Fire Island Review: Modern Pride & Prejudice Adaptation Is Heartfelt & Funny
It is a truth universally acknowledged that any adaptation of Jane Austen’s work is worth watching at least once. There will never be enough adaptations of the beloved books written by the English novelist as the themes and characters of her books continue to resonate. It is doubtful that Austen ever thought her books would hold so much weight in the 21st century, but it is even harder to imagine that her crown jewel, Pride and Prejudice, would be held in such high regard by a gay Korean American comedian named Joel Kim Booster, who loosely adapted Austen's novel in Fire Island. Booster’s story doesn’t need the conventions built by Austen, but his writing is a searing reminder that Austen’s tale is deeply rooted in universal themes that can and will resonate with anyone.
Fire Island, directed by Andrew Ahn, replaces the Bennetts with a chosen family of five gay men headed by their chosen matriarch Erin (Margaret Cho). The story follows these men and their antics as they visit queer haven, Fire Island, for what might be their last time together. Executive producer and writer Booster stars as Noah (effectively in the role of Elizabeth Bennett). His Mr. Darcy is played by How To Get Away With Murder’s Conrad Ricamora. In the Jane role is the iconic SNL star Bowen Yang, with James Scully playing his Mr. Bingley, Charlie. Matt Rogers and Tomás Matos team up as the raucous pair Luke and Keegan (Lydia and Kitty). Torian Miller rounds out the family unit as their Mary, Max. Zane Phillips rounds out the cast, playing the dastardly handsome and sleazy Dex, (aka, Wickham).
Related: Fire Island: 10 TV Shows and Movies Where You’ve Seen The Cast Before
The ensemble melds together beautifully, establishing decades worth of friendship
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