Mike says Bruno is poking fun at the bad guys:
Unlike other scenarios involving these kinds of stereotyped gay characters in pop culture's history, the joke’s not on Bruno in the end, but rather on everyone else. In this way Bruno reminded me of Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde – a woman whose shopping-obsessed, spoiled-brat persona would make any feminist cringe, but who ultimately triumphs in the end, beating out the men and having fun doing it. Perhaps not the most progressive way to make a point, but it’s a comedy. Have a few laughs.I was talking to a straight friend last night who had the same take on the film after seeing it. He said the gags are all made at the expense of bigots, so in essence the film is mocking them and not us - rather, it's using someone ridiculously over-the-top flamboyant in order to really get the goat of the bigots. I haven't seen the film. I did see Cohen on the Today Show. I found his appearance odd, and not funny, but not quite offensive either. Just very odd. Hank Steuver of the Washington Post, who is gay, had the reaction several of my other friends hand - a tad confused as to whether this was good, bad, or what - but still, not a great feeling after the fact. Anyone out there seen it?
