Bruno: One Giant Swishy Step Backwards? (VIDEO)

It's no secret we love "That's Gay," Infomania's sketch that skewers the crazy things straight people do re: homosexuality. This week host Bryan Safi pondered if Bruno is bad for gays asking if it takes the movement a "swishy step backwards." He's not the first: David Rakoff wrote a polemic on the subject for Salon in which he said:

"Baron Cohen's Brüno is a gay minstrel, in the most literal sense of the word...He is an open hydrant of empty, venal ignorance, a fame-chasing, grandiose fucktard, all because he is a cockaholic (his term)...Make no mistake: It is gay sex that has made Brüno stupid."

And Rashad Robinson from GLAAD said in a public statement:

"This movie does not unmask stereotypes by showing pictures like that, they enforce them. As someone who sat at the back of a focus group audience outside of Los Angeles, I felt they were laughing at us at times."

Safi's take is different. He thinks Bruno might be "the renegade we gays need now." And that unlike the comedies that came before in which gayness was the butt of the joke, this film uses ignorant Americans as the butt of the joke.


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Comments

[Riley74]

Could anyone actually be stupid enough to think that this character is supposed to "represent" the gay community? "Representing" is what our politicians do. The point of these characters is that they ARE stereotypes *gasp!* Where the people who are horrified at this portrayal of a homosexual actual laughing in seriousness when they saw his portrayal of a foreigner? When rednecks walking down the street see Bruno they see the stereotype of gay men that is portrayed in the media everyday, just played up to it's logical conclusions. That's what's funny. That people believe that stereotype to be true. It's also depressing but that's why this movie is getting so much attention, there's a level of seriousness to it. I find reality shows where we see a slightly played down version of this stereotype depicted as REAL to be more offensive. At least Cohen is self-conscious. I don't blame gay people if they don't want to see it, but really... I thought we were beyond the point of not understanding satire.

[TurnToTheLeft]

This movie is a giant step backwards for tolerance of real diversity. Bruno is a homophobic movie which clownishly derides gay men by using worn out old stereotypes of gay men by an actor who is not gay. This movie is a feel good movie for those who want to laugh at gay men - not with them. This movie hurts gay people and burdens gay youths with such unnecessary negative stereotypical portrayal by Bruno. It is hard enough growing up gay when a common term something being weak and awful is "that's so Gay!" I am afraid this movie will hurt gay causes and whip up a rash of new gay-bashings by misguided insecure teens. Would this movie be so easily tolerated if it were a portrayal of any other minority by an actor who is not part of the community being mocked?

[TurnToTheLeft]

Very disappointed with Huffington Post for advertising this homophobic movie which clownishly derides gay men to the worst stereotypes by a straight actor. this movie is a feel good movie for those who want to laugh at gay men - not with them. I am afraid this movie will hurt gay causes and whip up a rash of new homophobic f-bashings. How many beatings and bodies do we have to count? Touchstone; would Sacha Baron Cohen be alowed to do this to any other minority? NO!

[Phillup Textfield]

Both views are correct. He is BOTH an impossible 1 dimensional minstrel and a subversive gay voice resounding in multiplex theatres in red states. Sundance and IFC movies do not play there. Borat:[...] already proved that Cohen can bring in the Fratboys and Redmeat mullet date rapists into the theatres and get them to laugh. Now Bruno will do the same. Is that good? Maybe... Is it at the very least something that has not been done before? Definitely.

[marylandtravelinman]

My gay brethren need to chillax! It is a movie, if you don't like how it represents the gay community, come out! Come out to everyone, Mommy and Daddy, people at work, everybody. And only spend time with other out gay people. It will empower you to see that the rainbow has all colors and someone’s lack of masculinity has no effect on you… or us.

GO Sacsha! And thank you!

[TurnToTheLeft]

You apparently have never witnessed a gay bashing. In San Francisco a very gay-tolerant city; gay bashings are unfortunately on the rise. A movie like this has definite consequences. It emboldens sexually insecure youths and adults to make gays the butt of jokes which sometimes leads to real violence on gay victims.

[jpayne30]

My wife and I were in tears watching this movie...absolutely hilarious! A brave man that Sasha Baron Cohen. Similar to Borat, it exposes an ugly side of America. Borat exposed racism and Bruno exposes our feelings on sexual preferences. This movie will help people's general attitudes towards the gay community. It highlights the ignorance going on and will ultimately help to marginalize that side of America down to those who have nothing but hate in their hearts...similar to what's happening with the GOP. Great movie! Thanks Sasha!

[Norak]

If I were gay, I wouldn't want the swishiest, most ridiculous and obscene depiction that Cohen offers. He's funny because he's so improbable, which is his schtick whatever character he portrays. But it's still mean humor. Most gays I know eschew that exaggerated posing. I'm guessing this portrayal will not do much to change the minds of homophobes, in fact will reinforce their prejudices. At the end of the film, I thibj it was Sting who said into the mike, "He's gay, he's gay. O.K." as a sort of exposition on the ridiculousness of judging anyone's sexual preference, but that's no excuse for the whole (admittedly funny but in a self-shaming way) movie that alternates presenting gay men as idiots or as relentless bullies. What price humor? Satire should have a firm basis in reality. Spare us if this is real.

