KOM-LB-ed (BABY SOFT LIKE EYEBROW HAIR) BROMANCE WIN: PART 1 ♥
I apologize for the delay. And the wordiness of this particular entry. I've bolded the particularly bromantic part because some of you seem to really like those. Pervs.
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Ryan Higa and Wongfu Productions have teamed up to bring us a new short film from Mr. Higa's recurring "Word of the Day" series. The latest episode, entitled "Bromance" guest stars the oh-so-color-coordinated Jay Park, otherwise known as the "REALLY HOT NEW GUY" by YouTube commenters all over.
The film opens at an unassuming boba joint where Wongfu's Philip Wang and Mr. Park are happily reunited after what we can assume is a long, devastating period apart. As the two engage in a casual man-hug, the scene fake freezes for Mr. Higa's opening monologue. Consequentially, the pseudo-still frame prolongs the background pair's awkward physical contact and Mr. Park's not-so-unnoticeable blinking.
Setting the stage for the rest of the film, a definition of BROMANCE is panned across the screen, with commentary giving a very accurate etymological history of the word and the wondrous man-made desert architecture built by its originators, the Romans.
Mr. Park and Mr. Higa re-enact "an act of bromanstication" by the mighty Asian Romans who built the pyramids. In his YouTube acting debut, Park confidently throws himself into the role with his authentic Roman-era armor, imposing battle axe, and enthusiastic man smack to his co-star's derriere. While Mr. Higa initially looks startled at the unexpected show of affection, his expression quickly melts into an expression of enjoyment and acceptance, spurring on many future generations of locker room butt slaps.
In addition to the film's historical substance, the emotional depth is present in full force with the following scene where Mr. Park portrays a grieving man's sorrow over the loss of his canine companion Peatry. Mr. Higa plays the comforting friend, with a single violin somberly accompanying as he lightly clasps a single consoling hand on Park's mourning shoulder. The poignant scene is dramatically broken by a single, bold, harshly accusatory word that is stamped across the screen:
The duo's impressive chemistry, however, also extends into conveying considerable sexual subtext. In one scene, the two stand outside as Park slowly sips from a straw as Higa looks on with barely concealed desire at both his friend and the innocent beverage.
"It looks really good," Higa breathes, intently staring at Park's pale, clear face.
"It is," Park replies, finally gazing at Higa for the first time.
"Can I have a sip?"
While it remains unclear exactly whether it is the drink or Park himself that Higa wishes would quench his thirst, the sudden aggressiveness with which he uses to attack the drink can only suggest
The tension between the two reaches a climax in the ending scene as they greet each other on a sunny, beautiful Californian day. They both initially feign casualness with a guy handshake, but their small talk quickly escalates the tenor of their discourse with comments on how the one looks good and the other's haircut. The simmering emotions beneath the surface burst through as Higa missteps and reaches out to caresses Park's silky hair. Park's initial delight upon hearing the first compliment on his hair in months falters as his friend's thumb not-so-accidentally strokes the milky white skin of his ear. Undeterred, Higa's intense and amorous gaze reveals his feelings for the worlds to see, as he waxes poetic over Park's hair, "soft like eyebrow hair."
These words smash the last pieces of their relationship's casual front, leaving them in a painful and endlessly awkward silence. However, even with their defenses completely fallen, still neither can step forward, neither can look each other in the eye with complete honesty.
Higa, desperately trying to salvage the shards of their friendship weakly moves on to talking about the weather. Park, in true Ennis del Mar fashion (Heath Ledger's character from Brokeback Mountain) uncomfortably looks away and in relief jumps on the new, safer avenue of conversation.
Viewers are left unsatisfied, wishing for more and what could have been.
Truly a classic masterpiece.
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Here is a compilation of what other esteemed critics (AKA YouTube commenters) have said about this film:
"OMG MY DAD CHANGED HIS DIAPER BEFORE"
"i hope iw asnt the only 1 who looked up to see if the romans really built pyramids" (Just fail.)
"OMGWTFBBQ! It's jay!" (I just found that use of internet slang hilarious.)
"almost 1/5 percent of bromances end up in a dudevorce :'c"
"WHY HASN'T THE WORLD EXPLODED FROM THE AWESOME YET"
"Bromance: Evidence used to support fan fiction writer's theories."
"more intense bromancing next time 4 the creepy fangirlsss.... like me. *-*"
"That guy Jay is a a Browhore"
Al l in all, a successful YouTube skit debut for Jay Park, no?
