Friday, 03 July 2009

• Three Classic Bromances

  The Bromantic Comedy has only been a recognized genre for the past few years, due primarily to the rising popularity of movies by Judd Apatow and his band of merry stoners. But long before Superbad or I Love You, Man, there were the original bromances. You could argue that Romeo and Juliet evidences a bromance between Romeo and Mercutio. Even the ancient Greeks were bromantic: while there may have been more ro- than bro- in their relationship, Achilles and Patroclus were pretty darn close.
  
  

  
  

  
  But I'm not concerned with plays, Greek tragedies, and mythology--that's way too academic for a Friday. Instead, I give you three classic bromances from cinema: Some Like it Hot, Diner, and Top Gun.
  
  

  Some Like it Hot (1959)
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  While the romantic arc follows Tony Curtis and the smokin'-hot Marilyn Monroe, the true heart of the film is the relationship between Curtis and Jack Lemmon. These two Hollywood legends--and Marilyn herself--are in their prime, earning the film AFI's top spot in the 100 best comedies as of 2000. Seeing men in drag is always funny, but seeing men in drag surrounded by beautiful women is even funnier. What's remarkable is how modern the movie feels, and how funny it is even 50 years later.
  
  

  Diner (1982)
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Who ever said a bromance is a game for two? Barry Levinson's Diner is the story of six best friends reunited for a wedding. It's not a straight-up comedy, but it earns its laughs. The movie is so good it makes you nostalgic for a life you may never have had, probably because the character types are universal (everyone has a passive-aggressive friend like Paul Reiser's Modell). Every performance is spot-on, reminding you why Mickey Rourke's comeback is so impressive. Special props to Steve Guttenberg, who proves that he's a better actor than just Officer Mahoney. Also, the infamous popcorn trick ranks up there with the Trojan Horse as one of the most brilliant guydeas in history.
  
  

  Top Gun (1986)
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  I know there's been a double dose of Top Gun on Mancouch today, but it's my birthday present to Tom Cruise (he turns 47 today; his Thetan turns 3,830,001). If you haven't seen Top Gun, you probably have no business being on Mancouch. It's a perfect mix of awesome Air Force action, 1980s-Tom-Cruise romance (for the ladies), and brotastic shenanigans. The relationship between Maverick and Goose speaks to every guy who watches the movie and makes us wish we, too, had a Goose.
  
  Note: Top Gun may indeed drop the bro- and become a straight-up man-on-man lovefest. Here's some evidence:
  
  
  
  So. What are your picks for some classic bromances?
  

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