The Triangle

Issue date: 7/17/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Sacha Baron Cohen reclaims the cinemas this year with "Brüno." He, along with director Larry Charles, deliver a fresh film with all the fanfare as "Borat" with results just a half cry under the original and with the obligatory umlaut over the "u." The film is a welcome addition to Larry Charles's oeuvre whose catch-them-off-guard style of filmmaking leaves him the most baiting man in show business. His ethics aren't in question here. He's not the main attraction but the well planned improvised mockumentary style is. A better question is why the interviewees take the bait in the first place.

At the heart of it, Charles is manipulating the trait that makes us American: we're gullible. Borat, another Sacha Baron Cohen character, is funny not because of his own inherent homophobia, racism or sexism, but for the homophobia, racism and sexism he brings out in his American interviewees. The Brüno vehicle is equally funny, but runs out of steam much more quickly than its predecessor. Some of the more ribald humor segments are the gay jokes.

The main attraction is the flamboyant Austrian TV interviewer Brüno (Sacha Baron Cohen) who hosts Funkyzeit an "in-or-out" fashion program that serves as a fashionista barometer for his loyal viewers. In one particular episode, he decrees "autism is very in … because it's funny" and "Chlamydia is so out." But he doesn't have a purpose.

After an embarrassing snafu at fashion week with an all Velcro suit (a humbling reminder and jab at the actual utility of fashion) he is ousted from his fashionista glitterati throne and summarily schiesse-listed from all the guest lists. Brüno has a revelation and realizes "the fashion world is superficial and vacuous," so he leaves that world for of all places Hollywood in search of fame and riches.

The remainder of the film is a well thought out jab at the kind of bottom feeders that are able to find success in Hollywood by any means necessary and without a modicum of talent in our celebrity obsessed culture. Sex tapes, daytime talk shows, reality television or famous by association - in L.A. even credibility is a fashion accessory. One recent media example is of Bristol Palin's ex-boyfriend milking his time and position in the spotlight for even a drop of publicity about Sarah Palin's departure as governess. The Kardashians, Tila Tequila, "The Hills," and MTV's "The City" also come to mind, and Brüno targets each one implicitly.

Continued...

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