RickInOz

A reference to American sub-culture for interest. And a lead in to another rant.

Recently we took the opportunity to watch Sacha Baron Cohen’s most recent offering Brüno. I’ll summarise by saying it was 2 hours of my life I want back. “Abysmally atrociously abhorrent” would also come close.

For the benefit of those who haven’t, nor shouldn’t, watch this abomination, the basic premise is of a caricature (this time the aforementioned Brüno, but Borat and Ali G were cut from similar cloth) who seeks to push the boundaries of common decency in an effort to embarrass, or humiliate, real people. That those subject are unwitting and unaware participants would be bad enough. After all, such glee at other’s discomfort is the type of practical joke that even children have graduated beyond. But Cohen has pulled an even nastier trick. No longer is it enough just to laugh while they cringe, but this time we have been invited to find humour while their sensibilities are pushed to breaking point.

Increasingly, taboo has been challenged. What is considered acceptable by today’s standards would, very likely, have been distinctly risqué no more than a few decades ago. Swear words have ceased to have the impact they once had. The bawdy comedies of the 70s now give way to sexual openness and a rewriting of film classifications. So, movie producers have to raise the bar ever higher if they want to push their audience’s “thrill button”. It may also be that Gen Y is so struck by apathy that they simply can’t be shocked any more.

Cohen must have realised this as the very purpose of his film seems to be to relish in those who are still thin-skinned. No surprise then, that his last two films have depended on the bigotry and insular attitudes of the American Deep South. Even the Top Gear producers have made the most of this accessible, yet exploitable society.

In other words, the film is simply about deliberately causing offence … for the sake of causing offence. This time the aim is not to target the audience, nor challenge their comfort level. But instead, there is clearly a deliberate intent to provoke the film’s subjects and revel in their uncomfortable and unfettered reactions. Then, those responses are presented in a manner aimed to ridicule. And, in so doing, the film hits rock bottom.

What does it say about a film producer that he has to resort to puerile taunting of those guaranteed to take the bait. There was nothing cerebral nor articulate in the film. I’d even challenge whether it could be seen as a subtle commentary on the prevalence of prejudice still extant in some parts of the world. Instead, it’s merely a cheaply made exploitation flick aimed at the type of moron who thinks it’s funny to belittle the value set of others.

For shame, Mr Cohen, for shame.