Fire Island

We have seen very little portrayal of gay Asian American men in US movies and this film takes care of that aspect. Set in the vacation-destination of any gay person’s dream the film explores the friendships and romances experienced by the eccentric group of friends on their week-long outing. To be honest, the excitement for me to watch this film was to see locations, clubs etc that I have visited a few times and just for nostalgia sake. Its been almost 10 years since I went to Fire Island, but I have such fond memories from my trips to Cherry Grove, Pines, Ice Palace (which features in the film) among other things.

We are introduced to the gang of 5 friends. Noah, the head, is sort of the lead and passionate about his friends. His besets friend of more than 10 years is Howie who has never had a boyfriend and he decides that on this trip, he won't hook up till he gets Howie laid. We also meet the three other friends who complete the gang and Erin, their lesbian mother, who got money in lottery, was able to buy a house in FireIsland , which is where these "poor" gay gang stays in the summer. On their first day on island, they bump into Charlie and Will, the good looking, successful, rich kind of gays. Howie and Charlie hit it off really well but Noah and Will rub each other the wrong way. Noah pushes Howie to hook up with Charlie, but the duo are really enjoying each other's company. Things get complicated, when a hot playboy enters the scene and flirts with Noah and the gang, but there is some secret about him that Will knows and wants to tell him, but he just hates Will for his obnoxious behavior and will hear none of it. Thats not it. Charlie's ex-boyfriend arrives on the scene again and Howie is left heart broken again. BY this time, you know where the story is headed. Charlie realizes his mistake and in a very filmy way apologizes to Howie asking him back and Will and Noah get to understand and know each other better and in fact take it one step further. The five friends' friendship is also tested by the hot playboy and when his secrets are revealed. But thankfully, all in all there is a happy ending.

The source of inspiration here clearly is 'Pride & Prejudice'. We maybe in 2022, but within the gay community there is still a whole lot of discrimination wrt body, behavior, ethnicity and of course class and money. Fatphobia, racism, toxic masculinity, and hypersexuality are all very real issues within the queer community. When the two groups in this film go to the parties at each other's house, the disparity becomes very obvious. You see interesting personality traits of everyone in the film. Noah is afraid of putting himself out there for fear of rejection and hence he would rather have quick flings instead of a meaningful vulnerable relationship. Will is quick to form prejudiced opinion of everyone but once you know him well, his heart is in the right place. Howie is the nerdy average Asian gay, who by now believes that no one will ever find him good enough and is surprised by Charlie's interest in him. Charlie is the only plan character who is not given any real depth. The film as a whole has nothing really new to offer and setting a gay rom-com in Fire Island is probably an interesting idea. The fact that this film has come out in the Pride month, for me, makes the viewing of this film extra special. Don't ask me why, but something about this month, celebrations all around you , makes you wanna watch some of these rom coms. The film really shows the physical and emotional desire between Noah and Will, and even Howie and Charlie, highlighting the intricacies of queer relationships.Made for gays and by gays, it has gay lead characters, gay love interests, gay heroes, gay villains, and gay people of color galore. There is no single straight person in this film and I love it. 

It’s a funny, sexy, and fresh film that gives me the same feeling as hanging out with other queer people in queer spaces. That sense of understanding and not needing to hide yourself is captured in the writing and overall good and positive performances in the film. This is old wine in a new bottle, but this works and how. Its the perfect summer gay film with a happy ending that I needed in this pride month. (7.5/10)