Whilst preparing to open America’s first LGBTQ+ museum Bobby (Billy Eichner) finds himself moving away from a life of casual hook-ups as he becomes romantically involved with also struggling-to-commit Aaron (Luke Macfarlane).

Bros, Cert - 15, Run-time - 1 hours 56 minutes, Director - Nicholas Stoller

Bros commits the cinematic sin of being a rom-com that’s over ninety minutes, and it doesn’t quite get away with it. While still having a number of laughs you can feel the run-time being drawn out. Yet, while eager to continue exploring and developing ideas the film also appears to know that it needs to wrap up. The run-time is largely down to the fact that while treading the lines of a traditional rom-com Bros unashamedly leans into its big promotional angle of being ‘the first major studio gay rom-com’, also featuring an entirely LGBTQ+ central cast.

Co-writer (alongside director Nicholas Stoller) Billy Eichner leads in an against-type performance as recently-40 gay influencer Bobby. He’s getting ready to open America’s first LGBTQ+ museum, however there’s disagreement over what the final exhibit should be. An area exploring the idea that Abraham Lincoln was a closeted homosexual, or a Hall Of Bisexuals? Each member of the board has their own strong views, perhaps none more than a scene-stealing Jim Rash, leading to a number of chuckles within the representation-based arguments.

However, Bobby’s focus isn’t entirely on the museum as he begins to enter a relationship with Luke Macfarlane’s Aaron. Both are very single and spend their free time engaging in quick hook-ups with matches on Grindr. However, despite initial hesitancy from both parties a bond forms. It shouldn’t work “we’re from different worlds. I’m from New York City, you’re from upstate New York”, yet it’s made clear through more intimate scenes - as opposed to the humour and lack of emphasis in other sex scenes - that there’s something between them.

Amongst this there’s clear self-awareness from the film about the relationships it’s depicting and gay representation in pop-culture. Certain scenes, such as the pair leaving another gay cowboy movie with straight leads or the Hallmark channel now making inclusive Christmas films such as “A Holly Poly Christmas”, are pitched with an effective satire. It leans into the ‘first of its kind’ push without feeling overbearing or the main element of the film. Yes, it may mean the run-time is pushed, but there’s still plenty of amusement to be found within the various laughs held in the third act and its more largely traditional rom-com stylings.

Away from the humour Bros also includes moments of surprise in its more serious moments. Particularly in an effective character-based monologue from Bobby when sat on a beach with Aaron. The point where, if it hasn’t shown it clearly enough already, the film shows that it’s more than just its marketing points. The film as a whole works rather well from its landmark studio movie perspective while never forgetting the core narrative/s at the centre of it. It remembers its rom-com basis and travels along those lines rather well. Providing plenty of amusement and satire along the way.

Jamie Skinner -Four stars