FIRE ISLAND (2022) – Review

Hey, what’s that in the rear-view mirror? Silly, it’s Memorial day, which means that it’s high time you planned your summer “vacay” getaway. And though many folks travel solo, why not be part of an annual tradition with longtime friends? How does a tropical island sound for a locale? Well, this new flick can certainly provide the latter, but the former…well….This destination is pretty darn close to Long Island which isn’t that far from Manhatten Island and…a big sprawling urban center with no palm trees in sight. Oh, and since June is Pride Month, this spot is the big warm weather mecca for the LGBTQ set. Oh, did I say warm? Well, this group of pals really turn on the heat when they search for romance on FIRE ISLAND.

The story actually begins on the mainland as nurse Noah (Joel Kim Booster) is jolted awake by his cell phone alarm. And he’s naturally running late, so after a quick “See ya”!” to the previous night’s “entertainment” Noah tosses some clothes in a bag and rushes down to the dock to join his buddies on the ferry to Fire Island. After they “burn” him for his tardiness, Noah (in voice-over) introduces us to his posse. First up is longtime BFF Howie (Bowen Yang), who’s snarky, but a bit reserved and shy. Then there’s the very opposite duo, the out and loud Luke (Matt Rogers) and Keegan (Tomas Matos) who met in theatre class and have been fabulous friends ever since. Much quieter is the intellectual Max (Torian Miller), who is usually “buried in a book”. Once ashore the party moves to their usual retreat house, the place owned by their “den mother” Erin (Margaret Cho). But after the hugs she drops a bombshell on the boys: her “legal settlement cash well” has gone nearly dry, so she’ll soon be selling the place. OMG, this could be their very last vacation here! In order to make this final fling truly memorable, Noah sets up a project. He’ll be the ultimate “wingman” to Howie and ensure that his buddy gets la…er…lucky. That night at the dance club, Noah notices a handsome fella’ checking out Howie, so he approaches that hunk’s trio. The “eye-baller” is Charlie (James Scully), a well-to-do doctor. While they chat, Noah begins a flirtation with one of Charlie’s buddies, the stoic lawyer Will (Conrad Ricamora). Unfortunately, his pal Conner (Nick Adams) is a relentless “blocker” trying to break up the two “possible” pairings. So, will he stand in the way of cupid’s arrow? Or will the rich guys lose interest when they find out that Noah and Howie aren’t part of the “one percent”?

An energetic young cast helps put a new spin on the old “rom-com” tropes. Booster (what an apropos name for his character’s best quality) brings much warmth and intelligence to Noah, a real twist on the “experienced” protagonist (oh, it may help that he also wrote the script). He never backs down, especially when his “family” is derided. You could say this his best pal is somewhat of a “little bro” as Noah devotes himself to the pessimistic Howie, played with great knowing and often caustic wit by the gifted Yang. He’s been doing really solid work as an SNL regular over the last few years (and even gets in a couple of affectionate “digs” at his “day job” here). And although he frequently affects a look of “irregularity” when thwarted, he still becomes the viewers’ main rooting interest. Plus he effortlessly grabs the laughs, while two of his cohorts, Rogers and Tomas, are truly working up a sweat as the exhaustingly flamboyant comic relief tag-team of Luke and Keegan. Unfortunately, this doesn’t give Miller as Max much to do other than be a fussy straight (well, not that much…) man to their over-the-top antics. Cho is an excellent matriarch to all of them, offering some sage advice and healing hugs. As for the new suitors, Scully does his best as the often bland and oblivious “prize catch” Charly (manipulated by too many pursuers), while Ricamora as Will as the smoldering enigma that haunts Noah, though it’s tough to imagine them actually becoming “exclusive” away from their “fantasy island”.

Director Andrew Ahn cranky the freaky fun vibe well past “eleven” for the majority of the tale, giving it a bouncy celebratory feel (these aren’t THE BOYS IN THE BAND). Guilt and shame don’t dock here, unlike many similar tales in cinema’s history. And though they’re certainly older than the college crowds of similar “vacation romance tales” they barely take a breather in their quest for fun and “frolics” (an alternative title could be WHERE THE BOYS ARE…getting very busy). And though the frequent displays of rippling biceps can be distracting (they must’ve had barbells just off-camera range). it’s the affection and, well, brotherhood that really makes this an engaging, often frothy, tale of love’s many near misses. But while Cupid’s aim may not be swift and straight, it hits the target with heart-piercing accuracy. And what tries to squelch the fires of passion? Surprisingly it’s social ‘class clashes” that can scuttle the “love boat”, as some of the fellows believe money can make a “maybe mate” “out of their league. It’s an interesting spin when of many pleasant twists and turns to be discovered amongst the martinis and thongs littering the beaches of FIRE ISLAND.

3 out of 4

FIRE ISLAND is now streaming exclusively on Hulu