Film Review: "Fire Island"

 

Many critics in the industry consider director Andrew Ahn to be an independent film “darling.” He became a director on many people’s radar with 2019’s underseen gem, “Driveways,” with the last performance of character actor Brian Dennehy. “Driveways” was the film that put me on Ahn’s radar and made me excited to see what he’d do next. His latest film, “Fire Island,” premiering on Hulu this week, continues his role of being a director to watch. We follow a pair of friends Noah (Joel Kim Booster) and Howie (Bowen Yang) as they travel to Fire Island with their friend group. What follows is a legendary, week-long summer vacation that they’ll never forget.

I’m so happy to be living in a world where cinema is trying to broaden horizons with equal representation in film. This LGBTQ+ story is treated with the same sincerity and heart as any other romantic, buddy-comedy today. Joel Kim Booster’s screenplay plays out the narrative with real and honest depth. Some of these characters, particularly that outside of the core friend group, definitely feel like archetypes. It’s the sort of complaint that can be applied to any romantic/buddy comedy that is unfortunately never going to go away. The same could be said for the overall narrative, which is something we’ve seen before.

Seeing a group of friends come together for one last “hoorah” before their lives change isn’t new ground. What makes the film surpass these clichés is the core friend group and the relationship between Howie and Noah. Booster and Yang have such an instantaneous rapport that’s delightful to watch. Also included in their friend group are Matt Rogers, Tomás Matos, and Torian Miller. These three are relegated to nothing more but cliched archetypal characters that are funny, but not as interesting narratively.  Thankfully with the focus on more of Howie and Noah, the others serve the “comedic relief” roles well enough. While none of the characters are groundbreaking, when they’re all together it feels like we’re with true friends. This is also a benefit thanks to the direction by Ahn.

As a director, Ahn is someone who thrives on a sensation of naturalism throughout his films.  Alongside his new cinematographer Felipe Vara de Rey, this story is always shot with low light, and even natural light. These create a beautiful atmosphere and connection to these characters paying homage to Jane Austen’s classic “Pride and Prejudice.” Audiences know the destination, but it’s the journey that matters. Sometimes in stories like these, it's the journey that makes up for the lackluster destination. The screenplay by Booster rewards audiences by fleshing out these main characters.  Yang and Booster feel like real friends, which makes the more melodramatic elements forgivable. Especially when we can begin to see where their final destinations as characters will go.

There’s a saying to describe certain films that the “journey is better than the destination.” In the case of this film, that saying couldn’t be more valid and beneficial to know going in. The charm of “Fire Island” is spending time with all of these colorful characters. Including other standouts in the story like Margaret Cho and Conrad Ricomora, each interaction is like meeting a new friend. It’s how these friends preserve their week-long getaway that makes for something quite unique. The challenges they face aren’t necessarily groundbreaking, but continue to help their friendship grow.  Seeing that growth certainly left me with a heft smile on my face once the credits rolled.

“Fire Island” is a mainstream comedy that fits perfectly on a streaming platform like Hulu.  It has the sensibilities of an independent film but never loses sight of its character-driven story. The combination of both Booster and Ahn prioritizes character over plot, which could split audiences. Your feelings for the film will depend on how much you try to connect with these characters. What these characters go through is so identifiable and relatable, that it’s hard not to sympathize with them. Especially when the moments of levity are as exceptionally funny as they wind up being.  As a piece of funny and surprisingly sincere entertainment, it makes for a great watch at home.