Vassup?!

My money was among the $30 million that went this weekend to Sacha Baron Cohen's new "gotcha-mentary," Bruno. There's probably no way to talk about this film and not compare it to his earlier effort, Borat, so let's just jump right in with that: Bruno is not as good, but still very funny.

This is a more uneven film than Borat. When the laughs come, they are bigger, deeper laughs. But there are also more dead spaces. With its short run time, the dead spaces are never long enough to bring down the movie, but it does occasionally have to build momentum back up that it had already had going.

More lawsuits are sure to result from this film as it did with Borat, because there are an awful lot of people that come off in various degrees of stupid, intolerant, or downright scary. On the harmless end of the spectrum are a bubbly pair of young women who work for a "charity PR firm" that don't seem to actually know anything about any cause other than what's trendy. On the someone-really-ought-to-get-in-there-and-do-something end of the spectrum are a series of parents willing to do anything to their babies to get them a break in show business.

Hat's off to Cohen for once again playing a crazed part to the hilt. A friend I went to see the movie with remarked that he might be our generation's Peter Sellers, and it seems a good comparison -- Cohen occasionally takes a relatively normal part in a movie, but is soon back playing something so far over the top that few other actors could even attempt it.

But the real hero of the movie is a man none of us has ever heard of, Gustaf Hammarsten, in the role of Bruno's assistant('s assistant), Lutz. He must be absolutely real in every single moment as impossible insanity rages around him, and he's just perfect. Pun not intended, but he is the best "straight man" in any comedy I've seen in years.

Overall, I'd rate the movie a B. You probably know already if you'd have the stomach or desire for this movie; know that you'll probably enjoy it if you were planning to go.