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jawnbcYesterday was all about the funk. No, not da funk, the funk. I think the cumulative effect of several days of neck spasm, combined with newly prescribed muscle relaxants gave me a bit of the blues. Very strange though: literally I felt my mood drop in a matter of moments.
But I am a doctor, so I prescribed myself a dose of Brüno. And while I wouldn't call it genius--or, in fact, a really good movie even--I do think it's an important film. Though based on some of the scenes I'm surprised Sasha Baron Cohen wasn't murdered during the shooting. Seriously.
The plot of the film is stoopid. Mindless, lame even. But its premise allows a flamboyant, crude gay man to enter into spaces where the potential for homophobia is rife. And in a number of these scenes, I very much feared for Baron Cohen's safety.
This film is not a positive depiction of queer men...but it's not supposed to be. What Brüno achieves though, is provoke a visceral reaction, amongst the people he interacts with, as well as in the audience watching. Yes, the dildo and kinky sex and dick gags are juvenile and often cringe-worthy. But it's the reactions of people to them that's so important. See the hate and disgust in people's eyes--seeing, in fact, what happens when someone queer crosses the line between being "acceptable" and "perverted", a line that is often arbitrary--reveals that tolerance has its limits. Surprisingly narrow limits at that.
Some bits are just stoopid though, like the adoption and reality TV schtick. But what Brüno does especially well is highlight the difference between tolerance, acceptance, and celebration. Just how conditional tolerance is if you're not a "just like everyone else" queer. But also, just how full of shite many religionists are when it comes to "love thy neighbour".
Brüno also was a good reminder that I've not entirely lost my internalized homophobia. I recommend seeing it.
But I am a doctor, so I prescribed myself a dose of Brüno. And while I wouldn't call it genius--or, in fact, a really good movie even--I do think it's an important film. Though based on some of the scenes I'm surprised Sasha Baron Cohen wasn't murdered during the shooting. Seriously.
The plot of the film is stoopid. Mindless, lame even. But its premise allows a flamboyant, crude gay man to enter into spaces where the potential for homophobia is rife. And in a number of these scenes, I very much feared for Baron Cohen's safety.
This film is not a positive depiction of queer men...but it's not supposed to be. What Brüno achieves though, is provoke a visceral reaction, amongst the people he interacts with, as well as in the audience watching. Yes, the dildo and kinky sex and dick gags are juvenile and often cringe-worthy. But it's the reactions of people to them that's so important. See the hate and disgust in people's eyes--seeing, in fact, what happens when someone queer crosses the line between being "acceptable" and "perverted", a line that is often arbitrary--reveals that tolerance has its limits. Surprisingly narrow limits at that.
Some bits are just stoopid though, like the adoption and reality TV schtick. But what Brüno does especially well is highlight the difference between tolerance, acceptance, and celebration. Just how conditional tolerance is if you're not a "just like everyone else" queer. But also, just how full of shite many religionists are when it comes to "love thy neighbour".
Brüno also was a good reminder that I've not entirely lost my internalized homophobia. I recommend seeing it.
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no subject
Date: 2009-07-19 07:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-19 08:56 pm (UTC)I think I want to see Brüno again. The parts he gets right (that you mention) are great. The payoff in the wrestling arena is really worth the film (as you say how quickly the hate comes out ... how agitated the masses become).
But I had a real hard time with him mocking the peace effort in the Mideast ... being an ass to a terrorist ... and being inappropriate at an orgy.
I hate people being inappropriate at an orgy! Even if it does expose the bisexual double standard in the typical swingers scene.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-20 10:24 am (UTC)Well said.
And this also comes from within the gay community. While I have no problems with very very very feminine man, I have to admit that the opposite: a very very very masculine woman sometimes makes me cringe. And that's not fair, I know it's not.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-23 07:27 am (UTC)