Bros
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Writer: Billy Eichner, Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane, Guy Branum, Jim Rash, Debra Messing, Bowen Yang
Reason for watching: New Comedy release from the Billy on the Street guy
Number of times I’ve watched it: first time viewing
***
True comedies are rare these days. Not for a lack of attempts or lack of movies branding themselves as comedies, but because finding genuinely funny people and giving them the proper opportunities to shine is difficult. In 2022 a “comedy” can mean casting an influencer, re-writing an old movie, and doing a gender swap of said old movie (that very specific barb was directed at Netflix). Or it can mean casting Deadpool in a Grand Theft Auto-esque world and having him discover his own sentience while mining the movie for every possible pop cultural reference (that very specific barb was directed at Ryan Reynolds…except I actually like that movie). Honestly, comedy has become such a broad spectrum that it can be hard to identify at times. But movies like Bros are what help bring me back to the comedy genre. Talent like Billy Eichner and directing from Nicholas Stoller make two hours at the theater incredibly enjoyable.
Bobby Lieber (Eichner) is an LGBTQ+ museum curator and podcast host who is resolvedly single. He has hookups and flings from time to time, but a real connection is not something in his sights. One night he meets Aaron (Luke Macfarlane) while out on the town. While the two do not exactly have a meet cute there is definitely a spark between them. Bros follows their journey together and deals with their feelings for one another as they go on various adventures. From attending fun parties, going to popular vacation islands, and meeting Aaron’s parents, their bond grows stronger together, but they still must overcome their fear of relationships.
Behind the writing of Eichner and Stoller, the entire cast shines. There is no gross-out humor here. No crappy one-liners. Just fun conversations and situations that make for pure comedy. This is not to say that a properly placed fart or sex joke cannot make me laugh, but by avoiding them for the most part it keeps from cheapening the quality of the movie. Sure there are topical jokes and situations that are not safe for kids, but none of it felt forced or low-brow. For that, these two excellent writers deserve credit for their work.
Eichner deserves immense praise for the success of this movie as his performance is the centerpiece of it all. His delivery and timing are second to none. Each quippy one-liner landed for me. I do not think there was a single joke that I did not laugh at. He also shows that the same delivery he uses as a comedic actor can be used in a dramatic sense. When those tense third-act scenes happen where our romantic leads clash or talk about their feelings, he comes through. He makes Bobby feel relatable and believable in ways that usually escape the leads of romantic comedies. It is this range he has that really solidifies this movie in my mind.
One of the other strong elements of the movie is the talented support behind Eichner and Macfarlane. Comedic actors and comedians like Guy Branum, Jim Rash, and Bowen Yang fill up the cast. Each one of them adds talent to fill in the holes behind our leads. Also, a timely and hilarious appearance from Debra Messing as herself adds to it all.
All in all, it is a fun time at the theater. I wish Bros had come out a little earlier in the year where it could have had time to shine at the box office and make some real money. But that won’t take away from its quality in my mind. It’s a good, fun comedy. And we need more of that.
8/10
Until I see another one.