With the theatrical release of queer romantic comedy Bros, correspondent Rachel Smith sat down with stars Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane to discuss how the movie impacts the LGBTQ+ community.
As the first big-budget, queer romcom to get a theatrical release, Bros has already made LGBTQ+ history. Though, Eichner shares they never intended for the movie to be historic.
"Truthfully, we never sat down and said 'let's write a historic movie,' because that would be weird," he says. "We sat down and said 'let's write a hilarious movie.' There are historical statistics attached to it -- which is very exciting -- but ultimately, we just want to make people laugh a lot."
Despite their intentions, the weight of the film is not lost on its creators. Macfarlane, who grew up in London, Ontario, says that movie theaters can make all the difference to culture in small towns.
"I'm from the suburbs, and that's where I had access to movies. We didn't have a film forum -- small, independent arthouses -- where I'm from," he shares. "So, that's hugely important. It basically says to the world that your stories are important, you are important, you can have a life, and it's okay -- don't worry about it."
Macfarlane added, "It would blow my mind as a kid."
Despite a growing number of television shows that feature queer characters, Eichner notes that there still remains a glass ceiling for LGBTQ+ people in blockbuster films.
"We have gotten a lot of queer content on streaming, on TV, and that's all wonderful and so important and it's changing lives, but I do think there's something special about seeing something on a big screen. And sitting with other people in public and watching," he says.
Macfarlane agrees, adding, "So much of the queer experience is when we all get together and do things, that's when change happens...It really is about people coming together and saying 'here we are,' and I think that's something that can happen in a movie theater, too."
According to Eichner, it's not just queer audiences that will fall in love with the movie. He believes that all communities will be able to relate to Bros and its honest, funny take on modern dating.
"It's a movie for everyone," Eichner says. "It's a very honest movie about this gay couple, but so much of it is so relatable to everyone.
Watch the full interview here, and catch Bros in theaters starting today, September 30.
