2009 (Larry Charles) R, 81 min
Starring: Gustaf Hammarsten, Sacha Baron Cohen

Bruno, the third feature length film to focus on one of Sacha Baron Cohen's characters from "Da Ali G Show," follows Austrian fashionista Brüno in his efforts to become world famous after he is fired from his job as host of the fashion show "Funkyzeit." Baron Cohen excels in placing people in uncomfortable situations and revealing their prejudices, this time by confronting them with a character who is gay- very, very gay. Brüno encounters celebrities who are as vacuous as he is (the Paula Abdul scene exemplifies this). Bruno also addresses the trend of international adoption, trading an iPod for his own African child- a comment not only on celebrity adoption but also on the marketing and product placement that permeates our lives. A recent article by Murray Whyte in the Toronto Star deconstructed Baron Cohen's brand of comedy though the lens of performance art, and I'm inclined to agree. Baron Cohen is simply the most mainstream performance artist out there right now, probably ever. With Borat, Baron Cohen commented on the insular attitude of some Americans towards foreigners, for example, ridiculing their assumptions that people from other countries don't know how to use a toilet. As the gay rights debate heats up in the US, Baron Cohen has released a film that takes on society's exaggerated stereotypes of "gayness." If the naked fight scene in Borat made you cringe, prepare yourself for more graphic physical comedy sequences, and don't forget the decorative umlaut!