YNOT at the Movies

It has been a long time coming for the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights since the Stonewall Riot that occurred more than five decades ago. The media, entertainment, and social climate on this issue have shifted dramatically. It's about time for a major Hollywood studio to release a gay romantic comedy "Bros" (USA 2022 | 115 min.), that aims to make laughs not just for the queer audience, but also for the mass public to laugh with them. The film is directed by Nicholas Stoller, who shares the writing credits for this film with the film's lead actor, Billy Eichner. It contains plenty of sharp and funny dialogues that are catchy and sometimes pointed, while telling a reasonably convincing story with a largely queer cast.

Even though time has changed and this film is no longer centered on discrimination, AIDS, or homophobia, it nevertheless renders many rants and screams, mostly by the film's protagonist, Bobby Leiber (Billy Eichner). Bobby is a very single 40-year-old podcast creator living in New York City. He is also the director of the upcoming LGBTQ+ History Museum (actually, there is such a museum in the making in NYC).

While hooking up on gay dating apps, Bobby claims to be single by choice, even though that might be a cover for his own insecurity for not being able to commit to a relationship. Well, he is certainly not alone. On a night out at a gay club with his friend Henry (Guy Branum), Bobby spots a hunky stud Aaron Shepard (Luke Macfarlane) who also chooses to be single but plays around.

The encounter doesn't turn out the way as Bobby has hopped, but predictably they go on dates and start to deal with the gay drama both at home and at Bobby's work. While they are dating (or whatever they want to label it), Bobby lives up to his podcaster reputation, and he almost never stops talking and complaining. In one scene at the beach, Bobby gives a prolonged monologue about confidence, as if the beach chair is a couch in a psychotherapist's office. However, he often has a point.

Will they fall in love despite the physique and personality differences? I will leave the answer to you, with a hint that this is a Hollywood production, not an indie art house flick.

The film aims to make laughter, and it succeeds quite often. Even though some arguments are provocative and raise a few eyebrows, the overall tone is lighthearted. Although the story is not quite plausible, with terrific performances from an entirely LGBTQ+ principal cast, it manages to get by and let the audience enjoy the comedy.

One thing the film does establish well is to show the audience that a gay relationship is just as messy, complex, difficult, ridiculous, enduring, and hard to maintain as a straight relationship. It's okay to laugh about it or make fun of it in this film, just like in many other straight romantic comedies. The LGBTQ+ folks are not that much different from the rest of the population, although Bobby certainly disagrees and is very vocal about that in this film.

"Bros" opens on Friday, September 30, 2022.