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Are the Parents in ‘Bruno’ Really That Negligent?
And you thought only the gay community would potentially be offended by Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Brüno.” Turns out any parent or guardian with young children may be appalled by at least one scene in the shock comedy about a flaming fashionista who will go to any lengths to be famous. 
Before the movie was released, the trailer revealed that Brüno adopts an African child and (ahem) names him O.J. But the preview doesn’t show Brüno’s attempt to orchestrate a photo shoot involving his young charge, including an effort to recruit some other babes and toddlers to join the lil’ guy.
Naturally the casting process for said photo shoot is questionable. But numerous parents seem more than willing to play along with Cohen/Brüno’s insane demands.
“Is your baby comfortable with bees, wasps or hornets?” he asks one mom.
“Sure, he’s comfortable with anything,” she insists, waving off the mere idea that stinging insects could prevent her son from this amazing opportunity.
“Is he comfortable with dying or dead animals?” Brüno asks one father.
“Yes,” he confirms.
It goes on like this, with Brüno’s questions growing more outrageous — “Does she always have to be in a carseat or can she just, like, freestyle it?” — and the parents remaining equally calm and agreeable. The climax? When Brüno asks one mother if she’s comfortable having her baby wear a tiny Nazi uniform while pretending to push another baby into an oven. The response? That’s great, as long as it means the kid stays in the picture.
As I did many times while watching this movie, I questioned whether these parents were really as clueless (and negligent) as they seemed. Did they honestly not know they were part of a ridiculous stunt? Or, perhaps, did the filmmakers share information with them that might partially explain their answers, but that we don’t see on film?
I find it really, really hard to believe all these moms/dads/guardians could be so out to lunch. But maybe I’m naive. Watch a portion of the scene in this clip and let me know what you think. Did Cohen take advantage of some innocent stage moms and dads, or are the parents to blame for being so celebrity-obsessed that they’ll go to any lengths to get their kids on camera? Or is everybody involved in on the joke and just playing along to entertain moviegoers?
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6 Comments
Orly commented on Jul 13 09 at 3:10 pm“…innocent stage moms and dads…”
Riiight.
WSP commented on Jul 13 09 at 3:15 pmIt’s my understanding that unlike “Borat,” nearly everyone in “Bruno” was in on the joke. And honestly, what stage parent even halfway tuned to popular culture wouldn’t recognize Cohen’s characters?
Tom commented on Jul 16 09 at 12:02 amSome of the parents looked like they were in on the joke while some did not. Generally speaking, I think they all knew what was really going on.
Miles commented on Jul 25 09 at 8:27 pmThey did not know it was a gag. They most definitely would do anything to get in tv or movies, and if their baby were to be injured or worse, they would be just as happy because then they would have a lawsuit and a chance at some real money. Sadly to say, that is that IS the culture we now live in.
Elsa commented on Jul 31 09 at 8:20 amThe purpose of Cohen’s movies is to show the shocking side of reality, making it funny and at the same time reprehensible, so that the mistakes the society makes are more obvious than in just a plain reportage. If the parents were in on the joke, then what message does the movie have? None. The parents clearly weren’t, because which reasonable parent would play in such a joke on their own will and have all their friends and relatives be appalled? All they wanted was to get their babies in the movie at any cost. Just like in Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather”, where the mother lets her 11 year old daughter have sex with the director, so that the kid can play in the movie.
Tannaked1 commented on Apr 09 11 at 2:23 amNo, I don’t think the parents were in on it at all. I absolutely believe these disgusting people would subject their children to these things. Watch the “Jamie Kennedy Experiment” episode where he pitches “Kid Island” watch “Toddlers and Tiaras”. These parents are disgusting people and I have a few comments to them. The mom who says her child doesn’t mind not wearing a carseat, well she should not mind taking a razor to that mustache of hers and may shedding about 30 pounds, as well as the mom with the tan boot, maroon sweater, ensemble who says she would be willing to get her daughter to lose 10 pounds..hello..how about you losing 20 and cutting your damaged scraggly ass hair. Oh and the 50n year old dad who says his kid is cool with dying and dead animals..do something with your brassy hair.. you people disgust me and I hope you get shit about this everyday, every time you go to Ralphs or Vons and mainly, I hope your kids hold a major grudge against you. Sorry your fat asses couldn’t make it, don’t try and live vicariously through your kids. If you have a problem with me, find me on facebook, the name is Sarah Een. I’m the gorgeous skinny, childless one who does whatever selfish thing I want because I don’t have children.
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