BROS – A Review by Cynthia Flores
This fall, Universal Pictures proudly presents the first romantic comedy from a major studio that, wait for it, stars and is co-written by an openly gay man, Billy Eichner. The film is about two gay men in New York who maybe, possibly, probably, stumble toward love. Maybe. They’re both very busy.
Bros tells the story of Bobby Leiber (Billy Eichner). He is a cis-gendered white gay man who, by his forties, has a successful career in podcasting and is the head of a new museum about to open in NYC. It will be the first museum entirely about LGBTQ History. Working, or rather arguing with his museum board of bi-sexual, transgendered, lesbian, and nonbinary people. They are determined to raise the extra money needed to open the museum finally.
Life is stressful, and Bobby is doing his thing when he meets the beautiful and out-of-his-league Aaron Shepard (Luke Macfarlane). He’s a lawyer who hates his job and blows off steam at the dance clubs where he hooks up with people for casual sex. In proper rom-com fashion, both men lock eyes across the crowded dance floor, and it’s on.
As all rom-coms dictate, there will be swoon-worthy moments like someone running down a street towards the one they finally realize they care for. Mixed, of course, with heartfelt comedy about finding sex, love, and romance amidst the madness of the NYC dating scene. This film is just like every other romantic comedy ever made, except it’s about two dudes trying to figure it all out.
When asked why he greenlighted this project, executive producer Judd Apatow is quoted as saying: “When I produce movies like this, I try to tell people about writing from their heart. Telling the kind of story that forces them to dig deep into who they are and their experiences. I am a big fan of Billy Eichner, who did just that with this script. Making this a very honest and very funny movie about relationships. As we say, he went there, and he’s telling the truth. I think that is why audiences will connect with it.”
Bros is not for everyone because of its frank and funny portrayal of Billy Eichner’s idea of the nonchalant sex scene in NYC in the gay community. Unlike most PG romcoms, the two people falling in love don’t just bounce into bed, and we see them both the following day with big smiles on their faces. Bros has an R rating for a reason. However, the sex scenes are not done to titillate but instead to move the storyline forward. And I did mention that they are cringe-worthy funny at times, right?
I give Bros 4-stars. It’s not for anyone easily offended by “man on man on man” sex. Yes, I got the count right. But Bros is a funny and welcome part of the new rom-com landscape.
Directed by: Nicholas Stoller
Written by: Billy Eichner, Nicholas Stoller
Rated: R
Selig Rating: 4 Stars
Running Time: 1hr 55min
Comedy/ Romantic
Release: In Theaters only on September 30th
Starring: Luke Macfarlane, Billy Eichner, Kristin Chenoweth, Debra Messing
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