[TurnToTheLeft]

Bravo! great post. You get it. Bruno makes gay men the target of extremely hurtful old gay stereotypes. It empowers homophobes to take action. Imagine how hard it is to be a gay youth going back to school after this Summer. How many will be called "Bruno!" last years phrase of derision was "That's so gay!"

[BannedInBoston]

Heh. It's all the NEGATIVE comments here that helped me make up my mind to go see "Bruno" ASAP....

[jsijason]

Go waste your money.

[TurnToTheLeft]

Save your money. Just put some underwear on your head and look in the mirror. Or just stick your head up your huge a**---e!

[DWHarper]

What any educated viewer should realize is that Bruno is not a gay character but a character created by the homophobic nightmares of our society. Bruno is FICTION people and Sasha Baron Cohen's whole purpose is to expose this homophobia. The fact that Cohen is straight only solidifies my point, he picks up on gay stereotypes then amplifies them to get a reaction from his straight "straight" men or women. Cohen knows what will provoke the straight laced mind because he is straight and an observer. Ultimately, the influence of the movie and the character will have a positive influence on the gay community because the ridiculous nature of homophobia will be exposed.

[GomezAdams]

I'm gay and saw the movie in Manassas, Virginia. It was a funny movie. I don't believe it made gays look bad, it definitely made homophobes look bad. The movie was well received by the 20 something crowd, they were in stiches nearly the entire time.

[BannedInBoston]

That's good to hear. I've been trying to make up my mind whether to go. I laughed my @ss off at "Borat". (See? It's all gone!)

[mitchpeter]

Its brilliant satire. The fact that a straight man had the courage to attack the nonsense of homophobes is sheer brilliance! This gay man gives it 2 thumbs up (no pun intended).

[sunzen]

He is a Charlatan...he is exploiting a stereotype to make money. Its not brilliant...its buffoonery

[JohnFromCensornati]

The sky is falling.

[TurnToTheLeft]

Thank you sunzen. thank you.

[BannedInBoston]

Watch those thumbs, lol!

[valkyrie607]

So, people object to Bruno because he's just perpetuating a giant swishy stereotype. It's assumed that gay guys would be horrified at being associated with all this flaming flamboyantness.

My question is, what's so bad about flaming flamboyant swishiness? It's FUN!

It's a stereotype, but it's not a very hurtful stereotype--at least I don't perceive it that way, and neither do millions of men (gay and straight) who really do enjoy wearing short shorts and glittery scarves.

[sunzen]

Because thats what makes young masculine gay males scared to death. They dont want to be the joke. So many lie their entire life to themselves and their wives to escape the ridicule. Its not fun.

[TurnToTheLeft]

There is a huge vacuum of portrayals of real gays on film. Bruno fills that vacuum and perpetuates old giant swishy stereotypes. Young gays deserve a break. Last year the term of derision was "that's so GAY!" This year it will be "Bruno!" Suicide statistics among gay teens is the highest it has ever been and far higher than straight teens. There are real consequences to such flagrant mockery.

[naschkatze]

I though Milk said it all. Why do we need Bruno?

[suigeneris]

WTF? David Rakoff and other hysterics claiming Cohen's schtick is minstrelsy are missing the point completely.

How many gay folks do you know who ACTUALLY act like Bruno? He isn't making fun of gay people, he's making fun of idiots, fashionistas, narcissists, and celebrity culture! The fact that he's gay is no more important than the fact that Borat was from Khazakstan. Did anyone retain a prejudice against Khazakstanis after that movie? Did anyone actually believe their country was REALLY like that?

Come on people. Grow up.

[defiantGoat]

Why does he have to portray the flamming gay stereotype then? That is the problem, not that he is "playing" gay. None of his gimmicks would work if he didn't wear his "queerness" on his sleeve through his cliched mannerisms.

[JohnFromCensornati]

SBC rather explicitly tries to make everybody uncomfortable. EVERYBODY.

[BannedInBoston]

It's postmodern comedy. Get with the program. (Or not....)

[rsrtampa]

Im confused by how many gay people I know that want to see this movie. I do feel it further solidifies a bad stereotype of gay people and it should not be supported by the gay community.

[JohnFromCensornati]

So, how do you feel about gay pride parades? Should marchers be required to dress "straight"?

[defiantGoat]

what do you mean by dressing "straight"? also, in a gay pride parade, the people are actually gay.

[rsrtampa]

First of all there is no dressing "straight". You're either gay or your not and what you wear doesn't change that. This movie is the topic and its entire premise is using a gay stereotype to make people uncomfortable and in turn make people laugh. personally, I don't get it and I don't like it.

I would like to see one gay pride parade that doesn't have at least one idiot trying to make the evening news by wearing women's underwear and nothing else. Seriously, it would just be nice. There, I said it :-)

[sunzen]

I agree! Its sad but many gay men are sheep.

[UncleJimbo]

Yes! I'm soooooooooo Baaaaahd!