It would seem given this past weekend’s box office numbers that Sacha Cohen’s latest attempt at supreme satirical profundity is a major hit, slam-dunk. But, I guess that would depend on your definition of what makes for a box office hit. And, of course many of you may consider these questions: Did it fit into your idea of a comedy? Did it make you laugh? Did it offend you? Did it disgust you? Most moviegoers whom flocked to see Bruno may have left feeling a host of adjectives after viewing Cohen’s creation.
Bruno, unlike his predecessor Borat, is far less universally likable, yet he’s more infectious. The multi-layered movie has so many rhetorical dimensions that deserve discussion. Yet, I’m going to focus on the obvious one. For many, the characterization of Bruno was offensive to gay Americans and this movie was simply another in a line of continued perpetuated negative stereotypes?
Let’s back track for a minute, and consider the idea of “social contracts”. MySpace, Face book, and maybe even Twitter to a certain degree all form various functions as social networking cites. But, they also reveal some pretty interesting things about human interaction and the expectations that exist. For example, what happens when you send someone, let’s say a really hot guy a friend request, you two share friends, run in the same circles, have similar interest, thus it’s seems you two are primed for a great friendship. Well a day goes by, then two, then three, then a week, and now its two weeks and he hasn’t accepted your request. What gives? You feel perturbed, unsure, and insecure possibly. Why? Because he didn’t keep or meet your or the unspoken rules that dominate social networks. Most people that run in the same circles will generally accept one another’s friend request. But he didn’t accept yours. Consider this statement, “when expectations are not filled is when we realize we’ve made assumptions about what the person “ought” to be (Goffman). The point here is that Bruno, the character, represents an assumption about what gay depictions should not be.
Bruno may be an archetype of the overtly flamboyant gay male stereotype seen in Hollywood movies for ages. But, Bruno isn’t an every [gay] man personality and shouldn’t be seen as such. What’s laudable about this character is that he takes a lead role. The story develops around his adventures. He is not the sidekick or supporting character giving meaning to another character’s moral dilemma. Bruno takes center stage. And, he may not fit an ideal role model for gay men, but keep in mind Cohen’s intention is not to cast Bruno as a role model per se. Leave those characterizations to the Sean Penn’s of the world. Is this a politically incorrect movie? Absolutely! Often that is what comedy and satire is all about, making you [the audience] uncomfortable, uneasy, and a bit anxious. Those are the emotions that make you question and critically think about your beliefs, attitudes, and opinions. [Hooray for critical thinking!]
Bruno’s antics are shockingly ridiculous and outrageous to say the least. But, let’s keep in mind that aside from his sexuality, they would still be shockingly ridiculous and outrageous, think Johnny Knoxville in Jackass.
I think what floats below the radar, and possibly what might strike some as offensive or inordinate behavior is his refusal to successfully cover/pass his identity. There is no mistaking Bruno is really gay. In the movie, Bruno is a complete effeminate narcissist. His adventure to America is an attempt to absorb himself into the shallow and vain arena of celebrity hood. He fails. And, subsequently believes he must become “straight” or “straight acting” to survive as a viable pop media star. Essentially, he tries to “hide” what and who he is in order to fit in, thus gaining acceptance. Of course, he doesn’t cover or pass well enough. He soon realizes that he’s gone astray and like most fairytale type stories he marries his prince in the end.[Happy Ending] Still, Bruno only feels stigmatized when he identifies his nature/sexuality as the culprit, keeping him from his goals.. For Bruno, what he does is normal. He is normal. It is not until his dreams in America are not realized that he becomes a somewhat tragic or self-loathing character. Otherwise, he flaunts and reveals in his sexuality with childlike abandon. Now, isn’t that what Gay Pride is all about. Sure looks that way at most of the parades I’ve attended. Thus, for me, outside of the lute, obscene, and questionably moral behavior, I think Bruno only loosely perpetuates a gay stereotype if you look at the character with that particular social frame in mind, given the fact that it is a “straight” actor sort of putting on the armor of a gay male. On a broader scale it is the classic tale of self-acceptance, with lots of raw and raunchy jokes coloring the landscape. Of course whether or not the movie does anything to really expose homophobia, or empower it, I guess the jury’s still out?
