Tropic Sprockets / Bros

Tropic Sprockets / Bros

By Ian Brockway

“Bros” is the good natured comedy by Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall). The rom-com has the gently irreverent tone of many Judd Apatow favorites and after all, Apatow is the producer.

While the film is formulaic, it does have belly laughs, and if you can excuse Billy Eichner’s character and the chatter which gets a bit repetitive, this film will make you smile.

Bobby (Eichner) is a lonely podcaster. One day he is online and casually chats with Aaron (Luke Macfarlane). After feeling a little chemistry, the two agree to meet. But as Aaron has widely different tastes in sports and music, Bobby is convinced the two have no future. 

Then they have a picnic.

The sex scenes are actually funny. The facial gestures combined with the impossibly contorted bodies make for most of the comic moments.

The bookish, cerebral Bobby is attracted to the muscular beefcake Aaron, although Aaron himself goes against the jock cliché. As it turns out, Aaron wants to make his own designer chocolates.

The two become inseparable and the usual narrative is followed: chemistry is ignited, a connection is made, a misunderstanding arises, a reconciliation is attempted. The only difference is the romance is centered on two men. And there should well be more mainstream gay-themed films that portray gay characters as conventional and mild mannered.

The film does have dramatic pull. Bobby’s longing to find a genuine caring man is well handled and the conflict scenes pull at the heart. Bobby’s non-stop critique on LBGTQ matters does get circular and while this is Eichner’s role, it does become overbearing to listen to.

While “Bros” is a little too tame and begs to take more risk, this is a fun film and a welcome addition to the Stoller/Apatow canon including films like “40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Get Him to the Greek”.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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