July
13
Bruno: Good Opening, Bad Buzz; Harry Potter Clips
It was utterly predictable. On the strength of audience curiosity stoked by Universal's mammoth (and expensive) global marketing campaign, Bruno opened to a solid opening day, followed by a dramatic drop-off due to catastrophic word-of-mouth.
Reviews were mixed (55% on Metacritic). Some critics appreciated Sacha Baron Cohen and Larry Charles' confrontative shock tactics that pushed moviegoer buttons. The Voice's J. Hoberman addresses both Bruno and Lynn Shelton's micro-budget indie flick Humpday. The Guardian analyzes Baron Cohen's sexual neuroses, while the NYT checks out his costume designer. But At the Movies' mainstream Two Bens were typical: neither recommended that audiences "see" the film.
Anyone who has ever been to an exhibitors' convention like ShoWest knows that while American moviegers have a huge appetite for raunchy comedies, they are made extremely uncomfortable about sex unless it is really really funny in a way that relieves anxiety. Americans tend to be skittish about explicit sex (Showgirls, Striptease). Up-close man-on-man sex, real-life swingers and sado-masochism don't fall inside their comfort zone. Finally, the Puritan ethic lives on.
Unfortunately for Bruno, its opening weekend was its one shot--the fall from grace will continue. Besides, audiences will be distracted by some very pleasant summer nights at the movies. With just-about universal appeal, Wednesday opener Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (see clips below) could dethrone the mighty Transformers:ROTF (although that is tall order) and on the specialty front, Fox Searchlight's anti-romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer will score, pushing Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt into the rising stars category.
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The people I've talked to after the show were all about the word of mouth. What these critics are referring to is lifestyle stereo types and fear of exposure, fear of homophobes.
These reviews miss the point. Word of mouth is that Bruno is disturbingly hilarious. This will give Bruno legs.
Watch.
Posted by: John | July 13, 2009 at 09:32 AM
Like I said before on an eariler post Bruno is for me the funniest film of the year. Disgusting? You bet! It's supposed to make you squirm. That's why I like it. It's a risk taking ballsy movie and that's what makes it do great for me
As for that new Harry Potter film...YAWN.. I thought it was turgid, plodding bore, but incredibly photographed. The most beautuifully photographed film I've seen this year (Makes Public Enemies look like your uncle's home movie) O.K. I admit I've never read the books and I have never seen what the big deal is with these films. I've seen every one (and for me if you've seen one HP film you've seen them all) and I find them long winded and confusing. I have NO idea what's going on in these films with all those silly made up words.
And I have to admit I find Harry annoying. If I had magic wand and magic powers, then I woud just be conjuring money, fast cars and even faster women. I mean I'm a guy right? So is Harry, so what's his problem?
Posted by: Sergio | July 13, 2009 at 12:18 PM