Reel Review Roundup

Bros (MA)

Directed by: Nicholas Stoller

Starring: Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane

Review by: Julian Wright

Hyped as being the first gay rom-com from a major film studio, Bros was labelled a cinematic milestone before anyone had seen it. But does first necessarily mean good? Milestone or not, in this case, it is better than good.

Career focused gay podcaster and perpetually single 40-something Bobby (Billy Eichner) is proud to be unattached, a little cynical of the dating pool.

When he meets Aaron (Luke Macfarlane), a straight presenting, gym bunny looks like he was chiseled from marble, it is a classic case of opposites attract.

The two navigate a bumpy friendship/hookup/relationship while Bobby curates the first National LGBTQ+ History Museum in Manhattan.

The rom-com tropes are there but having gay characters lead the story is more than just a surface level twist.

Eichner’s script is sharp, witty, relatable and, most importantly, hilarious, with dialogue that snaps.

Usually rom-coms open big with laughs then the humour settles once the romance part starts to dominate the story, but this is one of the most consistently funny films in a long time, never afraid to have us laughing while we get caught up in the emotional beats of the story.

While some of Eichner’s monologues get a little out of hand and preachy, as a film maker, he has some spot-on observations and satirical jabs at straight and LGBTQ+ culture, dating and life in the 40s.

Bros may be the the first gay rom-com from a major film studio, but it is also one of the best films of 2022.

This entry was posted on November 21, 2022 at 9:05 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.