I love films that leave me speechless. Of course there is good speechless, bad speechless… than there is Sacha Baron Cohen. Cohen first burst onto the entertainment landscape by creating the character Ali G, a British wannabe hip-hop TV show interview host. “The Ali G Show” premiered on HBO, and Cohen (dressed as Ali G) would interview heads of state, prominent newscasters, and pretty much anyone he could. The only problem was that Ali G would ask them about drugs, sex and any inappropriate thing he could think up. Some went along with the joke, while others walked off the set. Using the term hysterical was an understatement when describing what went on. But Ali G was not the only character he dreamed up for the series. He also introduced Borat, an English challenged interviewer from the country of Kazakhstan… and Bruno, a gay Austrian fashion journalist.

Cohen has already created full length feature films for Ali G (“Ali G Indahouse”) and Borat (“Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”). I have only seen the Borat film, which I can say is brilliant in its dedication to making stupid people look stupid. Even after three years I’m still I awe of Cohen’s brazen willingness to endanger himself in front of the police… and Texas Rodeo fans. I would like to add that aside from being a brilliant comic, Cohen is also a pretty decent actor having delivered star turns in “Talladega Nights” and “Sweeny Todd.”

In “Bruno”, we follow our titular character to America when he loses his status as a Fashionista in his home country. His goal is to become the ‘biggest Austrian superstar since Hitler.’ Bruno hires and agent to help him achieve his superstar status, works as an extra on the TV series “Medium”, tries to interview Paula Abdul in a rented home… where she is asked to use Mexican handymen as furniture and eat lunch off of a naked handyman. And these bits are just the tip of the iceberg of what he does in this film.

Both hysterical and frightening are Bruno’s interviews with the parents of children who want them to be in a photo shoot. They obviously want their children to become stars as they agree to everything that is thrown at them. From putting them on crosses to depict the crucifixion to dressing as Nazis wheeling Jewish babies to the ovens, every parent says ‘OK.” (Though I’m sure there had to be some that said ‘No’, but just didn’t make the film… at least I hope so.)

Bruno comes to understand that the only way he will become famous is to turn away from his gay side and become straight. This is where the film becomes its funniest to me, especially when he goes to a religious gay converter. But in the end (no pun intended), Bruno learns to be himself and begins the road to recovering all of his lost dreams. And this is how the film goes throughout its hour and twenty two minute running time.

The DVD for “Bruno” offers up a terrific commentary by Cohen and director Larry Charles, which details all of the insane planning that it took to get the scenes that they needed, filmed. The most dangerous being those in the Middle East which brought Cohen and Company face to face with real terrorists. (And these scenes you will not believe.) There are also several deleted and extended scenes which offer yet more of Bruno’s shocking antics. You’ll also find an interview with Lloyd Robinson, the man that was hired to be Bruno’s agent. He was not fully in on the joke at the beginning and his comments worth a listen.

“Bruno”, while not quite as funny as “Borat”, stretches the limits of good taste… well actually there is no good taste in this film. It is far more shocking than “Borat.” I’m actually quite surprised it received an R rating. There are several scenes that I would swear would have garnered an X. This is not a movie for everyone. It’s not for kids… hell, it’s not for adults! It for mature (over 18) children…

Directed by: Larry Charles
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten
Extras: Commentary by Sacha Baron Cohen and Larry Charles, Deleted Scenes, Alternative Scenes, Extended Scenes, Interview with Lloyd Robinson
Specifications: Widescreen 1.85:1, Dolby Surround 5.1
Studio: Universal
Release Date: 11/17/2009
MPAA Rating: R
http://www.meinspace.com/bruno

We'll give Bruno a B+.