Film Review: BROS (2022): Billy Eichner is Terrific in a Wonderfully Unique and Charming Romantic Comedy

Bros Review

Bros (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Nicholas Stoller, written by Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller and starring Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane, Guy Branum, Miss Lawrence, TS Madison, Dot-Marie Jones, Jim Rash, Eve Lindley, Monica Raymund, Guillermo Diaz, Jai Rodriguez, Amanda Bearse, Debra Messing, Peter Kim, Justin Covington, Symone, Ryan Faucett and Becca Blackwell.

Director Nicholas Stoller’s new movie, Bros, is an absolutely delightful film that is definitely groundbreaking for a big movie studio to make. It’s a hilariously funny, yet important cinematic milestone in movie history. In a cinematic rarity, a romantic comedy film is about characters whose sexual preference is a key ingredient to the plot, yet almost anybody of any background could really enjoy it regardless of their personal beliefs or opinions. Billy Eichner is the star and co-writer of this new LGBTQ+ comedy that makes an impression on the viewer that is likely to leave a smile on the face of anyone watching this well-written and enjoyable new film.

Eichner stars as Bobby, a podcast show host who also has aspirations to open a new LGBTQ+ museum in New York City. Bobby needs to focus on the themes of certain aspects of the museum, but more importantly, he needs $5 million in funding for the museum to launch. His advisory board consists of some hysterically written and believable characters such as Wanda (Miss Lawrence), Cherry (Dot-Marie Jones) and Angela (TS Madison of Zola). They all share a vision of creating an important, innovative museum that will add to New York culture and shed light on the history of the board’s own population.

Bobby is unlucky in love and even in casual encounters with other men. Using hook up apps, he finds himself meeting odd people. For example, one guy he talks to on a hook up app demands a picture of Bobby’s butt and when Bobby sends it, he is immediately blocked. Before that, a guy Bobby hooks up with simply gets off and leaves Bobby wondering what the heck is going on there.

Soon Bobby’s world changes when he meets a seemingly ordinary man named Aaron (Luke Macfarlane) who is a financial advisor for people who are creating their last will and testaments. Bobby and Aaron kind of hit it off but they’re not seemingly a match made in heaven. For one, Aaron’s favorite movie is The Hangover which uses a crude term to describe a gay man in the film which bothers Bobby. Still, Bobby and Aaron go on a date to see a gay cowboy movie together, but Aaron, unfortunately, carries a torch for his ex which makes a new relationship with Bobby iffy. Plus, Bobby is seemingly not Aaron’s type. Aaron seems to have a wandering eye for muscular types.

There is an absolutely great scene in this movie with Debra Messing playing herself. The “Will & Grace” star is forced to hear Bobby complain about being ghosted by Aaron. Messing hilariously reminds Bobby that she is not “Grace” in real life. In other words, Messing isn’t supposed to be listening to gay men complain about their relationship problems. Rather, Messing has simply come to help financially with the museum’s funding but gets so insulted by Bobby that she asks for a lesbian to assist her in exiting the museum. Messing all but steals the major scene she’s in and her presence here is one of the many highpoints of this finely executed movie.

Back to the romance, though. Aaron and Bobby struggle with their needs, wants and desires in the romance and sex department. Bobby is also forced to try to learn to trust Aaron but when Bobby finally meets his would-be romantic partner’s parents, Bobby gets into a heated dispute with Aaron’s mom, Anne, who is a 2nd grade school teacher. Anne is wonderfully played by Amanda Bearse of “Married…with Children.”

Bros rests on its terrific chemistry between its stars. Eichner and Macfarlane are fantastic together and create some very believable onscreen chemistry. Their relationship is slightly based on sex at one point but is so much deeper than that overall. These two actors play off each other with great precision making their relationship very enjoyable to watch.

The icing on the cake is a scene where Bobby pretends to be a muscle head and goes home with a man at the gym who is obsessed with working out. Bobby does this by faking a personality and voice that later leads to his embarrassment. That being said, Bobby can’t help but start a conversation with this guy about Barbra Streisand when he sees the muscle head is a fan. It’s too late, though, cause the damage has already been done.

Eichner’s character is so on point that we like him despite his flaws. His humanity is expertly portrayed by Eichner who demands attention whenever he’s on the screen with his layered, complex and very human performance. Macfarlane also creates a multi-faceted character as well. It’s a star-making performance by Macfarlane, for sure.

Bros has some nice cameos too by the likes of Ben Stiller, Amy Schumer and several others. The ideas for the LGBTQ+ museum turn out to be rather creative too. Though, Abraham Lincoln may or may not have been gay or bisexual, the movie makes us laugh just by considering the idea for a section of the new museum Bobby wants to open.

While Bobby occasionally makes some poor choices in the movie, he always demands our attention and Bros is a delightful movie to experience for just about anyone. It’s a smart, funny and touching film that may just leave audience members with a tear in their eye at the end thanks to the moving central relationship of the picture. It’s an excellent film.

Rating: 9/10

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