“Hey. What’s up.”

Story: Bobby is a guy who’s big dream is getting NYC’s LGBTQ+ Museum off the ground, but his personal life is a train wreck. Aaron is a guy who’s lawyering his way through life, but his personal life is a train wreck. Can these two extremely commitment-phobic fellas figure out that they’re made for each other? (It’s a rom-com, hon. Guess.)

Genre I’d put it in: Opposites Attract But This Time GAAAAAY
Release Date: 2022
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Harks back to rom-coms of the 90s and early aughts, but is a fresh take on tropes in this well-worn genre.

Gotta say: I am pre-disposed to absolutely love rom-coms. It’s something to do with the happily-ever-after (HEA) I think. Something that rarely seems to happen in real life, but always does in this genre. So, naturally, I enjoyed the ever-lovin’ hell outta Bros. From its in-your-face self aware cheekiness to the actual “shut up, you’re crying” moments, to the inevitable (and super adorable) HEA, Bros is a film that earns a place in this genre. Even though it’s always slyly letting you know that they’re in on the fun, and hey isn’t this a blast? Yes, Bros. Yes it is.

First things first; this is an R-rated film, rom-com or no. So you will be seeing some booty, and a few “touching moments”. This film lets you in on many moments a lot of straights have never known of, from poppers to Provincetown, as well as the hilarious ins-and-outs (winky wink) of Grindr. There are a moments even your best queer pal has never talked to you about. And honestly, I’m good with that; I don’t need to know everything about how my friends do the do. But here in Bros, it’s an important part of the story, because as Billy Eichner’s Bobby tries to get across to his co-workers “Love is not love, our relationships are different!”

Speaking of Bobby’s co-workers, Bros lets us in on the in-fighting that can happen within the LGBTQIA+ community. With a supporting cast that’s got serious comedic chops, they all dig into the “yeah but” thoughts each sub-section has, all the while supporting each other (well, Bobby tries) and being their for each other. It feels like a real group of co-workers, who both love and grate on each other. Meanwhile, Eichner’s Bobby and Luke Macfarlane’s Aaron feel like living, breathing people rather than a random collection of caricature pieces thrown together. Probably because Eichner had a hand in the screenplay, along with Forgetting Sarah Marshall‘s Nicholas Stoller (who also does double-duty as director, so that’s that vibe you’re getting from the way this story unfolds.)

The cameos are a hoot, and I will not sully my review by spoiling them for you. But please believe me they’re fun, and the actors in question are having a blast riffing on the tropes they’ve been given. Plus, I loved how kowtowing to the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride/charity events hits DEFCON 1. A little chuckle at how individuals and corporations will put on a façade of “wokeness”, while perhaps not being quite so with-it. You don’t need to look any further than this here film to see how the facade isn’t exactly doing as much as it might do. So hello y’all – make more movies like this! Heck, switch up the genres too, why don’tcha? Good writing and acting can sell tickets, no matter what. So get to it, Hollywood.

#Protip: The LGBTQ+ Museum Bobby works at isn’t a real thing – yet – but it is coming. Huzzah!!!