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Bruno

(2009, Rated R, Comedy, Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten, Bono)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Intentionally shocking comedy even edgier than Borat.

Themes in this movie include:   gender issues

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    For all of its hot-button content, the movie could theoretically be seen as conveying a message about tolerance, acceptance, and the triumph of love. But it's wrapped in so much controversy and shock-value comedy that it's hard to perceive the signal in the noise.
  • Role models :

    Bruno -- the character -- is a fairly self-absorbed fool, possessed of a minimal understanding of the world outside his head. He's also portrayed in a very broadly stereotypical style. Many of the people he interacts with are portrayed as clueless and intolerant -- with Bruno, of course, pushing all their buttons to make them appear even more so.
  • Violence:

    An Ultimate Fighting event staged for the film features bloody, brutal blows. There's also scuffling and scrapping, and a naked woman whips a man with her belt. Bruno often runs from angry mobs.
  • Sex:

    Constant explicit discussion and depiction of sexual acts. Nude buttocks and full-frontal nudity of both genders -- though the male scenes in particular are shown in close-up and at great length. On-screen sexual acts, including depictions of penetrative sexual activity blacked out by on-screen black boxes. Discussions of homosexuality and heterosexuality. One sequence depicts a "swingers' party," including on-screen sex acts with multiple partners. Discussions of venereal diseases.
  • Language:

    Constant, strong, and inventive crude language, including "f--k," "balls," "s--t," "dick," "vagina," "p---y," "c--k," "ass," "anus," "a--hole," "anal," "piss," "goddamn," "oh my God," and much much more. Also frequent use of epithets including "white trash," "retarded," "faggot," queer," "homo," and more.
  • Consumerism:

    Apple Computer products are mentioned. Celebrities are frequently named and featured on screen.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Depictions of drinking, sometimes to excess. Smoking. Discussion of drug use, primarily Ecstasy.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bruno

Parents need to know that this mockumentary from comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is even edgier and more sexually explicit than his previous outing, Borat. It's full of intentionally shocking material, including a startling amount of nudity (both male and female full-frontal), as well as actual sex acts (black bars block out genital areas) and lots of discussion about both sex and sexuality. And then there's the strong language (from "f--k" to "p---y"), violence (including a bloody Ultimate Fighting event), drinking, and drug references. Bottom line? Cohen's point is to expose intolerance with his extreme antics, but he does it not by just pushing the envelope, but rather setting it on fire.

Read our full review by InternLogin

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the heterosexual Cohen's portrayal of the flamboyantly homosexual Bruno -- is it a broad, silly character or an offensive stereotype? Does a character like Bruno -- created to confront -- encourage people to talk about controversial issues or confirm prejudices?
  • Families can also talk about whether filming interview subjects who don't know they're part of a comedy is funny or cruel. Does Bruno's mockery of ignorance help the people he targets understand his point, or are they clueless "victims" of his humor?
  • And families can talk about the film's satire of celebrity culture -- are there people who will do anything to be famous? If so, what do they get from that sacrifice?

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Our Members Say

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See all 47 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    16 yr olds horrified.

    I'm 16 years old. I thought it was absolutely disgusting. I forced my entire group of 16 yr old friends to leave... even the guys. If you think teenage boys are inappropriate - just watch this. It's not porn. it's gay porn. It's not funny. I really didn't laugh. At all. None of my friends laughed, they were horrified. The movie had no plot and what's more, its a jip. Firstly I wasted fifteen bucks on it! Secondly it goes more 1 hr and a bit... and 1hr and a a bit too long! Thirdly the movie has now been rated R in DVD stores. However we were allowed to watch it as the dodgy cinemas changed it to MA15+ so they could sell more tickets. I wish they hadn't. I think I'm scarred for life. So if you're looking for a fiery hot sex film of gay porn with explicit sex and scenes of someone's ass being waxed... this is the movie for you.

  2. I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    horrible

    absolutely inappropriate for any age group. i was disgusted and left after 15 minutes. i tried again later on the computer and still sickend. nudity was abundant. sex was woven throughout and nothing about it was entertaining or funny. making fun of unsuspecting people isnt very funny.

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    very iffy

    this movie is very hard to explain. the language is severe but other than that every other thing isn't extreme. im not saying take your 6 year old into the movie. but if you have a teenager or preteen thats mature then they should be able to see this movie.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    It's pretty funny but way more raunchy then Borat.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I passed for a 17 year old guy and im 14

    i dident think the movie was that bad it was preaty funny except theirs a part whare their are two gay guys haveing sex and you could see it. thats right i got in a r rated movie and i passed for 17. and the other sexy parts were sexy.

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title off for age 16 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    bad movie

    my mom saw this movie with my sister while i saw star trek with my dad.i didnt see this movie but my mom and sister said it was really nasty and gross and i think only 16 and up should see this movie.this stupid movie sounds like it should've be NC-17!

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Cool movie!

    My sister watched it!

