{"id":20266,"date":"2022-09-28T19:34:07","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T02:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/?p=20266"},"modified":"2022-10-06T08:48:43","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T15:48:43","slug":"bros-2022-billy-eichner-romcom-lgbtq-evolve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/bros-2022-billy-eichner-romcom-lgbtq-evolve\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Bros&#8217; Brings The Modern Rom-Com Into A New Age (&#038; It&#8217;s About Time)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Step aside, Harry and Sally. There\u2019s a new hit romantic comedy taking the stage and breaking boundaries. <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atomtickets.com\/movies\/bros\/317046\">Bros<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, the first gay, adult romantic comedy from a major Hollywood studio is finally here. Billy Eichner stars as Bobby Leiber, a commitment-phobic museum curator who is happy being single. However, when he&#8217;s hired to write a romantic comedy, he realizes that he has no idea what being in a relationship\u2013or in love\u2013is like. That changes when he meets the built, macho lawyer, Aaron. Much to his dismay, Bobby finds himself maybe, possibly, oh God, falling in love with Aaron. Cue the freakout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In between the fun and romance, however, <em>Bros<\/em> is a movie that has the potential to make a big impact on Hollywood\u2013finally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8216;Bros&#8217; Is Making History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bros | Official Trailer [HD]\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BQIeBB9XMe8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not to say that LGBTQ+ rom-coms haven\u2019t been made before, but most of them have been smaller independent films restricted to home releases, or at best, limited theatrical releases. 20th Century Fox\u2019s <em>Love, Simon<\/em> (2018) saw a worldwide theatrical release, though the film was targeted at teenage audiences, rather than mature audiences. More recently, streaming services have debuted LGBTQ+ romantic comedies, including <em>Fire Island<\/em> (2022) and <em>Happiest Season<\/em> (2020), but neither of these saw theatrical releases. Having a wide theatrical release shows that adult LGBTQ+ stories are just as worthy of production and distribution as heteronormative love stories and allows LGBTQ+ adults \u2013 who have long since sat through those heteronormative stories \u2013 the opportunity to see themselves reflected on the big screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even more noteworthy is that <em>Bros<\/em> will not only be the first gay romantic comedy from a major studio, but also the first written by a gay man and with an entirely LGBTQ+, racially diverse main cast. When the LGBTQ+ community is free to tell their own stories, it creates a welcoming, truthful setting free of stereotypes. That said, we can still expect plenty of clich\u00e9s \u2013 it <em>is<\/em> a romantic comedy, after all. And what exactly are these romantic cliches and tropes that we all know and love? Let&#8217;s take a look!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Meet-Cute<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-1-1024x716.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-1-1024x716.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-1-980x685.jpg 980w, https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-1-480x336.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The beginning, most quintessential ingredient to any good rom-com is the meet-cute. It\u2019s always the people that aren\u2019t looking for love that happen to bump into someone at the right place at the right time \u2013 or maybe the wrong time, to be reconciled during the movie. It\u2019s serendipitous, like Jonathan and Sara of the aptly titled <em>Serendipity<\/em> (2001) grabbing the same pair of black, cashmere gloves during the busy holiday shopping season. Even better is when those two people are exact opposites in every way possible, like independent bookstore owner Kathleen and mega-chain heir Joe of the beloved <em>You\u2019ve Got Mail<\/em> (1998). With modern single life being weighed down by disappointing dating apps, who wouldn\u2019t want a charming meet-cute? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Bros<\/em> delivers perfectly on this trope. Assuring his friends that he enjoys being single \u2013 a phrase every single person has said to convince themselves that they are not at all lonely \u2013 museum curator Bobby Lieber, played by Billy Eichner, makes his way through one discouraging Grindr match after the next, until he bumps into Aaron, otherwise known as \u201c<em>gay Tom Brady<\/em>,\u201d at a club. He\u2019s totally not Bobby\u2019s type at all. Unless he is? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mismatched Messiness Meets Flirtatious Banter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-3-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-3-980x653.jpeg 980w, https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-3-480x320.