The romantic comedy genre is ideally a safe, fun experience, and usually is a film that doesn’t have to rewrite the successful formula. Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller have teamed up to create their own spin on the formulaic model that both pokes fun at the idea of doing just that, while also delivering a fully realised story that can stand in its own right. Working with Universal studios, this is also a historic moment for films, with the first all-LGBTQ+ principal cast for a major motion picture coming together to make this creation a reality.

The comedic genius of Billy Eichner is heavily layered through the film and the opening cinematics both sets the tone for the film and looks to address the concerns of making a rom-com featuring a gay couple. Bobby (Billy Eichner) unloads on his digital followers during a live podcast about how he was approached to make a gay rom-com and how he refused on the principle that it would come across as trying to meet an agender, that the antics of the film would have to appeal to a wider audience to be successful.

The charismatic and rapid-fire wit from Billy was hysterical for the most part, It could wear you down after a while, but it did help to articulate the corner that he may have felt in real life when trying to make this film happen in the first place, and it was a practical approach to break the ice to allow for the film itself to open up.

The backbone of the film builds off Bobby who has spearheaded his dream to open the first LGBTQ+ history museum to preserve the moments in history that are not taught in mainstream education. This passion project has been struggling to get off the ground and the apprehensive behaviour of Bobby manifests through him in smart and clever dialogue.

The high-strung Bobby then clashes with Aaron (Luke Macfarlane) who resembles the “bro” type that would typically be off-putting for Bobby. Aaron’s reserved demeanour and direct approach challenged Bobby’s perceptions in a brief interaction, which in turn caused Bobby’s defensive nature to challenge Aaron on his approach.

The old saying, “when there is smoke, it will lead to fire,” analogy was evident in their introduction, and the jitters of figuring out how to follow up on this were half the fun of the film. The rhythmic fashion of the two struggling with their self-sufficient lives that have never had time for a structured relationship, while a little on the nose at times, helped to steer the film back to the ultimate feel-good goals of a romantic comedy troupe. The only reason I mention this was the self-aware humour of the film pointed at both the “traditional rom-com” and “new idea rom-com,” even going as far as showcasing in-universe films that played on the TVs that were making fun of the hallmark style pitch that was now “inclusive” for sake of it.

The inevitable bumps in the road during the middle act of the film came in a more grounded fashion in my opinion. The high-functioning antics of Bobby and the easy-going nature of Aaron both manifested in character flaws that affect those around them in impactful ways. Bobby held a level of disdain for having to contain himself for the most influential portion of his life, and he used that drive to make a better place for those who will come after him.

Aaron, having repressed his true self, yet being able to find comfort in his lifestyle, showed how differently people can respond to the same situation. One trying to make the other come out and the other trying to pull them back in was an interesting dynamic and played out organically as they struggled to meet in the middle.

Bros, on the surface, looks to be a film that set out to challenge the ideas of the status quo, whereas in reality, just wants to be treated like any other film. The complexity of how the human psyche manifests differently in everyone is the key takeaway and is told through consistent self-aware humour that spreads the jokes evenly. No, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and the ending can run dangerously close to the cliché, but it achieves what any good rom-com sets out to do, to make you laugh, feel, and take away a smile.

Written by: Shane Fletcher