FLOP. Why Bruno Failed.

Yes, that picture is why.
Just joking.
Maybe not.
But there's no denying this years most hyped movie has been this years biggest BOMB. I know I've never posted about a movie besides brief mentions of the Devil Wear's Prada (fave!) and it's relatives (i.e. The September Issue), but just wanted to say a few words about this one. And yes I saw it (with my eyes covered most of the time) and no, it was not in theaters (bootlegggg).

So the actor is ready, and the fans are waiting, so how do you follow up 2006's mega seller Borat? Stick to offensive material, hype the crap out of it (remember his Eminem stunt at the MTV Awards?), outrageously dress that doll up in vaious cities and hope for the best! The movie aimed to shock and surprise, to hilariously push past what you think is too far. FLOP. Okay don't quote me on this (source me?), not sure the official box office numbers but it's obvious (1,2,3) people weren't into it. You can bet there are people at Universal who are pondering how Bruno could have bombed after months of a marketing campaign that seemed nothing short of brilliant. Let me count down why:

5. Trying way too hard! There are way to many staged pranks: trying to be an actor, adopting an African baby, becoming a chat show host (complete with unsuspecting celebrities), trying to get kidnapped by terrorists; becoming heterosexual, going to a swingers parties ect ect.

4. Trying way too hard again! We get it, you are trying to shock. Sometimes you question whether he has finally crossed the line into offensive bad taste - and whether you were right to laugh at it. They recently come under fire by GLAAD, the organization stating that the film “reinforces negative stereotypes” and “decreases the public’s comfort with gay people.”

3. Stupid me. I personally thought it would be more about fashion, less about ...sexuality. I know, not so bright, but all I knew about Bruno was this:

Now that was funny.

2. Tapping back into the whole sexuality aspect: I don't know about people elsewhere, but around here, many didn't want to see it simply because of the graphic man-on-man scenes. One of my male friends managed all of 15 minutes before just leaving the room. Many think that Bruno, by attempting to satirize homophobia, unwittingly tapped into a deep reserve of homophobia in the collective unconscious. I agree.

1. Just not that funny. I laughed a total of three times (maybe) during this "comedy." Maybe I was waiting for the "gotcha!" ending, if not to the people in the film, but to moviegoers and didn't get it. But no denying, I don’t know if there are any comedians working today as fully dedicated to a joke as Sacha Baron Cohen.


This shows the risk of comedy I guess. When it's good, it's good & when it's bad oh it's bad. This was too crude for my taste to be honest. Next time please proceed to give us what we need! Funny! Hope Sascha Baron Cohen can find a new character to help him out of this....he should think more along the lines of Ali G.

And thanks for reading (despite all the brackets).