As Will, Ricamora gets the chance to trick the viewers into thinking this film will fall to rom-com trope hell, but soon shows that he is just trying to protect his queer family like Noah.īowen Yang and James Scully as Howie and Charlie, respectively, are utter perfection every moment they are on screen. While it's clear the two will end up together, their story through the film goes from forced to genuine, with their queerness informing the hesitation amidst every character in this film. It may not seem like Joel Kim Booster's first starring role or his first feature script, as his command of both roles is clear from the very beginning, but it's clear that he will be one to watch after this film.īooster’s script is a wonderful mix of everything needed to make a good queer film, highlighting the little joys that queer people find, like counting down the sunset in ridiculous fashion, yet showing the harsh realities of it, like the heartbreak of Yang’s Howie, who feels lesser because he hasn’t had a boyfriend at 30 and doesn't fit the stereotypical mold he thinks he needs for true love.īooster's role as our protagonist is great as well, mostly because he earns our praise, with his role not really taking flight until the sparks start to fly with Will, played by Conrad Ricamora, Charlie's uptight friend who spends a lot of energy making things hard for Noah's matchmaking dreams.
The film is a rare rom-com that puts the power of its storytelling in its smaller moments, with its actors giving flawless performances, while still staying true to its queerness.Īs we meet Noah’s best friend Howie, played by the exceptional Bowen Yang, along with their other chosen family, including Margaret Cho, Matt Rogers, Tomás Matos, and Torien Miller, we also meet the true Fire Island and the unfortunate truths of the gay scene dominated by white buff gay men looking for sex. Fire Island is the rare film that shows the best and worst of the queer community through a story told on queer terms.įire Island is director Andrew Ahn’s third feature film, with the script by Joel Kim Booster also in his first starring role. Luckily, Fire Island is not only a great adaptation, but a new LGBTQ+ film classic that beautifully translates queer culture to the screen, using its Pride and Prejudice roots to tell a masterful story about race, class, and love against all odds.
Not only to try to even come close to the greatness of the original, but to add something that makes it unique and necessary for the adaptations to even be made in the first place.