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When opposites attract, things are seldom easy. As is expected from Billy Eichner, Bobby is unapologetically loud and snarky, while Aaron is more reserved about his sexuality, and this results in some butting of heads between the two love interests. Their back-and-forth witty banter is a classic rom-com element, acting as another form of flirting and elevating the sexual tension to bring the couple closer and closer together until things can only go one way or another: a desperate kiss or a separation of ways. Some of the most memorable banter of any romantic comedy comes from the beloved Nora Ephron, with the equally matched cleverness of Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in <em>When Harry Met Sally\u2026 <\/em>(1989) no doubt taking the cake. What more is there to do on a car ride than talk and grow closer? Whether the intentions are to simply be friends or to merely tolerate the presence of one another, the conversations of love and relationships are destined to go somewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Confidants &amp; Besties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-5-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-5-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-5-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The confidant has always played an important role in any rom-com. They\u2019re the friend that the protagonist can go to for relationship advice. How is anyone supposed to figure out anything about this crazy thing called romance if not for the help of a best friend? Preferably a levelheaded one that can talk the protagonist down from the ledge when romantic drama is threatening to drive them crazy. It could be a long-time friend, a colleague, a roommate, or maybe even a family member willing to provide some insight and perspective on the relationship. George Downes takes on this role as the gay best friend of Jules Potter in <em>My Best Friend\u2019s Wedding <\/em>(1997), being the only one capable of giving her sound advice regarding the crush she has on Michael, a.k.a. her friend who\u2019s already engaged. But there\u2019s a twist of events in <em>Bros<\/em>, where it\u2019s now the gay man seeking guidance from the straight best friend. Bobby goes to his straight best friends and overly proud allies, Tina and Edgar, for advice on how to best handle his newfound attraction to Aaron, thinking there\u2019s no way he could be Aaron\u2019s type. Whether or not Bobby will take their advice remains to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Found Family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"415\" src=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-4-1024x415.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-4-980x398.jpg 980w, https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-4-480x195.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Bros<\/em> isn\u2019t just any typical rom-com, though. As much as the film is for all audience members, it still is very much a gay love story. It doesn\u2019t shy away from this fact, and certainly doesn\u2019t apologize for it. While some may want to argue that straight relationships and LGBTQ+ relationships are the same, Bobby is not quiet about his opinion on the matter at all and feels that they\u2019re vastly different. That\u2019s not just limited to romantic relationships, either. For Bobby, even straight friendships are different from LGBTQ+ friendships, made apparent in the found family, or chosen family, trope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Different from the sole confidant, the found family often consists of a group of close, united misfits that come together (and choose to stay together) based on shared experiences and connections. Often, this bond feels stronger than any biological bond. While the found family is not a standard rom-com trope \u2013 though films like <em>How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days <\/em>(2003) do involve groups of workplace friendships \u2013 it is a common LGBTQ+ trope. Bobby\u2019s friends and co-workers at the LGBTQ+ museum fight and bicker constantly, but they\u2019re still a family at the end of the day, and they know they\u2019ll always have each other for support when both personal and professional endeavors get tough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Breakup (&amp; Inevitable Make-Up)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-trailer-1280x720-1-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-trailer-1280x720-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-trailer-1280x720-1-980x551.jpeg 980w, https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bros-trailer-1280x720-1-480x270.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>All that snarky, flirtatious banter and long nights discussing the pros and cons of a romantic relationship must go somewhere, though. Miscommunication leading to one big blowup always ensues, leading one or both parties to give up and walk away. Happily in rom-coms, though, they soon after have a change of heart and come back to their partner, trying to atone and win back their love. Think <em>The Proposal <\/em>(2009). In other cases, both parties agree that a romantic relationship just isn\u2019t in the cards for them \u2013 most famously done in <em>Casablanca <\/em>(1942). In which direction will Bobby and Aaron go? You\u2019ll just have to head to theaters and find out for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Bros<\/em> is in theaters on Friday, September 30th. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atomtickets.com\/movies\/bros\/317046\">Get<em> Bros <\/em>tickets now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Step aside, Harry and Sally. There\u2019s a new hit romantic comedy taking the stage and breaking boundaries. Bros, the first gay, adult romantic comedy from a major Hollywood studio is finally here. Billy Eichner stars as Bobby Leiber, a commitment-phobic museum curator who is happy being single. However, when he&#8217;s hired to write a romantic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":20267,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[40,37],"class_list":["post-20266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial","tag-featuredpage","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20266"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20285,"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20266\/revisions\/20285"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atomtickets.com\/movie-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}