Bros

 

I've long been a fan of the romantic comedy genre. It's a deceptively tough genre to get right, as so much hangs not only on the conventions of the genre itself and how fresh of a story the film is telling but also the chemistry between the two leads. Of course, it also helps if the film is actually funny. I am happy to report that Bros, the new rom-com from Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller, succeeds on all these fronts. It is charming, romantic and frequently very funny. 

Bobby Lieber (played by Billy Eichner) hosts a successful LGBTQIA themed podcast, The Eleventh Brick of Stonewall, and also is on the board of a soon to open LGBTQIA History Museum in New York. He claims to be fine being single and finds fulfillment in his work...and the occasional Grindr hookup. On a night out with his friend Henry (played by Guy Branum), Bobby crosses paths with Aaron Shepherd (played by Luke Macfarlane), who Henry tells Bobby, is hot but boring. Still, the men keep bumping into each other over the course of the evening, each time have some snarky banter and each time Aaron suddenly disappearing on Bobby. When Bobby finally attempts to make a move, it is quickly rebuffed and the two part ways. Yet, a couple days later, Aaron texts Bobby out of the blue and after some back and forth banter over text, the two agree to hang out. As the two begin to spend more time together, it becomes clear that in many ways they are two very different people and yet a undeniable attraction exists between them nonetheless as they navigate their burgeoning relationship.

The film was directed by Nicholas Stoller from a script he wrote with Billy Eichner. Together, the two manage to craft a film that at once both subverts and honors the conventions of the romantic comedy genre. Stoller and Eichner mine a lot of humor out of gay relationships as well as the nature of dating in the age of apps like Grindr that really hit home for me as a gay man myself. They balance this with a very heartfelt look into both Bobby and Aaron's insecurities, giving the film an emotional weight in addition to the hearty laughs. It really helped me get more invested in both characters and really want to see them work things out to wind up together at the end (which is a foregone conclusion, honestly). The film also runs longer than the usual Rom-Com, clocking in at nearly two hours, but I never once felt it as I was watching it.         

The film has amassed an impressive cast that consists of entirely out LGBTQ actors, even in the straight roles, which I thought was a cool touch. Billy Eichner does great as Bobby Lieber. Of course, there are elements of the well established Billy Eichner persona on display throughout, with plenty of loud, smart-alecky moments with his character, but there are also moments where he allows his character to be more vulnerable and his insecurities come through, especially when he worries that he isn't what Aaron really wants in a potential boyfriend. It's a really heartfelt and relatable performance that hit home for me at several points in the film. Luke Macfarlane is great as Aaron and matches Billy Eichner as they trade witty one liners. But, like Eichner, he nails the deeper part of his character as well as Aaron starts to question the choices he made in life and wonders if he played it too safe. They also have fantastic chemistry with one another which made it easy to get invested in their burgeoning relationship. Guy Branum is a hoot as Bobby's friend Henry and I enjoyed his sassy repartee with Billy. Dot-Marie Jones, Jim Rash, Eve Lindley, Miss Lawrence, and TS Madison are hilarious as the other members of the Museum board Bobby is a part of as they all try to deal with the various issues of trying to get the museum up and running. Bowen Yang makes a cameo appearance as a potential investor in the museum and is hilarious as he pitches a very unique potential exhibit. 

Bros is a Romantic Comedy that manages to pull off both parts of it's genre quite well. It's genuinely romantic while also packing plenty of hearty laughs. The film has a fantastic cast and everyone delivers, including an assortment of cameos I wouldn't dare spoil. It's a fresh and funny entry in a beloved genre that we see far too little of in theatres these days, especially and LGBTQ centric one like this.