We know Sharon Waxman knows exactly what’s going on here, and understands the game being played. Maybe she thinks nobody else does, because this gets reported in breathless gasps, as if we’re all supposed to be shocked and concerned.
Is Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno Too Raunchy? With outrageous sex scenes and racist humor that goes beyond Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen’s docu-comedy Bruno was just given an NC-17 rating. Can he clean up his act in time for the film’s release this summer?
Among the objectionable scenes is one in which two naked men attempt oral sex in a hot tub, while one of them holds a baby. In another, Bruno—a gay Austrian fashionista played by Baron Cohen—appears to have anal sex with a man on camera. In another, the actor goes on a hunting trip and sneaks naked into the tent of one of the fellow hunters, an unsuspecting non-actor.
Where does Waxman think we think the scenes for unrated DVD editions come from?
25 Responses for "Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno is NC-17! Not."
this is the most fascinating Oscar enigma this year. Early word from test screenings is awesome, some say that even better than Borat. If the movie pulls it off and actually becomes bigger than Borat, can they deny him a second time around? Specially since he became kind of “due” already, at least for an acting nom. I’m thinking he will be overlooked completely this time, but that this possible snub will actually cement his win at the very first time the AMPAS might feel comfortable with nominating him for a performance. Sacha probably is already too big to ignore (think of Robin Williams for Good Will Hunting… first showy dramatic role in an Oscar movie for Cohen, 1st Oscar).
this guy is funnnnnnnnnnnney!
sacha baron cohen is not as big robin williams was.
JAB…
Robin Williams never had the reviews Sacha Baron Cohen already has. It took only ONE movie for Cohen to become the main comedian to look out for in the planet, and Bruno has been one of the most buzzed shootings ever for a comedy.
Robin Williams noms were for: Good Morning Vietnam (War dramedy), Dead Poets Society (Drama), The Fisher King (Drama) and Good Will Hunting (Drama, won as Supporting). Cohen was nom’d for the Screenplay of Borat (Comedy) in one of the biggest surprises of nomination morning while he was unanimously hailed the new king of comedy (recheck the reviews available in rottentomatoes and metacritic). Cohen is, right now, the biggest comedian in the world, maybe Ben Stiller can come closer to that title iven the success of Tropic Thunder, but despite the great reviews of that movie, Thunder was never considered “groundbreaking” and an instant classic.
Still, Cohen will most likely not be nominated, even if Bruno is 95% at rottentomatoes, 90 at metacritic and makes 150 million domestically. Well, in that case, maybe.
I really don’t see Cohen as the biggest comedic star working right now. By his one review…yea that doesn’t count for much. I’ll take Paul Rudd’s truly inspired acting over Cohen’s shit anyday.
Borat wasn’t even that funny. Fine, congrats on his undeserving Original Screenplay nod. He’s a comedian who thrives on crudeness. Until he shows otherwise, I really consider his talent pretty minimal.
Oh…and Bruno sounds terrible.
Hmmmmmm not so sure about this film. I actually think Sasha is cool, and Borat certainly delivered, but this? Oral sex while a man is holding a baby? Erm…………………. pass
T.
SBC may be above the Oscars. I honestly don’t know his work well, but he seems to be daring to say the least. And when has AMPAS rewarded cutting edge? They probably liked his performance in Sweeney Todd better. It was safer, more traditional. Cohen may just be one of those artists that gets credit elsewhere, for doing his own thing.
the greatness of Cohen is that he actually hits the nail with the hammer. He has a message and he surely makes his point in ways no one dared to do before in the silver screen. What he makes in Borat – and seems to do again in Bruno – is to make his characters the worst impossible so audiences can actually comfront crude reality without the distorting, softening silk veil of political correctness.
His antics are brave and extremely intelligent, way more than any Paul Rudd moment in his Role Models performance. Still, Oscar only allow this kind of movies to be acknowledged – nom only, please! – in the Screenplay department and not always. Oscar likes its winners to be bland, safe and PC.