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Bad for anyone under 17

    I have never seen the movie but from the reviews that I've seen it's deff not 4 kids.If u c it u c it but if ur under 15 then it's probably a bad idea.Anyway it's R so it's probably not a ok movie.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0

    kool

    my mom let my 7 year old sister watch it

  12. I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    High concept "mockumentary" just doesn't work

    I'll say something first, I LOVE Da Ali G Show and thought Borat was quite faithful to the show, so my dislike of this movie is not because of prudishness. The problem is that the film goes so out of it's way to shock the audience that you often don't know whether you're laughing because of uneasiness or because it's genuinely funny, a bad sign. The film has a few noticeably brilliant scenes(a segment in the Middle East for example), but if you look beneath the vulgarity, the majority of the film isn't that funny, it's just rather disgusting, crossing the boundary between raunchy and just plain gratuitous. I will say this again, I AM NOT A PRUDE. I wasn't disgusted by a penis flopping around for 30 seconds until it becomes erect and screams "Bruno" because it involved a talking penis, I was disgusted because it didn't serve any purpose other than to make people gasp. This film is supposed to be about exposing prejudices, but when Bruno is a walking stereotype who goes out of his way to flaunt his homosexuality, it justifies the bigotry of the "participants". This was why Bruno was the weakest character on Da Ali G Show, but that show had 2 brilliant characters to balance him out. If you've seen what the film is Rated R for, then I won't need to explain too much, I'll just say there's plenty of full frontal male nudity and some strong profanity.

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    not for kids, but fine for adults(18+)

    When I went to go see it I didn't think it would be that bad. But, even though there's all that nasty stuff in it, I was definitely laughing my butt off the whole freakin movie.

  14. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Bruno your message sucks!

    I hated it...not to say that there was nobody in the theater! I am shocked that this movie is in theaters and should be at the nearest s*x store! It is dammaging to kids and this movie has nothing that conveys something intelligent. Even I did not want to see any body parts...especially close ups and there was horrible portrayal of the sexual act and homosexual acts which no one wants to see in such a way!!! DO NOT GO IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 years of age!!! In general do not waste your time on this nonesense, go watch something else!!!!

  15. I rate this title off for age 16 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative role models

    Sacha Baron Cohen definitely knows how to pull reactions from people, whether it be good or bad. When I was going to see it, I expected some nudity or whatever since I had seen Borat, but there was more penis than i have ever wanted to see in my entire life. The movie was definitely funny, but I would not go see it again. It was more appalling than funny, I'd say. Do I regret seeing it? No, because I don't take offense to this type of movie. I think that the sexual content did take away from the exposure of homophobia in this country, but I was unsure as to the image Bruno was giving to homosexuals. I wouldn't ever recommend this movie in general, but it definitely did what sacha wanted it to!

  16. I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Such a bad movie that they shouldnt have made it

    I went to see this movie with myself and it was so bad and i saw 5 year olds in the theater i just hated the movie so much i left at the middle of it

  17. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Don't Waste Your Time

    If you're gay; don't see it. If you're straight; don't see it. This movie is offensive no matter who you are or how you look at it. Being offended by this movie is not the exclusive domain of the gay community as some critics make it out to be. Before I go any further, if you didn't like Borat you won't have a chance at liking this movie. Sacha Barron Cohen obviously wanted the same shock factor that Borat possessed, but sadly could not deliver. Bruno is a classic sequel gone wrong movie. While Bruno wasn't necessarily the sequel to Borat, it was certainly overshadowed by the first movie. Cohen should have considered the two movies being compared, as they will be, and focused more on creating a quality piece over making the audience gasp as they did with Borat. The movie's funniest moments are shown in the commercials and are not funny the second time around. Or the fifth time around if you watch a lot of tv. While the movie is laced with bits and pieces of comedy, the overall crude, tasteless sex scenes and close-ups on genitals in the movie take away from any humor. Not only do the vulgar scenes make the movie less enjoyable, they divert attention from the movie's message: the absurdity of homophobia. Whatever Cohen was trying to accomplish with this film just didn't happen. I give Bruno -2 stars for a tacky, sequel-esque comedy that just wasn't funny.

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Likely to offend

    I saw this movie and knew that it wasn't suitable for my age group. Being older wouldn't have changed my views about it. This film really shouldn't be seen by anyone under 16. It is likely to offend some people and others may be okay seeing it.

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Mexico
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    should be over 21 they should card you at the door

    the most sexcrazed movie I have ever see, it IS a Porno, this is not a funny movie, it is just shock Value with alote of nasty sex seens, this should be rated X, it is ranchy even for a porn. this is a gay porn, and most if not all gays will be affended, and disturbed. what this movie says is if you are gay, you are a sexcrazed Freak. I am not easily bothered at things of a sexual nature, but I saw this movie with a friend, and nether of us had any idea of the content of the movie this movie whent way to far. way beyond Borat. this film belongs is porn shops not in theaters, it should be rated X, I talked to a man just after seeing it who had seen it, he also did not know how sexual it was going to he and said that was a porno, I said yes a gay porno, and yes some things are blocked out but it does not matter, this was like hard core porn, they only blocked out parts so they would get away with more. on this one he should get his ass sued off, I will not watch one of his movies agin.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    17 years old at the minimum. Very dirty and offensive, only watch if you like silly, gross-out humor.

    This movie is purposefully dirty and pushing the limits. Parts of it seem like extended sequences of homosexual pornography. It's essential to go into the movie with an open mind, expecting over-the-top gross-out humor and silly jokes. It is extemely hilarious in parts, given that you like the type of comedy described above. Note: It's overty sexual and may give a negative or stereotypical overview to homosexuals. It is definitly more exposed and raw than its predecessor, 'Borat,' but also more funny. Ultimately pushed the limit to it's rating. Plus, it's mainly with real, unsuspecting people, which gives you an often negative outlook on Americans. NOT FOR THOSE WHO ARE EASILY OFFENDED.

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