The Cinema For 7/10/09: Is "Bruno" Cohen's Best Movie?

That's the question in the minds of many heading into the weekend of the release of "Bruno." And the consensus is, it's not.

From the NY Daily News astute Liz Weitzman

"Borat" came out at a time when immigration anxiety was at its peak, and Cohen deftly used his fumbling foreigner to unmask all manner of hypocrisy and prejudice. "Brüno" is similarly well-timed, given the contemporary debate over gay rights, and the best scenes remind us how provocative he can be. It's a safe bet that neither L.A. stage parents nor Southern wrestling fans will recover quickly from his assaults.

Unfortunately, though, Cohen can no longer fool the average moron, and his written material lacks the danger of his fearless improvisation. And the final sequence - in which he proves his own star power without earning any laughs - finds him flirting with the sort of celebrity self-indulgence he's spent much of the movie spoofing.

But the quality is very apparent.........

Like "Borat," the movie is a blend of candid-camera moments and scripted sketches. Some fall flat (the adopted baby bit is funnier in the trailer), many are amusing (oh, Paula Abdul), and a few feel downright inspired (if Cohen ever gets bored, he's got a promising future as a Middle East envoy).

From most at the Rotten Tomatoes, the same can be said. Has a lot of great moments, a fine watch, but still not better than "Bruno." A 70% majority over there when you click on the link agree that it is certainly worth the hype.

It's really raunchy, so much so that it makes "The Hangover" look PG-13. But hey, this is the same guy who put his butt in Eminem's face (with Em not knowing he was going to go that far) and dance on Conan O'Brien's table, so yeah.

Enjoy.