People, why are we comparing Paul Rudd and Sacha Baron Cohen? They’re both really funny guys, but they’re both completely different. It’s like comparing Pink Floyd to Led Zeppelin. They’re both great, but they can’t be compared to one another.
Thank God I’m seventeen, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to get into this movie. It sounds really funny, and at the same time appallingly offensive. Sounds like a lot of fun.
If these explicit sex scenes were between a man and a woman, this film would have gotten an R, no problem. Hell, Tom Green can swing a dead fetus around a hospital and have sex with a moose carcass in an R-rated picture, but how DARE Sacha Baron Cohen attempt gay intercourse!
MPAA, hang your heads in shame.
I think is sounds like he went too far this time. It does take away from being able to really laugh and have a good time with the movie when things are just too offensive.
It’s gay sex. It’ll be hot.
*throws up after hearing about the Tom Green fetus-throwing incident*
To reprise a line from Arrested Development – faux gays are so dramatic and flamboyant.
robin williams of late has taken a dive, but he certainly had his share of fine performances. Good House Hunting was not one of them. You should know his best….name them.
One of my favorite scenes from Good Will Hunting was that first therapy session between Williams and Damon. I won’t spoil for those who haven’t seen the film, but it’s the last thing you’d expect your therapist to do. That and the “it’s not your fault” scene are the best in the movie.
Richard, I have to disagree. I thought Williams was great in that movie. And it’s like I said above about comparing Baron Cohen to Paul Rudd, they are two different comedians with very different styles, so there is no valid comparison IMO.
Robin Williams is hit or miss on screen. But, off screen he just won’t shut up. I don’t find him funny. That said, I am not aware of his early work. Maybe, he was funny once upon a time.
It’s ridiculous to say that SBC is anywhere near as big as Robin Willaims was when he won for Good Will Hunting.
By 1997, Williams had already been in Flubber, Deconstructing Harry, The Birdcage, Jumanji, Mrs. Doubtfire, Toys, Aladdin, Hook, The Fisher King, Awakenings, Cadillac Man, Dead Poet’s Society, Good Morning Vietnam, The World According to Garp, and, of course, was Mork on Mork & Mindy.
SBC has a short-lived pay-cable T.V. Show, two movies based on characters from that show, and a couple of small supporting roles in other films.
Cannot wait… for Bruno- the movie from Sacha Baron Cohen. Which celebrities do you think will make cameos?
I read that Ben Affleck was interviewed and I am crossing fingers that KAte Winslet makes it into one of the scripted segments!
ben, if it’s so ridiculous, just think when did Robin Williams have so much anticipation for one of his movies in the media?
SBC maybe not everyone’s flavor, but after Borat, he’s an extremely good sell in the news.
I liked Borat but this seems to be taking the raunchy comedy too far. I’d pass on an NC-17 rating because I’m not sure I’d even want to handle seeing the kinds of things that he’d be doing on camera.
in no order the best of robin:
mork & mindy, Moscow on the Hudson, the BEST OF TIMES, club Paradise (yes, club paradise!) the fisher king, and cadillac man.
I love RW, but oddly enough I prefer him in Good Morning Vietnam or Insomnia than when he goes out of control. If I was given the chance to direct and cast, Williams would be my pick for a drama. For a comedy… I wouldn’t be so sure. I must say also, I’m eager to see SBC in full dramatic mode.
This will be the funniest film of the year. SBC is a comedy genius. I would hope it’s NC-17 and that the studio wouldn’t cut it. It would be the most successful NC-17 and show the way to other filmmakers… in Europe (apart from UK) it would be 15 or under and still make its money there. Remember, Borat was FOR ALL AGES in Sweden, for example and rated R in the US.
Top 3 performances by Robin Williams: Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King and One Hour Photo.
I went to go see bruno thinking it would be great, I bought borat. All i have to say about bruno is if i wanted to see some f–ked up gay guy who seems to be some what of a retard star in a movie about cock madness, i could of saved myself 7.50$ and just done a google search for free… was a complete waste of my time, started alright and went downhill or he went down pretty fast. Not even the best of herbs could make that movie decent.
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