I’m Lucy and I’m a film studies major and a creative writing minor at Winona State University. This semester I’ll be releasing content for my series “Helpful or Harmful? The Depiction of LGBTQIA+ People in Contemporary Film”. I will be critiquing the depiction of the LGBTQIA+ community in movies today as a member of the community myself. I hope you’ll stick around! I’ll be releasing new content every Friday alternating between written and video film reviews!
WARNING: DISCUSSION OF MATURE CONTENT
Bros is a 2022 comedy written and directed by Nicolas Stoller, as well as written by and starring Billy Eichner as Bobby Leiber, a podcast host who has become bored with hookup culture but has never been able to maintain a serious relationship. He meets Aaron (Luke Macfarlane) who is facing a similar dilemma. Bonding over their commitment issues, Aaron and Bobby find themselves drawn to each other and end up developing a relationship that might actually end up being more than a hookup. This sex positive film is chalk full of hilarious pop culture references as well as an admirable depiction of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Billy Eichner offered a more sensitive and vulnerable side of himself in Bros. I knew Billy Eichner as the boisterous man on the street as well as Craig on Parks and Recreation where he essentially played himself. He’s very loud and always has a remark to offer. However, in Bros, Billy Eichner delivered a new kind of performance. Bobby Leiber was Billy’s self-insert, that’s for sure, but I also think that creating this character was Billy’s way of shying away from his boisterous persona for a moment. Though we get the chaotic Billy Eichner energy that we love in Bros, it’s also filled with emotional moments and the audience is able to connect with Bobby Leiber as we learn of his hopes and desires and feelings. I know a lot of people who find it difficult to connect with Billy Eichner because he presents this persona which causes audiences to view him as the manic gay running around the streets of New York and scoffing at people for their lack of pop culture knowledge. However, it’s clear to see while watching Bobby Leiber that Billy Eichner shares the same insecurities as this character. Nicolas Stoller and Eichner articulate these insecurities beautifully in the script, undoubtedly making it relatable for other gay men who have been told that they need to tone it down because they’re “too gay” and somebody is embarrassed of them because of it. Aaron introduces Bobby to his family but then tells Bobby that he’s being “too much” and essentially needs to hide his true self. As far as LGBTQIA+ rights have come, there’s a long way to go, and identifying attitudes like this helps educate audiences on the subject. Bobby’s strong personality stems from his interest and the inspiration he takes from LGBTQIA+ icons and activists, as throughout the entire movie he works to make New York City’s first LGBTQIA+ museum a reality while simultaneously hosting a podcast detailing the journeys of all his LGBTQIA+ influences.
Hookup culture is the way of the modern world and it’s always interesting to watch another film that recognizes this. Where some films capture the excitement and passion of hookup culture, Bros is more about Bobby feeling disconnected from the hookup scene in New York City. He discusses his post hookup blues and details his experience of being in his 40s and never having been in a serious relationship. I did think that this movie would be more raunchy than it actually was, but the viewer will most definitely get their fill of hot and heavy (occasionally polyamorous) gay sex. The main aim of the movie was to show the connection that’s built between Aaron and Bobby that eventually blossoms into a romantic relationship.
Bros is not perfect. Certain parts of the film were reminiscent of a cheesy Hallmark movie. This is a compliment and a criticism. For example, I thought that the song that Bobby sings at the end was incredibly cheesy and I did not like it. On the contrary, I thought that all the scenes filmed in Provincetown made it look like this picture-esque and cozy small town paradise. The shots of New York City were unfailingly magical, especially scenes set during Christmastime which is a fond reminder of Hallmark movies. If you’re looking for a sex positive, LGBTQIA+ film that will make you laugh and cry, Bros might just be the film for you!
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