By: Cody Englander, Contributor

[Universal Pictures; 2022]

Rating: 6.5/10

“Bros” is a 95 minute rom-com that hits in all the right places. Unfortunately, the actual runtime of the film is 115 minutes if you count the opening. It starts off on the wrong foot with an awkward character introduction and jokes that aren’t nearly as funny as the rest of the movie. The finale and the climax are corny (what do you expect from a Judd Apatow produced movie?), but overall work for the movie’s theme of how love changes to fit our soulmate.

A lot of the humor is based on references to pop culture, which can turn away some audience members – and for me, that was the weakest part. There are many talented comedians in “Bros” who didn’t get to use their full potential because of this, and the movie is worse off for it. This isn’t to trash all the jokes, because when they hit, they hit hard. I actually found myself laughing a lot throughout. Whether or not you find Billy Eichner funny, this movie definitely deserves a watch. It has some humor of his ‘Billy of the Street’ character, but there are well crafted jokes that show his comedic development since his “Parks and Rec” days. He brings a depth to his character that works for the movie he’s in. This is easily one of the funniest movies of the year, and that is in most part thanks to the lead.

Billy’s co-lead, Luke Macfarlane, also brings out a good performance, having been in mostly Hallmark-adjacent Christmas movies before this. They have good chemistry and develop into a really believable couple. This is the heart of the movie, and “Bros” really perfects the relationship aspect, from the romance, to the ups and downs, to the eventual breakup and inevitable reunion at the end.

Sadly, the end left a bad taste in my mouth. The emotional climax left me emotionless, the conclusion was rushed and left me not wanting to see it a second time, despite how much fun I had. Even though I have my gripes with it, this is an enjoyable watch, and is well worth your time.