Bruno movie wins ratings battle

Sacha Baron Cohen found fame as Ali G on Channel 4's 11 O'Clock show

Sacha Baron Cohen's latest film, Bruno, has succeeded in getting its age rating lowered in the US, despite initial objections from censors.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) wanted to give the film the restrictive NC-17 rating, banning anyone aged under 17 from watching it.

But producers re-edited the movie and resubmitted it, achieving an R rating.

Early reviews of the film, based on Baron Cohen's gay fashion TV reporter character, have largely been positive.

"I saw Bruno last night. It beyond delivered," wrote Hollywood director Ruben Fleischer on his blog.

"After Borat, I thought there was no way he could do it again, but he did it and then some. So good."

On movie gossip website Joblo, one reviewer wrote: "If laughter is good for you, I just burned about 1000 calories."

Spoof

Like Baron Cohen's Borat film, Bruno takes the style of a faux documentary, with the comedian putting unsuspecting interviewees through a string of awkward situations.

Those caught out this time are rumoured to include Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ben Affleck.

According to trade paper Variety, the MPAA originally objected to several sexual scenes in the film.

The deleted sequences are likely to be saved for the DVD release, it added.

The R rating means that children aged under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian if they want to see the film.

In explaining its decision, the MPAA cited the movie's "pervasive strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity and language".

The film is due for release on 10 July.

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