And in scenes where threats of violence escalates, Cohen remains devoted to his character at the risk of his own safety. His sexuality is also proudly on display, which has caused a bit of a kerfuffle among both special interest groups and audiences not quite as compassionate as they thought they were. But that, in my opinion, is all the device that Baron Cohen uses to elicit the best awkward moments of comedy. For if he was any less tame, he would resemble just another watered-down stereotype that could be seen on prime time broadcast television sitcoms.
It is surprising that groups will take issue with the film's frank sexuality, when the very same film features a shocking bit in which stage parents agree to jeopardize their toddlers' welfare in the name of celebrity that has raised nary a whisper of outrage. Bruno seems to go to greater lengths at times for the laughs (perhaps because Baron Cohen was so well known after Borat for such antics), but the payoff is decidedly mixed, only really picking up steam toward the end of the picture.
And yet, while I am lukewarm on my reception to the film, I still cannot praise Baron Cohen highly enough. Whether you delight in his antics or find him an antagonistic pest, we need his comedic stylings in the spotlight. For Baron Cohen is at once shrewd (all those lawsuits after Borat kinda vanished, and you can bet the same will happen here), silly, intelligent, and indomitable. He's the thinking person's Johnny Knoxville, and his conviction to his craft should be celebrated. If nothing else, his films get us to converse long after we've left the theater and use humor as a gateway to issues that are often left to hushed chatter between friends and colleagues.
While Bruno may not reach the same consistent measure of humor output as Borat, the man behind him is someone who should be encouraged to probe deeper and more frequently into all those dark areas that many may find uncomfortable. Sometimes, laughter has to hurt a little.
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