to go into theaters across the UK and N. Ireland from Friday, July 24th. This is the first time ever in the UK that two different versions of a single film have been released at the same time.

So a new precedent has been set here.

This could definitely kick start a new tactic by studios. It also has severe implications for filmakers and the constraints studios will put on their films.

Will we see a whole slew of horror films with a 15 certificate?

Also, what does this all mean for the kids? In my local cinema getting into a 15 certificate film was always much easier than getting to see an 18 certificate movie. And you were definitely considered cooler if you managed to get into an 18 certificate. Do kids still get a kick getting into an 18 cert film or is this something that has disappeared in the download era.

What implications will there be for the classifications of films? Will it now be harder to get a 15 certificate?

Sorry that bit was not released by Universal but nonetheless that's what they're doing

@antimode - very good point. i think there was an article in The Independent along those lines too.

You made those rules up, and then accused SBC of breaking them. While I haven't seen Bruno, I'm sure the movie isn't nearly as much of a waste of time as watching this.

I watched this film last night and although there were howls of laughter all around me the jokes didn't make me tick - I dont think it even past the Mark Kermode laughter test. I really did enjoy the film, much better than the likes of 'The Hangover' etc but the funny bits weren't funny enough. For me the jokes were just in the same vain as Ali G show and Borat film (and tv). I knew what was coming...

The biggest disappointment was the fact that I think Bruno did what nearly all quintessentially Hollywood films do and thats put the funniest in the trailer. Sacha Baron Cohen portrays himself as hating mainstream but he betrays that image with how he made and promoted his film. Other than that the film does the awkwardness, the insight into morals and beliefs and the flaws in american (western) culture perfectly. Good entertainment but not Great.

Bruno's takings damaged by Twitter reviews? An interesting article here: