Watch They Call Me Bruce?
- PG
- 1982
- 1 hr 27 min
-
5.6 (1,867)
They Call Me Bruce? is a comedy film from 1982 that stars Johnny Yune as Bruce Won, a Korean immigrant who gets mistaken for a martial arts expert. The movie starts with Bruce working at a Chinese restaurant, where he accidentally gets caught up in a fight with a group of thugs. To his surprise, he discovers that he has a natural talent for martial arts, and he becomes the talk of the town.
Bruce's newfound fame attracts the attention of a group of gangsters who want to use his skills for their own nefarious purposes. They kidnap his sister and force him to cooperate with them, and Bruce must use his wit and charm to outsmart them at every turn.
The humor in They Call Me Bruce? is largely based on cultural misunderstandings and stereotypes. Bruce frequently finds himself in situations where his Korean heritage clashes with American cultural norms, leading to many awkward and hilarious moments. For example, he assumes that all Americans are wealthy and carries around a large wad of cash, which attracts the attention of the bad guys. He also struggles to communicate with people who don't speak Korean, even though he's been living in America for years.
Despite its sometimes offensive humor, the movie has a lighthearted, goofy charm that makes it easy to forgive its flaws. Johnny Yune is an endearing protagonist, and his performance carries the film. He's a little hapless and seems to stumble into trouble at every turn, but his earnestness and determination make him a likable underdog.
The supporting cast is largely forgettable, with the possible exception of Margaux Hemingway, who plays a beautiful model who catches Bruce's eye. She serves mainly as a love interest and a plot device, but she does have some funny scenes with Yune.
The fight scenes in the movie are intentionally cheesy, with clearly staged punches and over-the-top sound effects. However, this only adds to the film's charm, as it's clear that the filmmakers didn't take themselves too seriously. The movie is also filled with slapstick humor, with Bruce frequently getting hit by falling objects, slipping on banana peels, and other classic comedy gags.
Despite its flaws, They Call Me Bruce? is a fun, silly movie that's perfect for a lazy afternoon. Its jokes may not always land, but its heart is in the right place. If you're a fan of martial arts movies or comedies that don't take themselves too seriously, check out They Call Me Bruce? the next time you're in the mood for a good laugh.
They Call Me Bruce? is a 1982 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.