THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
I guess that when it comes to finding love, you can’t think too hard on how hard it’ll come out.
PLOT
Bros follows Bobby Lieber, an openly gay man who lives in New York and hosts his own podcast/radio show, ‘The Eleventh Brick at Stonewall’. After receiving a ‘Best White Cis Gay Man’ award at an LGBTQ award ceremony, he is offered a position to be a curator for Manhattan’s upcoming LGBTQ+ Natural History Museum. When he spends time with a friend Henry (Guy Branum) at a nightclub promoting a new gay dating app, he meets a man named Aaron Shepherd who works as a testator. Despite Bobby’s attempt to flirt, Aaron doesn’t appear interested until they choose to spend time together afterwards. These periods of time take a while for a stronger connection to be built as both men already have personal opinions towards each other: Bobby thinks Aaron acts too straight for his sexuality, whereas the latter believes the former is too intense and his clout in the gay community makes him intimidating. Their relationship eventually becomes intimate when Aaron would share his dream job to be a chocolatier, but never pursued it when feeling it was unachievable. Another step occurs when Bobby takes him to Provincetown for a semi vacation. With his unexpected help, he is secure a donation for the museum by an eccentric millionaire. Both men would go on to date a few more months and their relationship would be put to the test by the holiday season. Aaron’s family would visit the city for the occasion, which leads to him asking Bobby to tone down his flamboyant behavior. The latter would only let loose on his outspoken attitude in drunken fashion. Aaron would be so upset that he would ditch him to go to a club and hook up with his former schoolmate who recently came out. When Bobby catches them together outside the club, he ends the relationship then and there, despite Aaron’s pleas. Bobby would even act out so much that he would try steroids and have a breakdown at the museum when people threaten to boycott and pull donations over his exhibit theorizing Abraham Lincoln to be gay. Some time after this, he would return to work and apologize to his coworkers for his outburst. All would reconcile with him and agree that they have their own issues, thus compromising on which exhibits will be presented. As this goes on, Aaron pursues his passion to make chocolate and send his proceeds to the museum. When a big crowd turns out for the museum’s opening night, Bobby starts missing Aaron more than ever that he decides to text Aaron and invites him. When he reads it, he is encouraged by his brother to go after him. He arrives in time to hear Bobby’s song he wrote about their relationship. By the end of the song, both men resume their relationship with a kiss, which causes a big applause from the crowd. The film would end with a 3 month time jump, showing the couple on the same page generally but not about having children.
THOUGHTS
I’m never in a rush for movies known for the romance to respectively avoid the feeling of fatigue, but I came around with this one when being aware of how visibly different it was from the past, an openly LGBTQ story with a said principal cast. As someone who has a positive view towards the LGBTQ community, I was very open minded with checking this out and with that, I was able to naturally enjoy it. I generally had a fair share of laughs throughout, particularly the banter between the members of the museum, all of which represent one community each that unify LGBTQ+, and the unexpected cameos that occurred throughout. I was already thrown off with Ben Stiller, Seth Meyers, Amy Schumer & Kenan Thompson doing holograms for the museum, but nothing beat the presence of Debra Messing, who plays an uptight version of herself that is over the praise she’s gotten for Will & Grace. Those moments of laughter definitely helped make the viewing experience more enjoyable, but as I look back, I think the reason this film works as a whole goes to how Director Nicholas Stoller is able to show people you don't have to be different to impress someone, being yourself is all that matters in the end. The more you're honest with the people you love, then the longer/stronger the relationships will become. You wouldn't be able to get this without an impressive dynamic leading duo. Billy Eichner, co writer of this film, has us connect with Bobby very fast by showing him as one who is openly confident and outgoing yet didn't really plan on finding someone special until he did. His relationship with Aaron becomes an opposites attract scenario whereas he is much different from him. Luke Macfarlane portrays the latter as one who doesn't have the same confidence the former does, yet is able to boost it thanks to him. And that is the best part of being in a relationship where the best parts of yourself emerge when you never thought they would. Aaron was definitely more vulnerable because he never trusted himself in doing what he wanted until Bobby entered his life. Seeing him express himself would prove how he was more interesting than boring. I was pissed when he told him to chill before meeting his family because that's super rude, but I don't exactly blame him for acting such. It is a given for someone to act nervously when introducing the other half to the family, which is something that should've been expected. It was definitely hard for Bobby to process that because he always knew how hard it is for him to accept/see himself as not the ideal man others seek to settle down with. Knowing how lucky he was, he rightfully felt betrayed for what he did and said. That put him in the right to break it off because he couldn't risk getting hurt again. When time would pass, he would start missing him because he was comfortable being vulnerable as well. It was too damn sweet to see him sing to Aaron because it showed that forgiveness takes time and it's worth waiting. There is no telling how long their relationship will last after the three month jump, but I believe it'll go on for a long time and it will be the best time of their lives. I generally enjoyed this movie, but like any other film ever made, there were a fair share of confusing moments for me. Like am I the only one wondering how does Aaron disappear so fast? At that speed, I wish he was the Flash instead of Ezra Miller. And why would Bobby shave before sending the ass pic? I know he’s horny but I don’t it’s worth it when you cut your ass. And how does a haunted theme ride work in a museum? Holograms make sense because they’re informative, but I don’t think you’re getting anywhere scaring kids with history. And where did Steve come from during the Provincetown love scene? It’s funny that he gets ignored, but I’m so thrown off how he got involved in the first place. Other than that, I was still able to enjoy the general story as is. In short, Bros is a standout rom com for being the boundary breaker to refresh the genre. If this movie didn't come out during a pandemic, it easily would've gotten its movie back. You want a whole new love story? Give this a chance.
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