Watch The Return of Bruno
- 1987
- 56 min
-
5.9 (503)
The Return of Bruno is a 1980s musical mockumentary that stars Bruce Willis as the titular character, Bruno Radolini. The movie is a satirical look at the music industry, and it is based on a fictional character that Bruce Willis had created for himself. The movie features appearances from various celebrities, including musician Jon Bon Jovi, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, and musician and actor Meat Loaf.
The film opens with a sequence in which Bruce Willis, playing himself, is sitting in a studio and reflecting on his alter ego, Bruno. He describes the character as a gifted musician who had a meteoric rise to fame in the 1960s, only to disappear from the public eye in the 1970s. Willis then takes on the guise of Bruno and proceeds to tell the story of his life and his return to the music scene.
Throughout the movie, we are treated to a mix of fictionalized accounts of Bruno's past and present-day segments featuring Bruce Willis and the celebrity guests. The story is told in a tongue-in-cheek manner, and the jokes are often self-deprecating. For instance, we see Willis poke fun at himself for being a Hollywood actor trying his hand at music.
As the movie progresses, we learn more about Bruno's career trajectory. He started out as a crooner in the 1950s, but it wasn't until the 1960s that he became a huge success. At the height of his fame, Bruno had a string of hit records and was known for his electrifying live performances. However, his career soon came to a halt when he became embroiled in a scandal involving a young starlet.
After the scandal, Bruno retreated from the public eye and lived in obscurity for many years. However, he is now back and eager to prove that he still has what it takes to make it in the music industry.
The Return of Bruno features several musical performances, with Bruce Willis singing in character as Bruno. The songs are a mix of original tracks and covers of classic tunes from the 1950s and 1960s. Although Willis is not an accomplished singer, he throws himself into the role with gusto, and his performances are surprisingly entertaining.
The movie's celebrity guests also get to showcase their musical talents. Jon Bon Jovi performs a rendition of "Runaway" with Willis/Bruno, while Ringo Starr contributes drums to several tracks. Meat Loaf plays a fictional music producer who is responsible for Bruno's comeback.
Overall, The Return of Bruno is a fun, lighthearted movie that is sure to entertain fans of both Bruce Willis and music documentaries. While it is not a serious examination of the music industry, it is a successful satire that pokes fun at the various clichés and conventions of the genre. With its mix of original songs, covers, and celebrity appearances, The Return of Bruno is an enjoyable romp through the world of music.