Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


 OPINION 
16

Brüno Is Toxic to Gays

Share

(Newser) Brüno should have been good for the gays, shining a bright light on homophobia and inoculating the world against it. Instead, “Brüno is a gay minstrel, in the most literal sense of the word,” writes David Rakoff for Salon. Just as vaudevillians in blackface were universally shiftless, lazy, and “a-feared of spooks,” Brüno’s sexuality “comes bundled up with a lot of unattractive software.”

“He is an open hydrant of empty, venal ignorance, a fame-chasing, grandiose fucktard, all because he is a cockaholic (his term),” writes Rakoff. “The repeated pistoning of sucking dick has scrambled his brains.” Sacha Baron Cohen’s performance is actually the most homophobic thing in the movie. His victims aren’t hostile, just “mute with discomfort, politely waiting for the moment of childish provocation to pass.”

n this June 25, 2009 file photo, Sacha Baron Cohen, star of the new comedy film
n this June 25, 2009 file photo, Sacha Baron Cohen, star of the new comedy film "Bruno," interacts with photographers at the Los Angeles premiere.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)
British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen arrives in character for the premiere of his movie,
British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen arrives in character for the premiere of his movie, "Bruno," in Sydney, Australia, Monday, June 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Sacha Baron Cohen portrays the title role character in
In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Sacha Baron Cohen portrays the title role character in "Bruno."   (AP Photo/Universal Pictures)
In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Sacha Baron Cohen portrays the title role character in
In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Sacha Baron Cohen portrays the title role character in "Bruno."   (AP Photo/Universal Pictures)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Such a performance by an out gay actor would be the final nail, confirming his essential uncastability. But no actual gay guy would ever have made this film. - David Rakoff

Brüno preaches a false emancipation. It's Jerry Lewis playing Steve Biko. - David Rakoff

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
16 comments
VIEWING:
 
Alexandria
Jul 9, 09 12:07 PM CDT
He wasn't meant to be a spokesperson for the gay community though. He wasn't trying to shine a bright light on homophobia. He was just trying to make a movie that made some people laugh, some people upset and in turn made him some money. Seriously. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+10
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Jul 9, 09 12:24 PM CDT
No he wasn't meant to be a "spokesperson" but will be made to appear as one by both media as well as the ignorant who think that the majority of Gays act just like that, and trust me when I say I have seen that my entire life. I had the great fortune to watch a young Nephew grow up and since his "toddling" years he was Fem, it was never pushed on him or spoken about and he developed into a Gay young male. In answer to it I had a realities who intervened by "baby sitting" him at age 6 and in secret taking the boy to a freaking shrink to "CURE THE GAYNESS" needless to say after the boys dad found out and after I went and kicked this guys a$$ royally to avoid my brother killing the jerk the kid went back to being a kid who just happened to grow up Gay and is a well adjusted and loving young man. The world does not look at the well balanced they look at the extravagant and many people then use those as the example to prove their narrow minded point. Personally. I admire my Nephew, he has always been a wonderful kid and he seems happy with his life and that indeed makes this old man happy.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
Amber
Jul 9, 09 12:30 PM CDT
No, Bruno "He wasn't meant to be a spokesperson" but as Reader attempts to explain the ones who need to learn the most will learn the least due to ignorant people using the movie as an example of what it means to be Gay instead of using good examples of which there are many. Bruno just makes it easier for them to find a bad target buch like Perez Hilton and others.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
AmExpat
Jul 9, 09 12:39 PM CDT
Bruno is gay, yes. But I see it more as a critique of our "cult of celebrity" culture where even the most of mundane things are sexualized. SB Cohen is quite an intelligent man & uses satire to scorn what's worst about our culture: the superficiality, of which there are many homosexuals as well as heterosexuals.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
Pragmaticrealism
Jul 9, 09 12:19 PM CDT
what she said Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
LEAVE A
COMMENT
Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.