Last weekend, from the producers of comedy hits such as “Bridesmaids” and “Trainwreck,” the new revolutionary rom-com “Bros” was released in theaters. The film follows Bobby, an influential gay man who has no desire for a committed relationship, as he meets and continuously runs into a similarly guarded lawyer, Aaron. As the two of them spend more time together, their encounters grow from casual and labelless hangouts to some semblance of a relationship.
By far the powerhouse of the film is star and co-writer, Billy Eichner. His character is portrayed with the same sarcastic and dry humor that Eichner himself is known for. Although most of his dialogue is witty and cold, Eichner also offers some moments of vulnerability and sweetness that his past work has not showcased. Opposite Eichner is Hallmark star Luke Macfarlane as Aaron. His endearing simplicity, while certainly cheesy, is the perfect foil to Eichner’s brazen exterior. Together, these two create some adorable moments, along with the token drama of all classic rom-coms.
In terms of the plot, “Bros” follows the outline of most Hallmark movies. Aside from the minor differences in character and setting, the script could be substituted with most cheesy movies of the past few decades. The major difference between “Bros” and any other Hallmark movie, aside from the sexuality of the main couple, is the humor. While some of the bits get old after the first few tries, overall the comedy is witty and fun, all while catering to a wide age range.
Despite the 90% Rotten Tomatoes score, some of the film's creators are dissatisfied with the reception of “Bros.” On Oct. 2, Eichner tweeted that “straight people just didn’t show up for 'Bros.’" While the lack of people going to see the movie has negatively impacted the box office, it does not seem to have any detrimental effects on those who did see the movie, most of whom walked away with very positive takes.
While the film may not be destined for the Academy Awards or go down as one of the best movies of 2022, it does fill theaters with riotous laughter and leave a nice, fuzzy feeling inside. Although the film industry may be filled to the brim with movies that follow the exact plotline of “Bros,” seeing more positive LGBTQ+ inclusion in major media is certainly a step in the right direction that sets the film apart and makes it worth watching.
