Fire Island

Over the years, LGBTQ+ representation has widened and become more mainstream in the world of cinema, which is remarkable. Films that have garnered the bulk of popularity include Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain, and Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name, and the traits shared between these three excellently written films are that they are, for the most part, dramas. And though it is not a poor quality to retain, it can be somewhat dreary after such a large amount of monotonous films featuring the brutal reality for those in the LGBTQ+ community, so it is rather refreshing to see a movie accompanied by colorful vibes and aesthetics. Films that come to mind are Greg Berlanti’s Love, Simon, and Alice Wu’s The Half of it, which include comedic and charismatic qualities that help set a heartwarming tone for audiences. And now to add to the list will be Hulu’s Original Film, Fire Island, directed by Andrew Ahn (Driveways, Spa Night). At the core of Ahn’s latest feature, we watch as five gay best friends, who consider each other family, join together again to vacation on a predominantly gay island to party and mingle with anyone willing. And though their annual plans on this island rarely shift course, a sudden change of plans effectively pushes their group to the limits. 

Although romantic comedies are not immediately eye-catching, something about this film is captivating for the most part and I feel credit must be given to the cast. Each member of the ensemble blends well for the majority of the film, delivering dialogue in great comedic timing while also effectively convincing audiences that these characters have known each other for years. Their bombastic and quirky characters mix well with the tone of the film, darting the aesthetic further into a place that feels colorful which is quite fitting. And as for the writing, I must say, screenplay writer Joel Kim Booster, writes an enjoyable script including snappy dialogue mixed with somewhat decent heartfelt conversation for characters without it becoming overly sappy. And with Booster also cast as our protagonist, it’s evident his future projects will consist of diverse accents. Fire Island is especially special due to it being a film diving further into the community, and culture of the LGBTQ+ rather than telling the same story again. The film instead takes a different route by expanding and educating those unaware or at least, uneducated about the specific community. It is quite invigorating to endure a film with unique motives, detaching itself and creating a more modern ambiance.  

In regards to the style of filmmaking, it comes off as quite bland for the most part. Stagnant establishing shots, while featuring little to no color motifs or symbolism within cinematography. Fire Island incorporates what I would call, “millennial humor”, using jokes that pertain to the specific generation to amass laughter by attempting to be relatable. And in a way, the humor actually works for the most part, but it’s not to say it doesn’t get old, because it most certainly does but it does not necessarily take away from the charm of the film. The genuine flaws of this film reveal themselves towards the second act, flaws such as lack of substance for one, and overused clichés scattered around frantically. The substance is almost nowhere to be seen, and the film moderately dwindles down to a classic romantic comedy utilizing countless clichés that are sure to force a yawn from audiences. The film is not looking to impress or even attempt to generate any real symbolism, instead, it boils down to a high-budget hallmark film with better writing. But even with these imperfections, the film definitely knows what it is trying to be, it’s a film looking to entertain and represent a specific community in an amusing fashion. The lightheartedness brings this film together beautifully, and with the sharp dialogue, witty humor, and beyond idiosyncratic cast, it is sure to bring a laugh out of anyone watching. 

Overall, Andrew Ahn’s Fire Island is a surprising hit and a fitting start to the summer. It is guaranteed to pluck a cackle from you while also informing those lacking knowledge in an entertaining method. There are qualities to love about this film, and there are flaws to induce eye-rolling but at the end of the day, Hulu’s Fire Island is a perfect summer film for those desiring comedic representation. The energy is unmatched and the hijinks are sure to incite laughter.