Brüno

Studio: Universal

Jan 11, 2010 Web Exclusive By John Everhart Bookmark and Share

So much conjecture has already been spilled over Brüno that it's pointless to hash out plot points and delve into a litany of specifics from the film. If you haven't seen it, renting or purchasing is a no-brainer. If you have seen it, you may want to revisit it, as the DVD provides ample context for the Felini-esque madness that imbued the film.

And the film was criminally underrated, as it easily outstrips Borat at the levels of both execution and sheer ambitiousness. And the extras are great as well, including hilarious outtakes with Pete Rose and LaToya Jackson (her appearance originally deemed too soon after Michael's death). Rose comes across as pugnaciously self-important, while Jackson seems stilted and awkward, slow to process what's taking place as Sacha Baron Cohen cajoles her into giving him her BlackBerry in search of Michael's number.

But it's Cohen's commentary that provides the best incentive for purchase. He draws parallels from the film to the infamous Milgram experiments from the '60s, in which unwitting subjects were essentially coerced into shocking people to death "in the name of science." Cohen extrapolates from this conceit in nearly all of his interactions, from camping in the woods with homophobic hunters, to ridiculously traipsing his adopted African baby "OJ" across the country, which elicits shock and outrage. Yes, he is provoking us, but he's also desperately challenging us to self-examine, a concept most of the dimwits in the film seem morbidly allergic to. (www.universalstudioshomeentertainment.com)

Author rating: 8/10

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Average reader rating: 8/10

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